It ain't over till it's over - Burnley report

Why can it never be easy? Why could Connolly not score his first penalty and we would have had a comfortable night? It seems the Sunderland way. Beforehand I was confident, maybe too confident. While others were working themselves into a frenzy of nerves I was very calm about it all. It was an odd feeling for such a big game but I honestly believed this game would provide no big problems and we’d come too far to mess it up now. I felt the big games and real hard work had come at Cardiff and Southampton a couple of weeks before and despite last weeks slip up it was still very likely we finish in the top 2.

So when Murphy glanced in Connolly’s 14th minute cross it all seemed to be going to plan. Burnley are an ordinary side, although on a decent run of form but easily beatable, despite returns to Sunderland for Andy Gray, Caldwell and Steve Cotterill. Then when Connolly was brought down shortly after and only our 2nd penalty of the season awarded, I expected this to be the clincher and the game won already. Wrong.

Despite it being well hit and into the corner Jensen got a good hand on it and turned it round the post. This gave Burnley a way back into the game and they started to pose more of a threat. They hardly had a barrage of shots but they started to win balls in midfield that before Whitehead and Miller had rule over.

As the half went on it seemed the result would have to be ground out as with recent results like QPR, Hull etc., but Burnley never really presented much threat on goal so we were still comfortable.

Then just before half time a break found Wade Elliot free on the right, he ran into the box tried to take the ball past Ward who brought him down in a very similar way to the penalty against QPR. This one however wasn’t as clear cut. Did he make contact? Did he get the ball first? Did the player dive? No-one could be sure but I felt he went down a little easily. Apparently the Linesman flagged for a corner so that may tell its own tale but I didn’t see this to confirm. Our old friend Andy Gray stepped up to make it 1-1 and made it 4 goals in 3 games for him. Goal scoring form that you wouldn’t believe was possible from him last season. His celebrations in front of the North Stand were a little unnecessary too. We never gave him much stick, he wasn’t booed and that he should be grateful of for being part of the shambles of last season.

This was the point were my mood changed a little and my confidence in the 3 points not so solid. Damn him for doing that, damn Burnley for spoiling this.

As the 2nd half started I was still fairly confident that we’d win. I was sure we’d score and we’d made our obligatory daft mistake in the game. So when Elliot received the ball 25 yards out and smashed one in the top corner it was a bit of a hammer blow. A great goal and I’m not sure if it could have been prevented but now 2 goals were needed in about 40 minutes against a team in good form. This wasn’t in the script.

As we poured forward in search of a quick goal back my mind wandered back to Connolly’s penalty, giving great consideration to Crystal Palaces chances of beating Derby and Birmingham’s tough last 2 games. Then I started planning my trip to Wembley, it would be a good day out but what if we got beat there, what if we never made it past the semis, what a disaster. A million things running through, none of them relevant. When Carlos Edwards was brought down by the keeper for another penalty my mind was focused again.

Connolly picked the ball up, Whitehead took it off him, they had a few words, Connolly won. Great bottle I thought, he hadn’t scored for 7 weeks, missed one already but still wants to take it. This HAD to go in. The 2 lads next to me sat down head in hands unable to watch. They needn’t have worried, Connolly’s too good to miss 2 in game and we re level again.

This was the spur the ground needed and the atmosphere lifted, as good as it’s been for years, we were back on track and had to spur them on for the winner. Leadbitter replaced Miller and Stokes had a good run and shot before being replaced by Hysen. Drive was needed and got.

Time ticked on and the doubts came back. Was a point good enough? Not really. I was still confident but not sure. 80 minutes and Murphy, excellent all game, played Edwards in down the right. With not much in the box and a clear sight at goal it was clear what he was going to do. My immediate thought when he got it was ‘he can’t possibly do it again’. He did, but this time better. The ball arrowed into the top corner with incredible speed. The stadium erupted with incredible noise. A fitting goal for a fitting occasion. We wouldn’t lose this now, that I was sure.

The last 10 minutes were scrappy; we defended manfully with no fancy stuff and were fairly comfortable. John, who came off for Connolly went desperately close to scoring a fourth as did Murphy in the final minutes. The crowd spurred the team on and despite the 4 minutes of injury time victory was ours and the final whistle greeted as if promotion itself was achieved.

The players came out afterwards for a fairly low-key lap of honour, knowing it’s not done yet. Keane came out but quickly departed the pitch to adoration. I don’t think this is really his thing and he’d prefer the players took the praise.

If it does go down to the final game then there’s no better game to have than play an already relegated team. I’ll still be confident of a win but maybe not as calm.

Man of the match – Daryl Murphy

Report by marcopaul

Wiggum's Whinge

Does anyone care that they woke up this morning feeling very rough and groggy from the alcohol abuse all set up by a brilliant victory at the Stadium of Light last night? Nope, thought so! What a way to end the home games this season in a thrilling encounter which was seriously not good for your health but that’s exactly why we love football so much. Any chairman who can celebrate the winner as madly as his own fans just goes to show how loyal this man is, and what he wants this great club to achieve in the future. Now we will have to wait and see what happens today at St. Andrews and then at our bogey ground Selhurst Park before we can really celebrate what has been one of the best seasons as a Sunderland fan for sheer excitement.

