Revenge is sweet isn’t it? After all the heartbreak caused by Milwall last year in both the league and cup, the Lads finally got their own back after a battling, if slightly second-rate performance. An own goal from everyone’s favourite Aussie, Mr. Muscat, 20 minutes from time proved to be the only goal of the game and granted Sunderland their fourth home win of the Championship campaign.
Whilst all the talk before the game was of Thornton making a return to the side along with the previously injured Stewart and Bridges, none of those players were to feature in the fairly youthful starting line-up. Stewart and Bridges had to settle for a place on the bench while Thornton, rumoured to be injured, was nowhere to be seen.
In the first 15 minutes, the youth in the team was utilised to full effect as Sunderland started very brightly. There was great movement and pace up-front from Johnston while Arca and McCartney were great and whipping in good crosses whenever they could. However, none of these crosses brought about a clear cut chance and it didn’t take long for Milwall to regain composure and for the latter part of the half it was them who looked most likely to break the deadlock. Poom was force to make a Monty-esque diving save, scrambling across the goalmouth before pushing McCamm’s 6-yard effort onto the crossbar. The Lions continued this pressure up till half time as well, as Harris and Livermore both failed to convert their chances although Simon Johnson could have opened the scoring if his touch hadn’t let him down when through on goal. With only a few minutes of the half remaining Johnson was, as described by McCarthy, “raped, mugged and pick-pocketed, in the box but bizarrely still had his penalty claim turned down.
Again, Sunderland started the second half well as Arca and Robinson both had good shots blocked. In another introduction of pace into the side, Lawrence replaced Whitehead, while, much to the delight of everyone of almost everyone inside the SOL, Stickman came on to make his home debut. The first of these substitutes played a great part in the winning goal as his low, hard cross led to Muscat rather innocuously firing into his own net. Poetic justice at its brilliant best. After that, there was really only going to be one winner. Caldwell and Collins looked solid at the back while Whitley, cool and calm throughout, did all the work in the midfield. There was only one thing left was Wise’s thugs to do and that was cheat. Having pulled and pushed throughout they now resorted to tripping and fighting. Wise himself was lucky to escape without a booking although his attempt to look hard turned out to be no more bitch-slap on Lawrence’s back. They hacked and fouled but were unable to break down the defence and consequently handed the Lads their first win in 3 games. A relief for the many fans that were beginning to think that Promotion hopes were starting to fade.
Result: 1-0
Sunderland Man of The Match: Jeff Whitley
Milwall Man of The Match: Kevin Muscat, don’t you just love him?
Matthew Woolston
