Analysis: Strong defensive showing from Black Cats

[Getty Images] The first half lacked quality, with both sides guilty of wasting good positions with poor final passes or lack of composure in front of goal. Sunderland created a good chance in only the fifth minute when Xhaka spread play with a pass out wide and Thomas Meunier put a cross into the penalty area, only for Trai Hume to fail to connect with the ball from 10 yards out. The Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League last season, to earn a first shot at a European competition since 1973-74, when they went out of the Cup Winners' Cup in the second round. Despite conceding a last-minute goal to lose 2-1 at promoted Ipswich in their opener, with former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke scoring the winner, Friday's Europa League draw lifted the mood. A dream away tie at Italian giants AC Milan on 10 December is something for Sunderland fans to relish, with home games against Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, Polish side Jagiellonia and Levski Sofia of Bulgaria, along with further trips to Portugal (Torreense), Poland (Lech Poznan) and Belgium (Anderlecht). But one of the big questions for Sunderland fans is how their squad will cope when they have a minimum of eight extra fixtures and regularly have to play on Thursday and then Sunday. After losing at Ipswich, it was important the Black Cats picked up three points here and they managed to do that, with Xhaka the outstanding player with his long-range passing and inspirational leadership. At Portman Road, individual mistakes had proved costly, but boss Regis le Bris will be delighted by the team effort against Fulham and the way his side defended. Nordi Mukiele and Romaine Mundle typified that resolute spirit with last-ditch blocks to help shut out Fulham.