STEVEN FLETCHER had a debut to remember as Sunderland ended Swansea’s 100 per cent start to the season.
Fletcher started to repay his big-money fee following his move from Wolves by striking twice in the first half, either side of Wayne Routledge’s effort for Swansea.
Michu scored his fourth goal in three games for the hosts to level matters, but they then lost defender Chico Flores to a red card for a wild high challenge.
Prior to all that action, Neil Taylor had already been carted off on a stretcher after his leg buckled awkwardly following a challenge with Craig Gardner.
The incident could barely have come at a worse time for Swans boss Michael Laudrup, who later confirmed the Wales left-back had fractured an ankle.
WORRYING SCENES ... Neil Taylor recieves treatment on the pitch
Laudrup said: “I just talked to the doctor and we are still not 10o per cent but there is a fracture, at least one.
“We are talking about a long period of rehabilitation before he returns to the game, I can’t tell you precisely how long because I don’t know.”
Buoyed by their excellent form, Swansea had started with purpose. Routledge had a penalty appeal turned away while Nathan Dyer had a shot saved by Simon Mignolet.
But they were dealt a terrible blow by Taylor’s injury after 16 minutes.
The Team GB ace required prolonged treatment and was given oxygen as he received treatment on his ankle.
Swansea fans were furious that Gardner was not punished over the incident by referee Roger East, making his Premier League debut, but there appeared to be no malice from the Sunderland player.
The atmosphere was muted following Taylor’s departure but the hosts continued to press, with Dyer again being denied by Mignolet.
FINE FINISH ... Wayne Routledge scores for the hosts
Swansea had benefited from defensive errors in their wins over QPR and West Ham, but were hurt by a mistake of their own five minutes before the break.
Ashley Williams’ stubbed his back pass into the ground and Fletcher ran in on goal to despatch a superb low finish beyond Michel Vorm.
Swansea levelled as six minutes of injury-time began.
Dyer and Routledge, who have started the campaign rilliantly, linked again as the former’s scooped pass allowed the latter to flash home a volley.
But parity did not last to the interval as Sebastian Larsson’s free-kick evaded everyone apart from Fletcher, who tapped home at the back post.
GOAL HERO ... Steven Fletcher is congratulated by Adam Johnson
Mignolet pushed away a Dyer volley after more excellent build-up play from the hosts, while Leon Britton volleyed over from a rehearsed corner routine shortly after the break.
The ill-feeling between the sides had been bubbling under the surface since Taylor’s injury, but Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill was furious when Flores escaped punishment for a studs-up lunge on James McClean.
Mignolet did brilliantly to get down to a Jonathan de Guzman free-kick moments later after Gardner, already on a booking for a first-half tackle on Routledge, fouled Danny Graham.
Michu then came close to adding to his tally as his header into the ground from De Guzman’s cross bounced up and just over the bar.
But the same combination found the leveller on 66 minutes. De Guzman’s delivery was again pinpoint and Michu’s powerful header gave Mignolet no chance.
Swansea’s chances of finding a winner all but disappeared when Flores saw red for a wild high-footed challenge that grazed substitute Louis Saha’s head.
Swansea: Vorm, Rangel, Williams, Chico, Taylor (Davies 20), Dyer, Britton, De Guzman, Routledge (Tate 73), Michu (Ki 78),Graham. Subs not used: Tremmel, Shechter, Moore, Agustien. Sent off: Chico (71). Booked: Williams.
Goals: Routledge 45, Michu 66.
Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Cuellar, O’Shea, Colback, Johnson, Larsson, Cattermole (Meyler 38), McClean, Sessegnon (Campbell 84), Fletcher (Saha 67). Subs not used: Westwood, Kilgallon, Ji, Bramble. Booked: Gardner.
Goals: Fletcher 40, 45.
Att: 20,350
Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire).
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