Sunderland freefall goes on

February 2, 2010


Sunderland failed to halt their slide towards the relegation quagmire after Stoke claimed a deserved point in an uninspiring goalless stalemate here on Monday.

The draw means Steve Bruce’s side, who started the season in such promising fashion they were being tipped as contenders for Europe, have now won only once in their last 14 league matches and they are just four points above the bottom three.

Stoke had the better of the chances, with former Sunderland player Dean Whitehead enjoying a couple of good chances, although the hosts could justifiably claim they had been denied a second-half penalty following an apparent handball by Robert Huth.

Whitehead had the best chance of a lacklustre opening period with less than three minutes on the clock.

The forward did well to get clear of the home side’s back line but his tame shot was comfortably smothered by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Kenwyne Jones forced Thomas Sorensen into his first save of the evening in the 10th minute but the Trinidad and Tobago forward could not generate enough power in his shot after Michael Turner had headed down Andy Reid’s free-kick invitingly.

Steed Malbranque was narrowly off target and it required a smart clearance from Ryan Shawcross to prevent Darren Bent from opening the scoring.

Bent then created an opening for Malbranque with a cute dummy but the Frenchman’s shot did not seriously test Sorensen.

Whitehead was fortunate that referee Howard Webb appeared to be in a lenient mood, dispensing only a booking after the Stoke player kicked out at Lee Cattermole following a robust challenge from Sunderland’s midfield enforcer.

Sunderland had just about edged the first half on points, but Stoke should have taken the lead after generating two good chances in quick succession in the opening minutes of the second half.

Mamady Sidibe almost converted following a chipped Glenn Whelan free-kick, then Whitehead attempted to drill home the loose ball only for John Mensah to deflect it over the crossbar.

Sunderland had a strong penalty appeal turned down just after the hour mark when Huth appeared to stop Bent’s lofted pass with his arm.

But Stoke might easily have emerged with all three points after Ricardo Fuller was sent clear with nine minutes left. The striker had only Gordon to beat but the Scots stopper stood firm to deny him, ensuring a result which was probably just about right.

SUNDERLAND (AFP)

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Everton pile on the misery for Sunderland

January 28, 2010


Tim Cahill and Landon Donovan fired Everton to a 2-0 win over free-falling Sunderland as the Merseyside club’s revival gathered steam at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

Cahill’s seventh-minute header was quickly followed by Donovan’s first strike since his loan move from Los Angeles Galaxy and Sunderland never looked like recovering.

Steve Bruce’s strugglers, who went into the match with only one win in their previous 12 league matches, handed new signing Matthew Kilgallon a debut in defence and had influential midfielder Lee Cattermole back after more than a month out with a hamstring injury.

Everton recalled Leon Osman in place of Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and had injury victims Mikel Arteta, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe, as well as loan signing Philippe Senderos, on the bench.

Everton needed only seven minutes to take the lead through Cahill. After making good progress down the left, Leighton Baines cut the ball back for Marouane Fellaini who, in turn, sent in a cross to the near post.

Cahill met it with a clever, flicked header that found the far corner of Craig Gordon’s net.

Baines and Cahill were both involved in Everton’s second with the defender punting a long ball forward and Cahill heading it into the path of Donovan, who beat Gordon from the edge of the area with a low left-foot drive.

It was the United States international’s first strike since joining Everton earlier this month.

Kenwyne Jones, who had been dropped to the Sunderland bench following weeks of speculation about a move away from the Stadium of Light, was introduced midway through the first half after Kieran Richardson went off with an ankle injury.

But Everton continued to dominate and Cahill could have claimed his second of the night after Louis Saha’s knock-on found him in the six-yard box but the Australian could only manage an uncharacteristically weak header.

Cattermole made way for Andy Reid at half-time while full-back John Mensah switched positions with centre-half Nyron Nosworthy.

But Everton kept coming and almost made it 3-0 when Osman released Donovan, who went round Gordon but saw his goalbound shot blocked by George McCartney.

A minute later Mensah produced a last-ditch tackle to deny Saha and Osman should have done better after being played in by Donovan.

With Everton in control, manager David Moyes could afford to send on Arteta and Vaughan for late runarounds, underlining how little threat Sunderland had posed.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

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Gunners crash at Sunderland

November 22, 2009


Arsenal failed to score for the first time this season as Darren Bent maintained his impressive record against the top teams in the Premier League to earn Sunderland a 1-0 victory.

Bent has already opened the scoring for Sunderland this season in matches against the rest of the so-called elite – Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Here, his 71st minute header earned Steve Bruce’s team their first victory in five matches and showed his goalpoaching qualities.

It had been a frustrating match for Bent until he headed a corner against team-mate Fraizer Campbell and reacted quickest to lash in the rebound.

It was only Arsenal’s third defeat of the season – an outcome that appeared unlikely after the opening stages of a game that brought Sunderland their first win in five outings.

Cesc Fabregas, who had scored on his previous two visits to the Stadium of Light, was at the heart of most of their best moments as Sunderland soon found themselves stretched.

His persistence enabled him to set up a fifth minute chance for Tomas Rosicky, whose well-struck shot was blocked by the legs of Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop.

Fabregas also went close with two efforts from outside the area in an immensely encouraging start for Arsenal, who were deprived of half-a-dozen of their first team squad through injuries.

However, they possessed enough depth to include players such as Theo Walcott, Denilson and Andrey Arshavin among their substitutes.

Sunderland were also without first-team regulars Craig Gordon, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole because of injuries and suspensions.

Turner’s absence brought a recall for Ghana international John Mensah, the defender on loan from Lyon.

