Watching the FA cup draw is, for me and, I‘m sure for many others, an exciting event in itself. All the time spent, waiting for that ideal draw. This year, initially, I greeted the draw against Palace with some apprehension, but as time went on I realised that this game was going to be about one thing, payback. Having witnessed the shocking scenes at Selhurst and felt the disappointment after the second leg I do, and probably always will, hold a deep sense of bitterness towards those unpleasant South-Londoners. Today though, the Lads went some way to, at least beginning to erode this bitterness with a spirited, hard-fought and thoroughly well deserved win.
Though, with the performance last week putting forward more questions than answers, this game, clearly, was also going to be about regaining, even for a short while, the sort of form shown by Sunderland during better times earlier in the season. With Arca, Lawrence, Breen and Whitley all sidelined this game, like last week’s clearly tested Sunderland’s strength in depth. However, this time they passed with flying colours. Their replacements, namely Collins, Welsh, Thornton and Whitehead, acquitted themselves more than capably and, in the cases of Welsh and Thornton, far exceeded any expectations.
By reverting back to the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation, it could have been argued that Mick was opting for a more defensive styles of play, but, again with hindsight, this would have been an incorrect assumption to make as Sunderland looked more flowing and creative, whilst also being able to keep their shape and defend as a unit. Their creativity was highlighted throughout the beginning of the half as Andy Welsh somehow hit his shot against the bar when it was harder to miss than score and Elliott failed to power his header goalwards with any real authority. Whilst, before the game, Ian Dowie spoke of his worry that his team might be kicked to bits by a lower-league team, Sunderland’s early pressure meant it was his side that did exactly this. Andy Johnson flew maliciously into Neil Collins, sparking a battle that eventually led to them both receiving yellow cards. A battle that would also, in part, contribute to the first goal of the game. As Collins continued to mark Johnson very tightly, Leigertwood found himself in acres of space, allowing him to cross neatly into the path of Johnson. Collins, whilst trying to prevent Johnson from showing him up, managed to do all that himself, turning the ball into his own net before Johnson could get a touch. Whilst this was more than a large scare at the time, it turned out to be just a minor blemish on an otherwise faultless performance as, only two minutes later, from a free kick on the right hand side, Andy Welsh whipped in a stunning cross, beating everyone including the Palace ‘keeper before nestling in the bottom corner.
With this, the opportunity was once again presented to turn a half-time draw into a full-time win. An opportunity that, like on so many other occasions this season, was seized with both hands. 15 minutes into the second half, admittedly after a fairly even start, Stewart latched onto a superb long ball from Welsh, before making his way into the box and falling over with the sort of “professionalism” shown by Palace at the end of last season. Whilst this may be criticised, it was superb to see the referee pointing to the spot and realising the tables were, finally, turned. Not only could Palace fans feel hard done by, it was to be a penalty that, again like last season, that would decide the game. But instead of Whitley failing to score, we had Stewart, ever cool from 12 yards, who, having seen the ‘keeper move, fired straight down the middle to give Sunderland the lead. A lead, which for the final half an hour they were, now able to keep. Although Palace had chances, to once again snatch a win, particularly through Johnson, the substitutions of Brown, Bridges and Piper meant Sunderland were always going to emerge fittest and, towards the end of the game, even looked like adding to their lead. Thornton, having unfortunately looked like Whitley without the tackling in the first half, became stronger as the game went on and showed why he now merits a place in the starting lineup with attacking prowess and some surging runs, resulting in him hitting the bar twice in as many minutes. He even managed to work back as well, like the rest of the players who closed down the Eagles at every opportunity and all contributed, in the end, to a superb victory.
If they only put in performances like this consistently it might not just be cup runs they find themselves on but unbeaten runs in the league as well, something that is vital to the promotion push. But, it’s not all about the league and the Lads now have the fourth round draw to look forward to. Hopefully, a game against a lower-league club is on the cards, Yeading anyone?
Man of the Match: Andy Welsh
Matthew Woolston