Match date: Wednesday 27 August 2014
Final Score: Birmingham 0 – 3 Sunderland
Reflection…
Ah, the magic of the cup, eh?!
Following the lads’ impressive, cup final reaching cup run last season, Wearside is very much up for another visit to the capital that’s for sure. The joy throughout the local area at that time was brilliant, and we also showed the footballing world just what true support is all about by taking over, in huge numbers, many of London’s landmarks and drinking establishments!
Sunderland took to the pitch at St. Andrew’s and lined up showing six changes from the side which drew with United at the weekend:
Starting eleven-
• Pantilimon
• Vergini
• O’Shea
• Brown
• Jones
• Larsson
• Bridcutt
• Gomez
• Johnson
• Altidore
• Wickham
Subs:
• Mannone (GK)
• van Aanholt
• Cattermole
• Rodwell
• Fletcher
• Giaccherini
• Buckley
First of all, a huge shout out to our phenomenal travelling support who made the not insignificant journey to England’s alleged second city on a Wednesday evening.
I doff my hat to every single one.
Anyway, back to the game. The first-half was a disappointing affair to say the least with both sides sharing similar amounts of possession, while being pretty ineffective in front of goal.
Both sides were rubbish overall in all honesty, with Birmingham possibly shading it.
We went in level at half-time, and I thought that a few choice words were likely on the cards from Poyet given the less than acceptable performance. Furthermore, I expected to see a change or two being made, however to my surprise we came out for the second-half unchanged.
Sunderland started the second-half with far more urgency in their play, and I was confident that should this approach continue, we would go on to win the game. We played a patient passing game which led to our opening goal. Some great build up play from the lads led to Gomez receiving the ball before striking a sweet left foot shot which found the net.
Quality!
The deadlock was broken, and I knew at this point that only one team would go on to win the game. A second was very much on the cards, and it did indeed come. A powerful run on goal from Jozy Altidore forced a save from the Goalkeeper who could only parry it, which allowed AJ to slot the ball home calmly.
Two-nil to the Mighty Mackems.
The game was all but over by this point, however Sunderland were not quite finished their evenings’ work.
With Giaccherini confidently striding out of his own half with the ball at his feet, he then fed the ball left to Wickham who in turn side footed confidently in to the net.
Three-nil Sunderland and the game very much over!
So, that’s Sunderland safely through to the next round of the cup. No, it wasn’t pretty for the most part, but we scored three well-worked goals and Birmingham didn’t – and that’s all the history books will show!
Job done.
Just one final thought. Could we consider this as a cup run?!
My Man Of The Match: Wesley Brown – His usual solid self and the pick of the bunch. Oh, and just as a footnote, that man Jozy had a great game.
Next up – Queens Park Rangers away in the Premier League.
Keep The Faith. Always Believe.
Chris
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