What a travesty!
22 October 2007
West Ham 3 Sunderland 1
Sunderland put in a fine performance at Upton Park, playing some good stuff and making many chances but, somehow, came away pointless.
After allowing old boy McCartney too much space to cross from the left and then failing to pick up Carlton Cole, they found themselves undeservedly a goal behind. But, as ever, Sunderland will always show the grit and determination required and, on this occasion, also showed ability to pass their way through and also deliver tempting crosses.
The major threat from these crosses came from Kenwyn Jones who put in another fine performance and it was no surprise when he rose majestically above the Hammers defence to smack home a fine equaliser, much to the delight of the many fans who had made the trip.
Sunderland continued to dominate and there looked like there was only going to be one winner of this game. But football can be cruel.
Leadbitter made a great run to get on to a flick from Jones and hit the ball as well as he could possibly have wished. It was heading towards the top corner, celebrations pending, but somehow Green got the merest of touches on the ball and it crashed against the inside of the post and back into play. A real turning point.
Sunderland continued to dominate with the home side trying to hit on the break and, unfortunately they did. Poor defending from a cross allowed the ball to come all the way through to former Toon man Solano and he hit the ball sweetly past Gordon. However it hit the post, came back out and hit the legs of Craig Gordon and rolled into the net. I repeat, football can be cruel.
Amazingly West Ham got a third, again on the break when another former Newcastle player, Craig Bellamy neatly slotted a cross from Boa Morte.
Roy Keane can only be happy with the overall performance, particularly from an attacking point of view, but there is no doubt in my mind that he will not at all be happy with a couple of moments of indecision at the back that cost his team dearly.
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