Match date: Wednesday 16 April 2014.
Final Score: Manchester City 2 – 2 Sunderland
Reflection…
We woz robbed Guv’nor!
Desperately unlucky Sunderland managed only to snatch a score draw from the jaws of what seemed like a well deserved victory.
Naturally, being Sunderland, we didn’t start the game well. Having gone one-nil down due to a(nother?!) misplaced pass by Lee Cattermole after what seemed only mere moments after kick-off, we found ourselves with a typical Sunderland uphill battle ahead.
Why do we do this to ourselves?!
Following the early goal, I naturally thought the worst… but, interestingly I was wrong!
We really should have had two relatively early goals ourselves from two JOS headers, but unfortunately he somehow managed to avoid working the keeper.
Fabio Borini also missed a golden opportunity in the first-half.
We were always in the game, and we were almost equals in terms of the possession, however when Poyet introduced Scocco and Giaccerhini, we seemed to step up our attacking intent once again. Two great assists from the latter and two excellent goals from Connor Wickham, we found ourselves 2-1 up with the always brilliant travelling Sunderland faithful going barmy!
Sadly, despite the great display against one of the country’s top sides, three points were not to be…
The sucker-punch came in the form of a what should have been a relatively routine save on the part of Mannone from Nasri, only to see the ball agonisingly shuffle away from him and over the line. Vito was, naturally, gutted (as we all were!), but it was great to see Gus give him a big hug as he left the field. Yes, this out-of-character error ultimately cost us the valuable three points we craved, however he has been one of the few real positives amongst the playing staff this season; certainly the best of the Di Canio’s / Roberto De Fanti signings.
It was a great feeling to finish the game feeling disappointed for a different reason (if that makes sense!?) to that which we have felt more often than not this season.
The biggest and most heartening thing to come from the game for me was the very fact that we turned up and performed – I would go as far as to say that we were quite impressive.
We certainly didn’t look like a side languishing at the foot of the table.
If nothing else, the performance against City goes to show that we d have some decent ability in the club even though we have seen precious little of it this season.
Is the great relegation escape still be on? Why not.
What we need now is to head down south at the weekend and come away with at least another point or three – this will set us up for the run-in against those clubs around us.
My Man Of The Match: A great, positive performance by all in a Red & White shirt, however given his real Centre-Forward display, accompanied by his two goals, the nod would deservedly go to one Connor Wickham.
Next up – Chelsea at The Bridge.
Keep The Faith.
Chris
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Sunderland AFC • SAFC