Two spectacular goals sealed a hard fought victory for Sunderland over total footballing side Swansea City at the SOL on Saturday afternoon. Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner both must be in with a shout for goal of the month after their stunning strikes either side of half time saw off Brendan Rodgers’ side who despite having a lot of possession didn’t cause the lads too many problems.

During the week Steve Bruce broke his silence following his sacking by SAFC and predictably said that he felt given time he would have turned around the season and that the Wearside crowd were impatient. In my opinion it was the constant whining from Bruce about the level of expectation in the weeks leading to his dismissal that aggravated the dissenting voices who weren’t expecting SAFC to win the league only maybe beat WBA, Wigan and Fulham at home.

Current Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill, who with the squad left by Bruce has transformed our season, was handed an injury boost with the news that Titus Bramble and Wes Brown both trained through the week. The return to fitness of the two centre halves couldn’t have come soon enough especially after Matt Kilgalon suffered a nasty ankle knock in last week’s defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Swansea headed North on the back of a impressive 3-2 win over Arsenal last Sunday and also bolstered their squad with the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran. Martin O’Neill made one change to the side that lost at Chelsea with Wes Brown returning at the heart of defence in a straight swap for Matt Kilgallon.

We started the game sporting armbands out of respect for former chairman Sir Tom Cowie who sadly passed away this week and had an opportunity to take the lead inside five minutes. McClean whipped a decent cross to the back post which Larsson volleyed behind off of a defender although the linesman inexplicably awarded a goal kick.

Swansea hit back and had a clear chance to take the lead when Sinclair was left unmarked at the back post but he smashed his shot over the bar. O'Neill was forced into an early change when Nicklas Bendtner got kicked in the face and was replaced by Connor Wickham.

We took the lead soon after with a great goal from Sessegnon, who played a neat one two with McClean before clipping a perfect volley into the top corner.

After the goal Swansea continued to play their passing style a la Barcelona which saw them playing out from the back with Worm opting not to launch his goal kicks forward. The Swans forged another good chance when Danny Graham was found in the box by Dyer though the former Boro striker headed over. Swansea ended the half on top and had a couple of shots from long range and forced a few corners though we went in at half time with the one nil lead intact.

After the break we had a chance to double our lead when Sessegnon found himself in the box but his effort was blocked and despite our best efforts to get the loose ball Swansea scrambled away the danger. We were happy enough to let Swansea play in front of us and for all their nice passing they rarely created any clear cut chances. They forced a free kick which Vaughan conceded on the edge of the box although Mignolet parried the shot away well before there was a mêlée involving Sessegnon, Larsson and Allen although the referee didn’t produce any cards.

Despite all Swansea’s possession James McClean created another chance for Sessegnon when he crossed to the front post but the Benin international bulleted his header wide. Swansea made a couple of changes with McEachran and Routledge coming on whilst Craig Gardner got a run out for David Vaughan. Scott Sinclair, who had a quiet game after being well marshalled by Phil Bardsley turned well and created space for himself although his shot flew harmlessly over.

We ended the game strongly with Wickham flashing a shot past the post on the turn before we sealed the victory in spectacular fashion thanks to Craig Gardner. Stephane Sessegnon picked up the ball on the left wing and crossed for Gardner who controlled the ball on his chest before dispatching a looping volley into the top corner.

Final Score: Sunderland 2 Swansea City 0

ALS Man of the Match: Phil Bardsley

Aidan Crowe

ALS T Shirts click here