Is it really only a few weeks since we last saw Bolton on Wearside? The difference between the performance in Keane’s last game as our manager and this one was immense, but simple to explain. Togetherness, teamwork, whatever you want to call it, was there in abundance in the FA Cup when it was missing in the league back in November.

Rob from Worcester confirmed the rumour that Chimbonda was back in the team, but the other changes were a bit of a surprise.

Fulop
Chimbo Noz Ferdy Collins
Edwards Richo Whitehead Diouf
Cisse Jones

Having traded my ticket in for a posh seat in the Black Cats Bar, as it was Gillian’s birthday, I had a different view of the game. Apparently the Azerbijan branch used my normal seat, and felt the draught more than I did. 5,000 less at the game than at the Boro was a pretty poor turn-out, but the football was of a decent quality. There were a few chances for both sides in the first half, with Diouf impressing wide on the left, but nobody could get in a clean shot. It was entertaining without being sparkling, if you get my meaning, and we held our shape well and the crowd could see what we were trying to do.

Level at the break, it was the luxury of the Black Cats bar and a comfy pint of Guinness before heading back to my nice padded seat and the freezing cold of the real world. There were no changes, but a little more urgency about our play. After ten minutes or so, we won a free on the left, and Rico whipped in a perfect cross for Jones to meet at the front post. A perfect cross, finished off with a perfect header, and the ice was well and truly broken.

The goal seemed to raise the temperature a couple of degrees as well, and the crowd lifted in response. A period of pressure by Sunderland followed, as it should on such occasions, and after a couple of bear things, Carlos flung over a cross from the right and Cisse whacked the ball over his shoulder and into the net. Lovely, and still 25 minutes or so to go. It looked very much like we’d add to our two goals, and had control of the game.

Richardson took a knock and was replaced by Teemu, who is exactly the player you want on the field when you want to run the game down. With Reid on for Edwards, we looked quite safe until their sub managed a flukey shot that looped over Fulop and into the top corner. That made the last ten minutes a bit nervy when they shouldn’t have been, but we held out. On a day when Hartlepool and Forest, amongst others, made fools of the Premier sides, we manage to do the right thing and get ourselves in the draw for the next round, something Keane never managed as our boss.

Man of the Match? Richardson had a cracking game and set up the opener, but I think it will just go to Diouf, who put in a tremendous shift against his old employers. Tell me ma, me ma, I won’t be home for tea, we’re going to Wemberlee...

Keep the Faith

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