We almost pulled off City shock
YOU couldn't make it up – but then this being Sunderland, you don't have to.
Up against a side chasing a top-four spot, we were just seconds away from claiming all three points.
However, with the clock running down, up steps a boyhood Sunderland fan, and a one-time target for the Black Cats to curl in a late leveller.
Having waited 14 Premier League games and more than 100 days for a win, maybe it was expecting too much to hope for two in the space of five days.
And yet, we almost pulled it off – having gone in front after just nine minutes, we kept that lead until time added on.
Of course, towards the end we were hanging on a little as Manchester City launched wave upon wave of attacks.
That they didn't breach our defences earlier was down to yet another solid display at the back from John Mensah and some superb goalkeeping from Craig Gordon.
Ever since he came to Wearside with a 9m price tag, some have expected miracles from the Scot, but injuries and the odd slip-up have led to him being much-maligned in some quarters.
Yesterday we saw some of the reasons why ex-boss Roy Keane was persuaded to splash the cash to land him.
Had it not been for Gordon we could have come away without any points instead of one, and it was because of him that we came so close to getting all three.
Steed Malbranque also had another excellent game, but the key to the match for the Wearsiders was Kenwyne Jones.
The striker opened the scoring and gave the City defence a torrid time in the opening half, but sadly he was withdrawn with an injury at the break.
That proved a real turning point because it seemed to allow the visitors to get forward far more, and they posed a greater attacking threat in the second half.
But to make matters worse, it is now feared that the muscle injury could keep him out for up to a month. That is a massive blow.
I know every team is hit by injuries at some point during the season, but we seem to have suffered more than most.
We may not have looked like world beaters against City or even in the 4-0 win over Bolton Wanderers, but there were signs that we might be starting to turn things around.
Sadly, that good work could be undone by the loss of Jones who, in my opinion, has been absolutely immense in the last couple of matches.
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
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