Keano was delighted to have Simpson back in his position and keeping his record of playing in the winning side every team he has pulled on a red and white strip, long may it continue. This allowed Deano to work hard and cover every blade across the park in midfield. Liam Miller partnered Whitehead in place of Dwight Yorke and Stokes replaced Stern John who made way to sit on the bench. The team that he selected was one of his strongest and a team that I would have started as Murphy has huge potential and showed it last night in a gut-busting performance.

The game started very brightly for Sunderland who looked hungry for goals to send Cotterill's men back home with nothing, Edwards was always open and able to get down the right and the first real chance fell to him in the 12th minute. Stokes, for once, found the right pass and played Carlos through on goal but his low shot was saved well by Jensen. The roar from the 44,000 faithful was back to its best and the fans sensed that if the pressure remained the opening goal would come sooner rather than later.

Sure enough Connolly, who took his time, drifted in a lovely low cross to find Murphy in acres of space to flick past the oncoming goal-keeper. It was a brilliant start and exactly what the fans and players needed to settle any nerves on the night. The game took another unpredictable twist as we received a penalty in the 21st minute; yes you did read correctly we were awarded a some what dubious spot kick. Having seen the replays now from Sky it was definitely a penalty as he caught Connolly's standing leg and prevented him from going past him. Connolly who must be low on confidence after such a long streak without a goal stepped up but unfortunately went the same way as Jensen to have his penalty tipped wide. Yet again, Sunderland were making life difficult for themselves and this miss came back to haunt Connolly 19 minutes later.

The ball was played through by Djemba-Djemba to Elliott and Ward came out like he did at QPR, with the same result, conceding a penalty. The referee this time got it wrong and was backed up by the Sky cameras as he got a touch to the ball. Up steps the prolific Andy Gray and makes the game 1-1. Bugger!

The penalty miss did affect the Sunderland players who lost their momentum and were looking forward to the half time whistle. You could tell Burnley were no match for Sunderland and got a bit lucky with a dodgy decision but overall I felt confident at the break that we would go on to get a few more in the second half.

Keano made no changes and a shock looked on the cards as we went a goal down out of no-where with a simply brilliant effort from Wade Elliott. At the time I was not impressed with Stokesy's contribution and looked to be non interested at times, he made his case much worse when he gave the ball away and allowed Elliott the room to score his wonderful strike. It may be an idea to send Stokes back out on loan or at least try him up front against Luton because left wing is definitely not his role.

This now brought out the Sunderland that we have seen take shape since Keane's arrival, backs against the walls but having the ability to bounce back (bouncebackability some may insert). The pressure was on and everyone in the Stadium helped lift the squad and get the points we desperately needed. The 2nd penalty in our favour was awarded as a brilliant ball by Miller picked out Edwards who killed the ball and rounded his marker. The keeping took his legs and the game was still alive. The referee, who should have sent the keeper off as he was the last man, failed to notice this and allowed him to stay on somehow. Connolly took the responsibility and in all fairness showed great belief in his own talent to convert the spot kick and set up a thrilling last 30 minutes.

The atmosphere was simply superb not just in the SWC where I am located but all around the ground and even in the Premier Concourse fans were standing and adding to the excitement. The noise at some times was deafening and brilliant to see return at a moment where we needed it at the most. This could be the start of something we will see as normal from next season in the Premiership, hopefully.

Sunderland created numerous chances and attacked throughout the second half in a search to find the vital winner and when it came it was worth the money and wait. In a move that started in the left back position the ball was played down the line and flicked onwards by Leadbitter to Murphy. This allowed Daryl to head goal wards in acres of space; his vision picked a simple ball along to the right to find the 'Roadrunner' Edwards. One touch, two touch..... Explosion into the top corner.... madness ensues. It took literally five seconds to actually realise what he had just done so to celebrate this wonder goal I ended up three rows in front hugging my friend and screaming in delirium. No-one could believe that he scored from so far out but no-one cared because we were now just in touching distance of the Premier League.

I don’t care what happened in the last ten minutes as the chants bellowed around the Stadium the final whistle came and more happiness followed. A perfect end to what could be a perfect season.

As the players joined in with the lap of honour after the game, nobody in the crowd could imagine that after last seasons horror show we would be top of the league and one win away from a quick return. The effort and determination that we have shown since Keano has moulded his team of grafters is nothing short of a miracle. Many thanks to Quinn and all the staff for making this a brilliant season, let’s hope Luton is a party to remember. And since I have the chance I may as well ask for a Luton ticket if anyone has one to sell for Mr. Wiggum..... Worth a try!

MOM - Carlos Edwards - we all know why.

Clancey Wiggum
Aka - Gary Johnson