Match date: Monday 3 November 2014
Final score: Crystal Palace FC 1 – 3 Sunderland AFC
Reflection…
It’s official: Sunderland AFC now love Monday night football in front of the TV cameras… FACT!
Having gone some 12 years without a Premier League win on a Monday night (yes… that long!), the Mighty Mackems finally managed to put the Monday night hoodoo to rest once and for all.
The lads took to the pitch at Selhurst Park and lined up as follows:
Starting eleven-
• Pantilimon (gk)
• van Aanholt
• O’Shea (c)
• Vergini
• Réveillere
• Larsson
• Wickham
• Cattermole
• Buckley
• Gomez
• Fletcher
Subs:
• Mannone (gk)
• Mavrias
• Graham
• Brown
• Johnson
• Altidore
• Bridcutt
As is usual of late, the lads didn’t start well. We managed to concede six corners in the first 10 minutes with Palace very much taking hold of the game. We were then relieved of a what can only be described a stone wall penalty when Vergini slid in on ex-Sunderland favourite Frazier Campbell, and in turn brought him down in the area.
This was very much a heart-in-mouth moment… but fortunately it wasn’t given. Could this be a sign of changing fortunes for my beloved club?
Sunderland worked their way back into the game, which came via a sweet headed goal from Fletcher courtesy of a cross by van Aanholt. Sadly the latter was soon forced to leave the pitch following a shoulder injury. Wesley Brown came on in his place, and swiftly found himself the catalyst for the Crystal Palace equalizer. That man Campbell ran through on goal and forced Pantilimon in to a smart save, only for Campbell to follow up with a cheeky back-heel from the rebound which found its way into the net by way of the desperately unfortunate Brown.
Here we go again I thought. Another comedy own goal… not what we need.
The Sunderland faithful were, however, in for a change of fortune. I feel that Gomez began to have a positive influence on the game, with the tide turning back in Sunderland’s favour by way of a sweet low strike from the aforementioned Gomez.
Nice.
Sunderland’s fortune increased again with the Palace captain Jedinak being handed a second yellow card.
With Sunderland seemingly cruising at this point, Bridcutt won the ball and ran through on goal in stoppage time accompanied by Steven Fletcher. Bridcutt then switched the ball to a waiting Fletcher whom finished impressively with the outside of his left foot.
Sunderland three!
A brilliant night for the Sunderland faithful, particularly in the wake of recent results.
The much desired win also saw Sunderland climb out of the bottom three, and reach the heady-heights of 15th in the league!
As brilliant as the away win was, Sunderland didn’t leave Selhurst Park unscathed as it seems that van Aanholt could be headed for a lengthy lay-off with injury, on top of Cattermole missing the Everton game at the weekend due suspension.
Never mind, eh?!
Onwards an upwards!
My Man Of The Match: A very decent debut performance from Réveillere, however given the importance of the game in terms of league position, Steven Fletcher gets the nod.
Next up – Everton in the Premier League at the SOL.
Keep The Faith. Always Believe.
Chris
