From my seat: Sunderland (H)

Comments (13)

Only our second home win of the season and 3-0 sees us clear in 6th ? just goes to show what a crazy game we follow.

A great Christmas feeling pre-match, our local north Liverpool boozer was filled to overflowing with good banter and no-one gave a toss how the reds were doing on the tele in the corner. A walk up to the ground gave a sense of a full house as there was a queue 20 yds up the street for the delights from Blue Dragon chippy at 1:45pm.

The line-up showed one change from Boro: Ossie for Gosling as announced by a new voice on the tannoy, who didn't introduce us as 'The Mighty Blues' but just blandly read out the names.

We won the toss and elected to kick into the Street End as that was the end where the sun was deadly and would play a part. The game opened and for five minutes it was pretty much even-stevens but then we started to get the ball down, retain possession and push the visitors onto the backfoot, albeit after the booed Cisse had a shot at Howard with no great consequence.

Our pressure built and a foul by Richardson to halt Osman 25 yds out resulted in Arteta's dipping swerving free-kick into that sunblinding goal area found the net. One up in 10 mins... could it be another seven?

We continued to dominate and on the 25min mark Fellaini's hounding forced a farcial error between Collins and the keeper and as the ball ran loose the word 'goal' stuck in our throats as Fellaini was a little slow to capitalise and the ball was swept from his feet.

Disappointment then but just a minute later we gain another free kick when Malbranque pulled down Pienaar on the edge and was booked. Arteta conversed with Baines and both shaped to take it, Arteta struck it but at the wall; however, the ball rebounded to him and via a deflection the ball was in the net and to the absolute joy of all assembled it looked for all the world game over considering the gulf in class that had been evident to this point.

Such was our dominance last ditch tackles from the visitors were giving us free kicks in dangerous areas and from one of these a superbly flighted cross from Arteta found Cahill doing what he does best in being the first to react but on this occasion inexplicably headed just wide from a position that is normally meat and drink for him,that one goes down as a bad miss.

Near the end of the half, Fellaini took a knock to his arm and he never seemed the same force again. Half-time and all was well as no-one saw anything but a Blues victory. The visitors swapped Malbranque for Edwards and within minutes he had what proved to be their only wothwhile effort of the half has he had Howard on his toes to deal with his shot.

This half was tame compared with the first... with the Blues being content to keep possession and with Arteta pulling all the strings, we were merely keeping Sunderland at arm's length. Through this measured build-up a chance was created for Osman but not taken. Jags had to take a yellow to prevent a Cisse break after some sloppiness by Fellaini.

Fellaini seemed to be now out of sorts but it was Osman the first to give way as the manager introduced the promising Gosling, a good move considering Ossie's injury woes. Gosling made an instant impression with a surging run that was halted by a foul resulting in a booking.

We continued to dominate and press yet without a lot of urgency until a throw in on the left saw Lescott slide a beauty in and Gosling with great anticipation was Johnny on the spot to slide home. I was delighted for the lad after his misses at Boro and didn't all players and fans celebrate that one! Big Vic replaced the ailing Fellaini and promptly gave away a free kick.

Just a few minutes later and Neville is seen marauding on goal, 'Shoot' yelled the faithful and he unleashed an Exocet that just clipped the bar, what a goal that would have been. With five mins to go, the manager replaced the excellent Cahill, who received a great ovation, with Jutkiewicz and what an entry he made, receiving the ball near the right touchline, he looked up, shimmied a defender and despatched a glorious 70-yd pass out to Pienaar on the left. If that was Beckham or Zidane, it would have made Sky Sports!

Only two minutes put up on the board, which passed without incident, much like the bulk of the second half. Overall, I thought a regulation win at home at last and one that showed a gulf in class between the two teams. Hard luck on their new manager, I suppose, on being made permanent after a few good results to come up against a team such as the Blues in this form.

My Man of the Match without doubt was Arteta, who strode the stage and dictated as a colossus, now can he do it against sterner opposition? If the answer is "Yes", then a problem has been solved.

A holiday question for you, I have seen every game Fellaini has played and no doubt he is a threat in the air with his height but can anyone tell me why he doesn't jump!!?

FA Cup next and as I fancy the big screen at Goodison, the brother-in-law can have the ticket for Macclesfield.

Hope there are no slip ups in this one as I believe we need the cash from a good run. May I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year.

Off for a pint to celebrate. UP THE BLUES
Ken Buckley, Buckley     Posted 28/12/2008 at 17:14:25

Return to the Mail Bag