Another dual goals for Darren Bent yesterday, but his was far from the wilful grant in a feat that carried Sunderland towards safety; this was a diversion won by the heroics of Craig Gordon in goal. A run of 4 home games has yielded eight points to leave Sunderland 10 transparent of the relegation zone, but this was far from the gentle win it looked similar to being after Bent had them 2-0 up in eleven minutes.
The win was usually hermetic dual mins from time as Fraizer Campbell slid in Jordan Hendersons cross. Sunderland had endured a half of determined vigour but Birmingham usually had Cameron Jeromes peculiarity finish to show for it. "It was a conspicuous game," pronounced the Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish. "Remarkably hideous from us in the initial half, but after the second half we could be going afar from here with a win."
Six times prior to in the League this season, Sunderland had consumed leads, and it was usually the luminosity of Gordon, who had been glorious opposite Manchester City last week, that prevented them adding to that pattern. Many questioned either he was value the �9 million Roy Keane outlayed bringing him from Hearts; on this form, he positively is.
The catalog of saves yesterday seems preposterously long: dual diving to his left to keep out Keith Fahey drives; a open to his right to pull a close-range Christian Benitez header on to the bar; an outstretched right leg to obstruct far-reaching Jeromes bid after he had been sent by one on one; a automatic retard to his left to repudiate Benitez, followed by a full-length dive to his right to spin afar Stephen Carrs follow-up; and a back-pedalling scratch to keep out Liam Ridgewells header.
"He was outstanding," pronounced McLeish, who managed him at general level. "He looked each in. an general goalkeeper today, as did Joe Hart in the initial half."
On an additional day Harts saves from Campbell, low to his right, and Kieran Richardson, pawed afar from the tip corner, to forestall Sunderland going in 3-0 up at half-time would have held the eye, but yesterday was all about Gordon. Marton Fulop, who has consistently challenged Gordon for the first-team jersey, pronounced last week that he would find a summer move carrying supposed he will usually ever be the back-up; that right away looks an uncommonly essential decision.
"We indispensable the goalkeeper to furnish a illusory display," pronounced the Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce. "He was personification unequivocally well when he pennyless his arm opposite Tottenham mentally to get over that, the child deserves good credit."
The alternative good certain for Sunderland was the form of the 19-year-old Irish midfielder David Meyler, creation his fifth Premier League begin given signing from Cork City for �160,000. With his endless forehead, Meyler has the see of a immature Kevin Ball, but he is a far some-more accurate passer than the former Sunderland captain ever was. The opener stemmed from his quick mind and ambition, as he squeezed a pass by the narrowest of spaces to Campbell. He found Benjani, and when his shot was half-blocked Bent lashed in his 19th of the season.
No twenty came 6 mins later, and again Meyler was the instigator. This time he was far some-more Ball-like, crunching in to a challenge. Steed Malbranque, most softened given his switch to the left, gathered, drifted infield and made a undiluted round to Bent, who incited inside Scott Dann and shot low in to the bottom dilemma to turn the initial Sunderland player to strike twenty in a deteriorate in the tip moody given Kevin Phillips won the European Golden Boot 10 years ago. More importantly, it should safety Sunderlands Premier League status.
Attendance: 37,962
Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the match: Gordon
Match rating: 8/10
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