Once again Sunderland were the architects of their own downfall after failing to kill off Wolves and throwing away the lead to lose 2-1 at Molineux on Sunday afternoon. Kieran Richardson had given the lads the lead early in the second half before the game turned on its head when Seb Larsson won and then missed a penalty. Less than a minute after the spot kick was saved Wolves equalised through Stephen Fletcher, after some awful defending, before Fletcher sealed the three points with a contentious goal ten minutes from time.

Last week’s defeat to Wigan turned out to be Steve Bruce’s last game as Sunderland manager after finally being sacked on Wednesday evening. It was the right time for Bruce to go after the crowd turned on him last weekend though it’s a shame our fans have been accused of forcing him out for being a Mag rather than the fact our form in 2011 has been dreadful.

Ellis Short wasted little time in replacing Bruce with the exciting appointment of Martin O’Neill on a three year contract. I’m delighted with O’Neill as he’s done a great job everywhere he’s been and the fact that he’s taken the job suggests Short will make funds available to him in January.

With O’Neill watching from the stands, Eric Black took temporary charge and was forced into one change with Michael Turner missing out through injury. Westwood continued in goal behind a back four of Bardo, Brown, O’Shea and Richardson. Stephane Sessegnon and top scorer Seb Larsson started on the left and right wings respectively whilst Cattermole and Colback continued in the engine room. Up front Ji made his first start for the lads partnering Nicklas Bendtner.

As both teams have struggled for goals this season it was no surprise that it was goal less at the break although both sides did have opportunities to take the lead. Inside five minutes Sessegnon struck a great volley first time on the turn but it was straight down the throat of Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey. It was superb technique from the Benin international to strike the ball which was dropping over his head.

Wolves thought they had scored when Sunderland failed to clear a corner but after a scramble Westwood managed to grasp the ball before it crossed the line despite the protests of the Wolves players.

Midway through the first half Keiren Westwood produced a wonder save to deny Stephen Hunt from close range. Hunt was found unmarked at the back post by Jarvis’ wicked cross but the winger was denied by Westwood’s strong hand which prevented what looked a certain goal. We had another couple of efforts a Bendtner header which went over and long range Larsson shot but despite having the majority of possession our lack of a cutting edge was painfully obvious.

Right before half time a neat piece of play involving Ji and Richardson looked to have created the opening goal for Sessegnon, but his right foot effort was blocked by Ward.

After the break Nicklas Bendtner had a sight of goal but he blasted over when a pass to Larsson may have been a better option. We did take the lead soon after with a superb counter attacking goal finished off in style by Kieran Richardson after Bendtner’s fancy flick had set Sessegnon away down the left wing. Richardson overlapped and lashed the ball into the top corner first time before being booked for taking his top off to reveal a message which said “I belong to Jesus.”

Once we took the lead we were in control and were causing Wolves problems on the counter but again the creativity and decision making in the final third is simply not good enough

With twenty minutes to go we were given a penalty by Phil Dowd after Larsson theatrically tumbled over Jody Craddock’s dangling leg, but the Swede saw his poorly stuck penalty saved by Hennessey low to his left. This was the turning point of the game as the momentum swung in Wolves’ favour as they went straight down the other end and scored.

For the second week running Wes Brown made a basic error losing the flight of Matt Jarvis’ cross allowing Stephen Fletcher a free header which he placed past Westwood. To rub salt into the wounds ten minutes from time Wolves took the lead in controversial circumstances again through Fletcher who volleyed into the bottom corner after Jamie O’Hara controlled the ball for him with his arm.

It was snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in a fashion only SAFC could do.

Final Score: Wolves 2 Sunderland 1

ALS Man of the Match: Stephane Sessegnon

Aidan Crowe

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