Match date: Saturday 19 April 2014.
Final Score: Chelsea 1 – 2 Sunderland
Reflection…
What an absolutely magnificent victory… Survival is still very much ON!
Just when it seems that the tiny glimmer of survival hope is about to fade away, and even the most optimistic Sunderland supporter (said supporter being Me!) is beginning to feel the bite of reality, our beloved club pulls the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and surprises, sorry, shocks us all with a precious four points from a possible six against two of the biggest clubs in the land!
Hot on the heels of the hugely encouraging, but equally frustrating showing (result wise), against City earlier in the week, I for one was fully expecting Gus to field the very same starting eleven; and no surprises in the lead up to kick-off to see just that.
Actually, in saying that, I did have a feeling that given his excellent contribution in the City game, Giaccerhini was in with a decent shout of a starting birth.
It was disappointing to lose the first goal yet again, but the way we maintained the fighting ‘will-to-win’ spirit was great to watch. I had predicted a score draw before kick-off, but even after conceding the first goal from Eto’o, I just felt that we wouldn’t end up losing the game. We seemed to be getting a bit more of the rub of the green, where at previous stages of the season, these would have gone against us.
Was it really a penalty?
That is the question, but my answer would simply be: For me – No… But who cares, eh?!
With respect to him, this was probably Altidore’s greatest contribution to a Sunderland game since he signed, and to be fair to him, he did get himself about a bit in the same vane as the rest of the side.
Anyway…
Mr Cool himself – the man who goes by the name of ‘Fabio Borini’ at weekends – steps up to the spot and precedes to slot the ball straight down the centre of the goal .
Beautiful…
At this very moment, the respective cities of Sunderland and Liverpool jumped for joy in unison!
Still, as I sit at my desk typing this, I for the life of me can’t figure out where the referee found five minutes of added-on time!?
I had to remind myself to breathe!
So here we are then…
Even though we still find ourselves sitting at the foot of the table, the whole situation is reading a lot more pleasant that it has of late. We are now only three points behind Norwich who currently sit in seventeenth. And with winnable fixtures remaining – particularly those against Cardiff and WBA – we have given ourselves renewed hope of premier league survival.
Wearside expects…
My Man Of The Match: Another great, positive performance by the lads, however if I were to single out a particular individual, then I would go with Seb Larsson; He typified what Sunderland are all about when they want to be. The lad barely stopped for breath all game, and was 100% up for it. I have been a little critical of him of late when he has played, but today – Excellent.
Next up – Cardiff at the SOL.
Keep The Faith. Always Believe.
Chris
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Sunderland AFC • SAFC • Keep The Faith • Always Believe