One real criticism of Sunderland in the last few seasons is that they lacked the flair exhibited in recent times. A criticism that could not have been heard anywhere around the SOL at 10 o’ clock tonight as, after a second half of 3 superb goals, things are finally beginning to look up.
However, things did not seem so good for all of tonight. Although McCarthy named the same side as Saturday, contrary to recent form, things started badly. The Lads were on the back foot from the off as, within the first ten minutes, both Colin Cameron and Carl Cort missed good chances. While Sunderland managed to hold them off for 18 minutes, Wolves took a deserved lead through Miller, who curled a good shot past Mhyre out-stretched left hand after he was allowed far too much time on the ball. Seemingly stunned by this goal, Sunderland had no answer for the rest of the half. Carl Robinson saw his header turned onto the bar and Wright saw his cleared off the line from the resulting corner but this was all Sunderland had to offer and they went into the break behind.
The second half, though, was a completely different story. McCarthy introduced Bridges, who replaced Stewart at half time and, although his impact was not sudden, it was definitely felt. It would have taken a moment of brilliance to change the game and this was what occurred. Liam Lawrence received the ball in a rather innocuous spot on the left wing before he cut inside, took the ball on his right foot and curled it, superbly, into the far corner, looping over the hapless Wolves’ ‘keeper. This spurred the previously dormant Sunderland into brilliant life. Whitley was working harder than ever, Arca was, once again, in a different class and even Robinson climbed out of his hidey-hole. Then, like Lawrence previously, Arca received the ball in rather the same position. He again cut inside before squaring the ball to Elliott in the box, who, after teeing himself up, turned on a sixpence and smacked the ball in to the top left corner, hitting the underside on its way in. A memorable, striker’s goal if there ever was one. Still, there was more to come, after more good work from Julio down the left, he chipped the ball to the back post where the man of the moment, Lawrence grabbed his second, and Sunderland’s third of the game to seal an important and, at one stage, unlikely victory.
Man of the Match: Liam Lawrence
Matthew Woolston
