COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From My Seat: Sunderland (A)

By Ken Buckley :  10/03/2008 :  Comments (24) :

Another three points and another clean sheet from a game that was won by one passage of quality play and one world class save.

The first half started almost where we left off in Italy with a few passes being made and then the ball given away and with Sunderland flooding the mid-field it wasnt the greatest spectacle.
If Everton moved forward it broke down on a resolute Sunderland defence and if they broke forward we mopped up.

The half moved on in this somewhat boring,untidy fashion which gave me time to wonder why only Pienaar and the Yak were wearing gloves.

Then just before half-time we upped the excitement when a good cross in saw Cahill hit a post.
The second half started with us looking more lively and being that bit more creative without really threatening.

Then just before the hour mark our best passage of play in the match saw the ball worked first to the right flank then back to the centre back again to the right then a switch to the left Pienaar found Arteta who put in a wicked curling cross toward goal Cahill and AJ went for it and the ball nestled in the back of the net.It was AJ who wheeled away to take the applause from those Blues assembled behind the goal.

We had something to hold on to,the game meandered on not really entertaining nor really boring but definately tense.

Both back fours made customery blocks and last ditch tackles yet neither keeper was unduly troubled.

Sunderland threw all their subs on but the difference wasn't noticible except to note that Andy Reid looked as wide as he was tall which to say the least is unusual in these days of athletic footballers.
The Sunderland fans had brought the old 'Roker Roar' to the Stadium of Light and urged their favourites forward to gain an equaliser but never looked capable against a defence intent in holding what they had.

Bardsley took Pienaar off at the knees with the worst tackle of the game but thankfully after treatment he resumed.

The manager with no doubt an eye on Wednesday soon subbed Pienaar and brought on Baines.
With a few minutes to go the manager made two more subs ,the regulation Big Vic for the Yak but the second one surprised me when 16yr old Jack Rodwell was given his Prem. debut in place of Cahill who had again put in a very energetic shift.

With Sunderland pressing and desperate for an equaliser I expected the more experienced Graveson but it was good to see the young man get a taste and the big boost in knowing what faith the manager has in him.

The board went up showing four minutes to see out and that seemed routine untill Big Vic gave away a needless freekick some twenty yards out.

Andy Reid took it and no matter his shape he rifled it toward the top corner with venom,many a Blue gulped until the green-sleeved arm of the acrobatic Howard tipped it over. What a save.
From the resultant corner another melee ended with the ball in the keepers grasp.
Final whistle and much jubilation from both players and fans.

Overall I considered this a very good win taking into consideration the gross out in Italy,the travelling and facing a team desperate for points and a very good home record of late.

I thought we missed Carsley and found it difficult to pick out a man of the match in such an untidy scrappy game,at various times in the game Yobo,Jags,Lescott and Hibbert were well worthy of mention but the accolade should be shared by AJ and Howard as goal and save ultimately were the difference.

With things tight at both top and bottom of the league I wont be to surprised to see a few more of this type of game in the coming weeks.

Total change of scene come Wednesday night,may everyone be fit and composed.
It is possible, isn't it!!
UP THE BLUES

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