Reid back in the pressure zone

Sunderland 0 Fulham 3

A sigh of relief swept around Wearside a fortnight ago with Peter Reid's last-gasp signing of strikers Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart, but with another blank scoreline and just two goals in six games, Sunderland's problems are far from over. Reid has said that it's time to "get back to basics", but he could learn much from Fulham's masterclass display.

Both teams were missing the strikers who had propelled them into the Premiership. For Sunderland, Kevin Phillips's hernia operation gave a second chance for Flo and Stewart to find the necessary spark of a partnership. Louis Saha was missing for Fulham, giving an opportunity for out-of-favour record signing Steve Marlet to impress alongside stalwart Barry Hayles, who was looking for his 50th goal for the Cottagers.

The visitors opened brightly with their trademark passing game but neither side gained an early advantage, Flo and Stewart getting little joy out of centre-backs Alain Goma and the 6ft 6in Zak Knight. Gradually Sunderland began to threaten, winger Matthew Piper looking increasingly like Reid's best summer buy. His speed and skill were a constant danger on Sunderland's right flank, and his header on 30 minutes forced a fine one-handed save from Edwin van der Sar. The following minute Stewart had the home side's best chance of the half after being put clear by Claudio Reyna, but the striker's hesitation allowed Knight to intervene.

Having gained the upper hand, the Wearsiders fell victim to a swift counterattack. On 34 minutes, a cross from left-back Rufus Brevett found Junichi Inamoto, whose emphatic strike from 10 yards gave Thomas Sorensen little chance. For the remainder of the half, Fulham controlled the play, limiting Sunderland to just two weak shots from Flo.

Fulham increased their lead shortly into the second half when Hayles bustled his way past Stephen Wright to slot the ball just inside the post. Reid responded by switching to 4-3-3, bringing on Niall Quinn to partner Flo and Stewart, which signalled a period of Sunderland pressure but few real scoring opportunities.

The game seemed set to peter out, with Sunderland offering little and Fulham content to sit on their lead, but a breakaway goal by Marlet on 78 minutes provided the final highlight to an accomplished display by the visitors. The match played out to boos from the home supporters and cries of "Reid Out", which the board of directors will have noted along with the poor attendance.

Peter Reid said he had "no complaints" about the result, but he must be alone in that view. Sunderland's next match is the derby game at Newcastle. Three years ago, the corresponding fixture saw the departure of another beleaguered manager, Ruud Gullit.

Given the Wearside crowd's reaction to their team's lacklustre display yesterday, humiliation next week could see a similar outcome.