The start of a footballing revolution?
Whether it was the prospect of a possible protest or previous poor form earlier in the season, there has been something in these past couple of games that has really brought the best out of the Lads. For the second time in as many matches, Sunderland, effectively, had the game wrapped up within the first quarter of an hour. Goals coming first from Julio Arca and then Stephen Wright gave the lads an early lead, which they never looked like giving up.
Understandably, manager Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side from that which trounced Gillingham just 3 days previously and the team really continued from where they left off. Again, right from kick-off, Sunderland started very brightly and were looking dangerous. Whitehead and Arca provided great width and they were both involved in the opening goal just 4 minutes into the match. Whitehead made a surging run down the right wing before cutting the ball inside to Stewart who in turn laid it off to Julio, completing the move brilliantly with a perfectly struck finish.
The early pressure continued with Sunderland looking to build on their advantage. However, it was Forest who came so close to re-writing the script. Much-hyped Marlon King missing a clear-cut chance. This proved extremely costly when, just 5 minutes later, after one of several superb Whitehead corners, Stephen Wright rose like the proverbial salmon to direct the ball past the flat-footed Forest ‘keeper.
In a half that saw Sunderland have 9 shots on goal compared to Forest’s 1, there was only ever one side that really threatened. Whitehead, Stewart and Ellliott, who was impressive throughout, all had good chances, which they were unable to convert. Forest, were aided by a fairly vocal support and against the run of play, were starting to look more like the side they once were.
This began to show even more at the beginning of the second half when Poom was twice called into action after good strikes from both David Johnson and Paul Evans. Although this was about as good as it got for Forest as they failed to come close again. Sunderland were now settling into a rhythm and the Midfield looked unbelievably comfortable on the ball. Elliott was unlucky to have a penalty shout for handball turned down and Wright was unable to keep the ball down as he fired over from 6 yards. Elliott was then replaced by new-boy Simon Johnson, who was making his home debut after coming on for Marcus Stewart on Saturday. Johnson immediately set to work and almost set up Julio for his second goal of the evening, although he was unable to hit the target. Robinson and Whitehead both managed to hit the wood-work within the space of 5 minutes as they were unfortunate not to seal the win. The game was marred though during the substitution of Arca as his replacement, John Oster was booed onto the pitch by a minority of fans. A disgraceful act that should not be used on any player in red & white. That aside, the game was brilliant and nearly got better, as Jeff Whitley came very close with a bullet shot from 20 yards.
Another excellent win that may, along with the Gillingham game, kick-start our season. If these performances are supported by some consistency along the way then Sunderland may well be a force to be reckoned with in the coming season…
Final Score: 2-0
Man of the Match : Stephen Elliott, a very talented young prospect.
Matthew Woolston
