When you talk the talk, it’s imperative that you then have to go out and walk the walk. For the past week we have heard player after player come out and say that they think we are good enough to get promoted and fans at the ground were greeted by placards reading, “Breen : We are the best”. Luckily for him and the other outspoken players, the Lads went part-way to proving this today with an unconvincing, but solid win.
It was all change at the back and front as Neil Collins came in for Steven Caldwell, sidelined by a hamstring injury, and Michael Bridges replaced Steven Elliott. These changes in important position may have been a contributing factor to the poor Sunderland start as the team failed to gel together. For the first 15 minutes both sides looked edgy and really failed to create, with the only real chance falling to Robbie Blake who fired just over within the first minute. The only attacking promise was coming from the flanks as the full backs were again combining well with the wingers. Although, after good work from Arca, Bridges forced the keeper to make a superb, flailing save. Around ten minutes later, the previous promise was converted into something worthwhile, as after a good run and excellent hold up play, Bridges slotted through a slide-rule pass to Arca who calmly curled the ball into the far corner. 1-0 and that was it, we’ll just cruise it from there. Or not, just a couple of minutes later, after several poor tackle and a shocking Breen clearance, a low cross found it’s was to Michael Branch who eased the ball home from 6 yards. This was to be the last action of the half as Burnley seemed happy to rest on their goal and Sunderland seemed stunned.
Unsurprisingly nowadays, the second half was different. It is said Sunderland are a second half side and this was once again proved accurate, as, within the first five minutes they had once again regained their lead. A short corner, then crossed by Lawrence was already heading goalwards before Michael Bridges manage to bundle it into the net from about a foot out. This was to be the start of a good spell of Sunderland pressure as they looked to add to their lead. Bridges, Brown, Arca and McCartney all had chances before the pressure seemed to ease off. Sunderland then, strangely, began to sit well back and invite Burnley onto them. O’Connor fired a shot into the side netting, forcing McCarthy to make all his substitutions. The two front men were replaced by Elliott and Stewart, a testament to our strength in depth this season, before Arca, a cut above the rest as ever, was replaced by Jeff Whitley. This move meant Stewart went to the left wing, leaving Elliott up front on his own, a move that invited more pressure. Pressure, however, that for the last ten minutes led to nothing, meaning Sunderland grabbed there second consecutive win and now lie only one point behind leaders Wigan who play second-placed Ipswich on Monday.
Man of the Match: George McCartney
Matthew Woolston