An injury time Ji Dong Won goal against Manchester City gave Sunderland an unlikely three points on New Year’s Day at the SOL. For the majority of the game a depleted Sunderland side defended resiliently and courageously against waves of City attacks before at the death Ji found himself one on one with Joe Hart and confidently rounding the England keeper to stab home.

Like many SAFC fans I headed over to the SOL nursing a New Years Day hangover whilst Martin O’Neill nursed an injury induced headache with Phil Bardsley, Titus Bramble and Kieran Richardson all struggling for the game with knocks.

The injuries forced O’Neill into several changes with Simon Mignolet, in a mask, starting in goal behind a makeshift back four of Gardner, Brown, O’Shea, and Colback. In midfield the rejuvenated Lee Cattermole continued alongside David Vaughan in the centre with Larsson and McLean on the flanks. Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner led the attack though the Benin international dropped into midfield when we did not have possession.

The Champions elect, who have impressed for the majority of the season, headed North on the back of a goalless draw away to WBA and were pretty much full strength though they did totally drop Balotelli whilst Silva and Aguero had to settle for a place on the bench. Although City have averaged over three goals per game so far this campaign the freak results yesterday of Villa and Blackburn at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford respectively offered a glimmer of hope for the lads.

We actually had the first chance of the game when Bendtner had a run on goal from the half way line but Hart did well to send him wide and by the time the Dane had a shot City had got numbers back. Soon after McLean had a shot after showing his dribbling skills though his weak shot did not trouble Hart and after this City took control.

Adam Johnson almost opened the scoring with a curling shot which landed on the roof of the net before Kolarov blasted over. Edwin Dzeko then had three opportunities to score but firstly was denied by a great save from Mignolet, and then a block by Gardner before another shot crashed off the bar. Meanwhile, O’Neill was forced into another defensive reshuffle when Wes Brown limped off and was replaced by Matt Kilgallon.

Before half time we did manage another effort on goal when Gardner blasted over after some nice work from Sessegnon but after the break the game continued in a similar vein whilst City also added further attacking imputes with Aguero replacing De Jong.

The second half was literally their attack versus our defence with the lads camped in their own half although we had another good chance to take the lead when Sessegnon went through in goal but he steered his shot wide with the outside of his foot. David Silva was thrust on with half an hour to go and he created a couple of chances though we managed to get blocks in though the pressure was relentless.

Micah Richards came on with ten minutes to go and almost won the points for the visitors when he surged into the box after Mignolet palmed away Dzeko’s shot but the defender’s diving header rattled the bar.

Three minutes injury time was signalled and we looked to be holding on for a point until we broke on the left wing. I was screaming to head for the corner and see out the draw until Ji was played in by Sessegnon and superbly rounded Hart to seal a remarkable victory with a composed finish.

When the goal went in the crowd went wild and the players celebrated in the corner for ages in what were outrageously raucous scenes. Man City barely had time to restart before the ref blew for full time to start 2012 for SAFC with a bang.

Final Score: Sunderland 1 Manchester City 0

ALS Man of the Match: Lee Cattermole – Hard to pick today as there was some good performances especially Gardner out of position at right back

Aidan Crowe

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