After my combined breakfast and lunch consisting of a half a box of chocolates and half a bag of Jellies (along with 2 tangerines to make myself feel better having some ‘proper’ food) I ventured out to the match. I like Boxing Day games and the whole holiday period in general for football. Its tradition, it means a load of games and it gives you something to do on an otherwise crap day. Whingers like Benitez can get stuffed if they’re not happy with playing 4 games in 10 days. It’s just the way it is here.
Focusing on the game and it was another must win after the Palace defeat in order to stay in touch, particularly with the standard of todays opposition. A game against Leeds always evokes great memories and gives a certain gravitas but while we still maintain a shred of decency and remain within a touch of the big time, Leeds are big in only their history. The squad is a list of nobodies and their performances and league position suggests they’re heading for another fall down the leagues.
Again, as so often this season, the first half was a largely turgid effort, lacking in any pace and guile. We had a few attacks on the Leeds goal but nothing sustained and never looked like scoring. Another game where we started slow. The management are aware of it, the players will be, so it must be just down to their ability – we aren’t good enough to batter teams from the off. Simple as that.
Keanes criticism of the Crystal Palace performance was that the players didn’t earn the right to win the game. Well, today you could say we did. The 2nd half was much brighter, the wide players were used much better and the play was quicker and passing crisper.
However after 20 minutes of the second period it was still goalless despite Connolly and Murphy going close. Stephen Elliott, once again was probably the brightest player on the pitch but stuck wide right so didn’t see much of the ball. When Keane decided to make changes, it didn’t go down well that he was one to be replaced. I could understand why Keane wanted Wallace on and to leave Murphy on but I’d have picked another player to come off rather than Elliott.
However, I’m not sure if it was good luck or good management but soon after Connolly (the man who I would have took off) came up with the first goal. A nice through ball from Yorke, Connolly brought it back from the touchline, moved into the box and sneaked a shot in the near post.
A little bit of pressure from Leeds followed but they never looked like scoring. I don’t think Caldwell and Varga have had easier games. The second for Sunderland was a great left foot shot from Leadbitter on the edge of the box after a nice breakaway. The game was over at 1-0 really but this was a final nail in Leeds’ coffin.
It’s hard to see how they’ll get out of the mess they’re in; they’re probably the worst team at the SOL this season.
Liam Miller once more had a fine game and despite having seemingly a lot of prejudiced criticism, Yorke (with a more advanced role today) again passed the ball around well and wasted it rarely. Nobody else stood out but Nyatanga again didn’t impress. He’s a solid enough defender but very average going forward and today, that was where we needed him most of all. It was no surprise he was subbed for Collins. The jury is still out on him.
The final 5 minutes could have seen 3 or 4 more goals but for last ditch tackles and good saves from Miller and Connolly particularly. However, it was a good win, in front of a good crowd. Hopefully a few of them will come back for Saturdays much bigger game.
Man of the match – Liam Miller
Report by marcopaul