KEN YOU BELIEVE IT !

Fulham finally took the lead on 32 minutes.

It was the outstanding Davies (celebrating, left) who broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick which curled over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Gordon floundering.

Whatever Keane said at half-time certainly did the trick as the hosts looked a completely different outfit after the break.

Dickson Etuhu had a brilliant header saved by Niemi following a Ross Wallace corner.

But it was not until Halford was dismissed that the Black Cats really got into gear.

Anthony Stokes sent Grant Leadbitter racing on goal only for his effort to be brilliantly saved by Finnish stopper Niemi. But after Dio Kamara had a goal ruled out for the Londoners, the hosts struck with a killer blow.

Leadbitter floated in the perfect cross which Trinidad & Tobago star Jones met with a bullet header, giving Niemi no chance.

And in a week in which Sunderland supporters were voted the noisiest in the country, they certainly showed why as the Stadium of Light exploded.

It could have been even better as in injury time as Stokes latched on to a mistake from Elliot Omozusi to put him in on goal. However, Niemi saved the day once again with another brilliant stop.

Sanchez said: "We could have gone home today as losers and that would have been a gross injustice.

"We were undone four minutes from the end having dominated the game s

Yet the recent arrival from Southampton saved the day for 10-man Sunderland with a brilliant headed goal four minutes from time to deny Fulham their first away win in over a year.

A delighted Roy Keane said: "Kenwyne was outstanding.

Confused

"You get days when things will not go your way and, when that happens, you want your top players to step up to the plate.

"When we were down to 10 men he had to play up front on his own yet he was outstanding and showed what a really good team player he is.

"He has not trained all week and had not kicked a ball but he was there when we were asking players to put their bodies on the line."

Jones' strike came as Sunderland dominated the closing exchanges of the game even though they were had right-back Greg Halford sent off for two bookable offences on 66 minutes.

In fact, the Black Cats could easily have won the game had it not been for a couple of outstanding saves from Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi. It left Keane shellshocked. He admitted: "I don't know how I feel — I'm confused! I do not know if I am happy, if I'm sad or frustrated.

"When you go a goal down with 10 men, you have to see it as a point gained rather than two dropped. But it was vital we stayed in the match."

While Keane was unsure about his emotions, Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez had no doubt about the way he was feeling.

His side were four minutes away from recording their first league win away from Craven Cottage since a 2-1 victory at Newcastle in September last year.

When asked if he believes it is a psychological battle his side has to overcome, he said: "I don't know — but it is depressing me!

"Teams are scoring four, five, six and seven goals against the opposition. But our 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth was our worst game of the season so it shows we can compete.

"But we cannot gather three points from just one game — we are getting three points from three games and that makes things difficult for you."

Sanchez would have been delighted with the start his side made as they totally dominated the first half. They should have taken an early lead when Danny Higginbotham was involved in a moment of confusion with keeper Craig Gordon.

Higginbotham appeared to be in two minds about how to clear the danger and instead only laid the ball into the path of visiting striker David Healy. With Gordon off his line the Northern Ireland ace had an open goal to aim at — but his shot went past the post.

Losers

However, Fulham were not to be denied and after Clint Dempsey and Simon Davies went close, o I'm extremely disappointed.

"This was just like the Wigan game which we dominated. It's a scenario we need to sort out.

"If we can play like we did for 90 per cent of our games — apart from the last five minutes — then we will be OK."

Keano also admits he may need to change the way he treats his players in training because of the way things are turning out this season.

He said: "We are looking at the positives but as a manager I have to ask why we were so flat in the first half.

"Maybe we are training too hard and pushing the players. The tackles fly about in training and maybe that is something we will have to look at.

"But I'm delighted with the players' attitude and desire to earn the result and then almost nick it at the end."