Darren Bent's first half double was enough to beat Colchester United and seal Sunderland's place in the third round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night at the SOL. Truth be told it was a pretty dour performance from Sunderland who struggled to break down the spirited League One outfit and at times looked vulnerable themselves.

In the build up to the game Steve Bruce promised to send out a strong Sunderland side and the gaffer didn't disappoint. We lined up with Mignolet in goal behind a back four of Ferdinand, Turner, Bramble and Bardsley. In midfield Campbell, Cattermole, Richardson and Zenden. Up front Danny Welbeck partnered Darren Bent.

Colchester set out with a 4-5-1 formation hoping to keep it tight and stifle the lads but it was them who had the first effort on goal with a low shot which Mignolet did well to get down to. Following this we started to see more of the ball but struggled to use it wisely and unsurprisingly resorted to aiming long balls from back to front. We did however force a couple of corners and for a change with Bolo Zenden on the pitch, the quality of the deliveries was a lot better than in our previous two games this season. The Dutchman whipped over three corners at pace with Titus Bramble going closest almost glancing one in.

It was a pretty unconvincing start from Sunderland given the strength of the side named but we did take the lead after 20 minutes when Bent got on the end of a long ball forward and headed over the advancing keeper who had strayed far too far from his goal. Before the break Bent made it two nil but again owes thanks to the Colchester keeper who dropped another clanger. We won a free kick on the right wing when Ferdinand was tugged back after being played in by Campbell. Zenden swung the free kick into the six yard box which the keeper came for and miss leaving Bent the easiest finish at the back post.

After the break Colchester, like in the first period, had the first real effort on goal but Mignolet did well to parry the shot before Turner cleared the rebound. With half an hour to go and the lads seemingly content to rest on their laurels with a two nil lead Bruce made his first changes with Reid and Waghorn replacing Zenden and Welbeck. Darren Bent did have the ball in the net for a third time after he chipped the keeper following Campbell's through ball but he had already been flagged offside. Then the returning Andy Reid had an effort on goal following a good run but his lofted effort lacked elevation.

With fifteen minutes to go Martyn Waghorn nearly made it three nil with a wonderful effort on goal from twenty five yards but was denied by the crossbar. Then Bent should have had the opportunity to bag his first SAFC hat trick but despite busting a gut to get unmarked into the box on a Sunderland counter attack, Richardson managed to only find the keeper with his low cross despite having loads of time and space.

Before full time Colchester had an appeal for a penalty waved away and Waghorn blazed over from close range.

Not great from Sunderland who will have to be a hundred times better on Sunday against Manchester City but I suppose it’s a case of job done.

Final Score: Sunderland 2 Colchester United 0

ALS Man of the Match: Darren Bent

Aidan Crowe

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