Match date: Sunday 02 March 2014.
Final Score: Manchester City 3 – 1 Sunderland AFC
Reflection time…
We lost.
Disappointing, naturally…
However, this weekend really was not just about the possibility of winning a trophy. In many ways it was about celebrating the fact that we are Sunderland supporters making the very most of a wonderful opportunity to write club history.
In the build up to the game, all I requested was that each and every player to a man go out there and show the supporters that they wanted to win the cup; to wear the famous Red & White stripes with the pride and respect they quite rightly deserve…
We did exactly that today.
Also, pretty much everyone not associated with club expected us to get a humiliating football lesson.
That did not happen today.
Gutted with the final result, but I am immensely proud of the performance regardless.
We came, we played and we just very nearly conquered! We certainly made them work for it.
Not too shabby for a club sitting at the wrong end of the league table.
Got to keep smiling!
City knew they were in a game from the off. We produced an energetic performance which showed intent and desire, and after we’d taken the lead with a brilliantly taken goal from Borini, each and every Sunderland supporter found themselves in wonderland – could the dream become a reality?!
Unfortunately for Sunderland, City were always going to get a foot hold in the game, and that came in the form of something spectacular from Toure. To be honest, I still think it was intended as a cross (!), a freak goal if you will, but it nestled into the top corner anyway leaving Vito helpless.
The killer blow came moments later when City scored again by way of another world-class goal from Nasri.
For me, the final score of 3-1 does not begin to tell the tale; the final result was very cruel. The third goal made the game appear to be almost a one-sided affair; two-one would, for me, have been a more just result, but ultimately, we lost to a better side that happened to score three quality goals.
There is absolutely no disgrace in that.
I suppose we have to concede that Manchester City simply had that extra bit of class in the end.
We fell short today, but out time will come.
We can be extremely proud about this weekend. The team performed admirably, and of course the travelling Sunderland faithful out sang the City following throughout.
Oh, and we basically owned London on Saturday!
So there you have it. So near, just not quite near enough in the end…
To use a phrase coined by ‘Big Chris’ in ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, this Big Chris is going to use the very same…
“It’s been emotional…”
My Man Of The Match: Lee Cattermole / Ki.
Next up – Hull City away in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Chris
https://twitter.com/CChambersSoM/status/440236505182003200
