After beating Stoke City four nil two weeks ago, Sunderland’s next two fixtures against Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion would have surely given even the most pessimistic of supporter reason to believe we might of had the chance to finally get our season up and running.
But after a dismal display away at Carrow Road ending in comprehensive defeat, then Titus Bramble getting up to his old dirty tricks (allegedly) just hours after the game to heap more misery on the club, the West Brom fixture became even more of a must win game for the lads and manager Steve Bruce- who’s job seems to be hanging by a thread.
Due to Bramble’s suspension by the club, Michael Turner returned to central defence making his first appearance since April.
Lee Cattermole also returned to the side making his 50th appearance in Red and White at the expense of David Vaughan with Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner leading the goal charge.
But it was the visitors who proved most dangerous in front of goal in the early stages. Having scored only three goals all season, West Brom went two ahead in the first five minutes.
James Morrison headed the baggies in front beating Wes Brown in the air from Chris Brunt’s lofted free kick. A soft goal to be conceding four minutes into the game.
One minute later Craig Gardner’s tackle just inside the Sunderland half produced a defence splitting pass landing at the feet of Shane Long who skinned Turner for pace and produced a neat finish rolling the ball past Simon Mignolet into the bottom corner of the goal. Two nil down, five minutes played- just what the crowd needed.
Boos briefly rang around the Stadium of light as the ball rolled over the line. But choruses of Red and White army soon drowned out the negativity as the crowd realised getting behind the lads was now the only option with an almighty challenge now on our hands.
The lads did however react pretty well, Sessegnon’s scuffed shot from inside the box was helped on its way in by Sebastian Larsson only to be quickly ruled out for outside. Frustration was clear for all to see as Larsson slammed the ball down in front of referee Mason, picking up the first yellow card of the game.
Sunderland pressed further, a neat passing move involving Sessegnon and Larsson’s back heeled pass put Bendtner through on goal whose deflected shot sailed over Ben Foster for 1-2 giving the Dane his first goal in Red and White following his loan move from Arsenal.
Then just two minutes later the industrious Bendtner picked the ball up out wide on the left wing, swinging in a great right footed cross for Ahmed Elmohamady to head in brilliantly for the equaliser on 26 minutes turning the atmosphere inside the ground on its head. The header was also the Egyptian’s first goal for the club.
On 36 minutes the lively Sessegnon broke down the middle of the park with surging pace pushing past two Albion men before passing to Bendtner out on the left. The on loan Gunner tried to curl the ball towards goal from an angle but could only manage to roll the ball softly into Fosters hands.
Sitting not too far from the back of the ground, the top few rows which have metal flooring provided the perfect surface for the lads behind me to stamp on the floor kicking off the loudest ‘Red and White army’ chants I’ve heard all season.
The half time whistle blew to a mixture of clapping and a few boos. But this was now a game we looked like we should be going on to win, West Brom’s defence looked equally as shaky as our own.
The second half proved a less fruitful affair than the first, with Sunderland and the Baggies both looking like they felt it was just as important to protect their point as it was to push for a winner.
Sessegnon looked dangerous throughout weaving in and out of several challenges making his way into the Albion box, but he lacked a finish yet again.
The best chance of the second half came for Sunderland as a Larsson free kick from the left hand side swung to the back post finding Wes Brown unmarked. He headed low into the ground with the ball bouncing tamely over the bar when he should have at least hit the target.
Sessegnon was involved again going forward, dribbling with pace on the hour mark towards the West Brom box putting Elmohamady through on goal, his shot was side footed straight into Fosters body and out for a corner. Another good chance wasted.
Lee Cattermole was subbed for Jack Colback on 70 minutes as the skipper -already on a booking, flew into a challenge on Steven Reid which he could have easily received his second yellow. How many times have we seen Cattermole see red on his first appearance back after injury or banning?
In truth we really should have took the game by the scruff of the neck and buried them. West Brom provided very little at all in the second half, you can’t help to feel if we had a second striker we would be putting this type of game to bed instead of laboring to draws.
Ji Dong-Won and David Meyler were introduced late on for Sunderland, but the game had already fizzled out into a stalemate.
The sight of Meyler back on the field was certainly a welcome sight for all after a terrible spell on the sidelines through injury.
The final whistle drew and end to an entertaining game and one which Sunderland should have really gone on to win. A mixed reception for the players at the end, although no doubt this was mainly aimed at Bruce as the result and opening to the game did nothing to ease the pressure building on his shoulders.
The lack of strike power and strength down the left hand side is a major worry and something that had to be addressed in the transfer window but wasn’t. Is that entirely Bruce’s fault? Well I’m afraid he is the manager, and we are lead to believe he certainly has the financial backing.
It’s back to back away days at Arsenal then Bolton next for the lads, we certainly haven’t done too badly in either of these fixtures in the last few seasons, but I can’t say I’m expecting much from what’s been on show so far this season.
KEEP THE FAITH.
34,815. (West Brom support- poor, maybe a sign of the credit crunching times)
Jonathan L