The lads ended 2007 in style with a vital 3-1 win over Bolton at the SOL this afternoon. Goals from Kieran Richardson, Kenwyne Jones and an injury time Daryl Murphy strike sealed the hard fought victory.

Fresh from serving his suspension Liam Miller returned to the starting eleven and there was also a place for Kieran Richardson. The back five remained the same as Boxing Day, in midfield Richardson, Etuhu, Miller and Richardson. Up front Andrew Cole replaced Martyn Waghorn to partner Kenwyne Jones.

Prior to the game there was the traditional minutes silent for all players and fan’s connected with the club who have passed on over the year, legend Ian Porterfield’s name getting the biggest cheer. The lads started well and were clearly pumped up for the game which was good to see.

Sunderland took the lead after fifteen minutes when Kenwyne Jones and Kieran Richardson combined to score a great goal. Jones picked the ball up midway inside the Bolton half, beat two men and was composed enough to pick out the pass to Richardson whilst under pressure from a third defender. Richardson was onto the ball like a rocket before smashing it into the top corner past the advancing keeper. It was cracking to watch but marred by the unnecessary booking of Richardson by referee Phil Dowd. I don’t think Kieran even went into the crowd and it was his first goal in a Sunderland shirt so you would think the ref would show a bit of common sense.

Buoyed by the goal Sunderland continued to dominate and won a succession of free kicks round the area. Richardson hit one straight at the keeper then Chopra forced a great save from Jaaskelainen. When you play Bolton you know you’re in for a battle and this was evident on the half hour when there was a nasty clash of heads between Nolan and Etuhu Nolan had to go off for stitches having come off the worst after clashing with the competitive Sunderland midfielder.

After this we doubled the lead having kept Bolton on the back foot for a good five minutes. We forced a corner after Liam Millers free kick was deflected over. From the resulting corner Richardson picked out Jones who nodded home. Richardson clearly had his tail up at this point and was playing well. He went close just before the break after he whipped a free kick onto the roof of the net from the right wing.

As half time loomed the last thing we wanted to see, a Bolton goal, came from a set piece. The lads need to learn quickly that you can’t keep giving away cheap free kicks in dangerous positions against teams like Bolton. Not only have they got players with ability to deliver accurate free kicks, they have height in power in the team in the likes of Nolan and Davies. As it happened Diouf scored direct from the free kick. It was another one of those no one touches and it bounced into the corner.

After the break Leadbitter replaced Chopra. Kieran Richardson continued where he left off by almost getting his second after another burst forward down the left wing. His thunderbolt shot again saved well. However as the second half wore on Bolton began to dictate the play and the tension in the stadium began to grow. This was hardly helped by Phil Dowd who continued to penalise Sunderland when challenging for the ball. Roy Keane went mad at one point when Etuhu was pulled up when he outmuscled Nolan to win possession.

Despite having the majority of play Bolton didn’t carve out many clear chances. The best one fell to Diouf who curled his shot yards wide. With quality firepower in a side from the likes of Anelka and Diouf I was wary that we would be pegged back for the draw. Anelka hardly had a sniff all afternoon but it’s always in the back of your mind that he only needs one chance to punish you.

As time wore on we started to hang on and Murphy came on for the tiring Cole while O’Donovan replaced Richardson soon after. Bolton continued to throw balls into the box but the defence held firm with McShane heading clear then on a separate occasion Danny Collins coolly chested a dangerous cross back to Gordon. Diouf then got himself booked for clashing with McShane but Sunderland defended the free kick.

With three minutes of injury time to play we secured victory with another well taken goal. Kenwyne Jones flicked a long ball into the path of Murphy who shrugged off a defender before slotting home. Murphy demonstrated good strength and composure to notch his first goal of the season.

Final Score: Sunderland 3-Bolton Wanderers 1

ALS Man of the Match: Kieran Richardson

Aidan Crowe

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