Sunderland secured a massive three points on Saturday afternoon with a three one victory over Birmingham City at the SOL though the score line makes the result sound more comfortable than it was. Despite racing into a two goal lead thanks to an early first half double from Darren Bent the lads made hard work of it second half and were fortunate that Craig Gordon turned in another fabulous performance making a string of world class saves.

Steve Bruce made one change from last Sunday with Kenwyne Jones being replaced by Benjani. Kevin Phillips had to make do with a place on the bench for the visitors as he went in search of his 250 th career goal.

We took the lead inside five minutes when Malbranque’s cross eventually fell at Bent’s feet with the striker making no mistake stabbing the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot. We were fairly rampant early on with Hutton yet again doing well on the right and we should possibly have had a penalty when one of the Scotsman’s cross appeared to be handled in the box. The ref was having none of it but it didn’t matter as on ten minutes Bent doubled the lead with his second.

The move started when young David Meyler won possession with a great tackle in our half before finding Richardson. Richardson played it to Malbranque who fed Bent who cut inside the defender before producing another neat finish.

A great start but to be fair to Birmingham their heads didn’t drop and they were unlucky not to get at least one back before half time, but Craig Gordon denied Jerome with a great save tipping the striker’s header onto the bar. At the opposite end we almost had a third but for a great save from Joe Hart to deny Campbell whilst Malbranque also went close with a low drive.

As we did last Sunday against Manchester City we didn’t get going after the break and were put on the back foot from Birmingham from the off. Whether we rested on our laurels with the two goal cushion or Birmingham simply upped their game I’m not too sure, but the blues created chance after chance.

Fortunately for us Craig Gordon was on hand to produce save after save with the pick of them a save with his foot from Benitez when the forward was clean through. Gordon was finally beaten with half an hour to go when Jerome went clean through and curled the ball past Gordon into the corner as Birmingham continued to pile on the pressure. Gordon produced another couple of saves and Anton Ferdinand did well with a last ditch block to deny Lee Bowyer. Darren Bent had Sunderland’s best second half chance when he raced onto Richardson’s through ball in search of his hat trick. Bent lobbed the ball over the advancing Joe Hart but Stephen Carr got back to clear off the line.

As we hung on for the win Jordan Henderson broke down the right and crossed for Fraizer Campbell who sealed the three points with a close range finish.

It’s a big win and the three points edges us to safety but I imagine Birmingham will be disappointed with the result as the score line flatters us a bit.

Final Score: Sunderland 3 Birmingham City 1

ALS Man of the Match: Craig Gordon

Aidan Crowe

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