But Mensah, chosen ahead of Anton Ferdinand, found it difficult to adapt to the pace and mobility of Arsenal’s attack.

The same was true of several Sunderland’s players, particularly in midfield, but they did finally create two opportunities for Steed Malbranque.

The former Tottenham player, still without a goal this season, twice wasted opportunities after Arsenal failed to cut out crosses from Andy Reid.

They were rare interruptions to Arsenal’s control and Wenger’s side almost went ahead through the best move of the half in the 33rd minute.

Alex Song surged forward and exchanged passes with Eduardo before the striker’s chip drifted past the post.

Bruce’s team proved to be more effective in closing down Arsenal’s midfielders in a second-half that produced few opportunities for either side.

Andy Reid, becoming more influential as the match progressed, was narrowly wide with a 58th minute free-kick.

And, with Arsenal struggling to make progress as Fabregas’s influence waned, Sunderland stunned them by taking the lead in the 71st minute.

Bent’s goal was a reward for the former Tottenham player’s persistence on a day when his supply line was generally poor.

And it was a reward for Sunderland’s ability to recover from such a poor start and pull off a victory that will mean so much to Bruce.

It was a victory that Arsenal rarely threatened to snatch away with the exception of one moment where they forced substitute Ferdinand to clear from in front of the Sunderland goal.

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP)

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Ramsey´s supershow piles pressure on Burley

November 14, 2009


Arsenal teenager Aaron Ramsey piled more pressure on Scotland coach George Burley as his virtuoso display inspired Wales to a 3-0 win over Scotland in Saturday’s friendly.

Ramsey, 18, played a key role in the first two Wales goals from David Edwards and Simon Church and then got on the scoresheet himself to cap a superb first half display at the Cardiff City Stadium.

This was the sort of eye-catching performance that persuaded Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to pay Cardiff five million pounds to sign the midfielder in June 2008, even though he had made just a handful of appearances for the Welsh club.

He was far too good for Burley’s woeful Scots, who were completely out-classed. To make matters worse for Burley, who was handed a vote of confidence despite his failure to lead Scotland to the World Cup, he had to endure the indignity of listening to the Scottish fans calling for his sacking throughout the second half.

Burlet handed Celtic defender Danny Fox his debut, while James McFadden returned to the team and David Marshall started in goal in the absence of injured first choice Craig Gordon.

Birmingham forward McFadden threatened early on when he took Kenny Miller’s flick in stride and shot straight at Wayne Hennessey.

Miller went even closer with a powerful strike that flashed wide, but Wales took the lead in the 17th minute.

Ramsey showed great poise as he curled a cross towards Edwards and the midfielder timed his run perfectly to drive past Marshall.

The hosts pushed home their advantage in the 32nd minute as Ramsey continued to pull the strings. The teenager’s pass found Joe Ledley on the left and his cross was expertly flicked in by Church from close range.

Scotland were in disarray at the back and Ramsey exploited their fragility again three minutes later. His surging run took him past Stephen McManus and Darren Fletcher and opened up space to shoot beyond Marshall for the second goal of his brief international career.

It could have been worse for Scotland before half-time as Ched Evans saw his shot blocked by Marshall.

Furious Scotland fans made their feelings towards Burley known at half-time, but there was only a marginal improvement after the break.

Marshall was fortunate not to be sent off when he handled outside his penalty area, but referee Cyril Zimmermann let him off with a booking before Gareth Bale’s resulting free-kick was deflected wide.

Burley was the target for more verbal abuse from the Tartan Army in the closing stages but Scotland’s supporters were drifting towards the exits well before the end.

CARDIFF (AFP)

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Burnley´s Nugent double stuns Sunderland

September 19, 2009


Burnley striker David Nugent marked his home debut with his first goals since February to give the Clarets a 3-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Nugent joined Owen Coyle’s team in a six-month loan from Portsmouth on transfer deadline day and the England international made an immediate impact on his first appearance at Turf Moor.

The former Preston star hadn’t found the back of the net since scoring for Portsmouth against Liverpool last season, but he finally ended the drought in his 16th game since then to give Burnley a third home win in three attempts.

Coyle’s side, promoted via the play-offs last season, had taken the lead through a Graham Alexander penalty, but Darren Bent levelled before the break.

Then Nugent came off the bench just after the hour and turned the course of the game with two fine finishes.

Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell caused early panic in the Burnley defence with an incisive run and cross which was parried by Brian Jensen and hacked clear by Wade Elliott.

Steven Fletcher had Burnley’s first chance when he took Clarke Carlisle’s pass and drove a powerful shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

The Clarets were on the front foot again in the 12th minute and this time they got the breakthrough.

Anton Ferdinand needlessly tripped Elliott, who was running away from goal in the right corner of the penalty area and referee Chris Foy pointed to the spot.

Burnley captain Alexander stepped up to lash the penalty past Craig Gordon to open the scoring.

Steve Bruce’s team mounted an impressive response to that setback. Bent should have punished a mistake by Andre Bikey but shot straight at Jensen in the 21st minute.

Bent wouldn’t rue that miss for long. In the 39th minute Reid played a superb pass into the Burnley penalty area and Bent, cleverly timing his run to stay onside, slotted past Jensen for his fifth goal of the season.

Campbell almost put the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute when his low drive was blocked well at close range by Jensen after a neat lay-off by Steed Malbranque.

But with clear chances at a premium, Coyle sent on Nugent just past the hour.

It took just minutes for Nugent to make an impact as he met Elliott’s cross from the right and headed past Gordon.

Nugent scored just three goals in 34 league games for Portsmouth, but he had two for Burnley in less than half an hour after curling home a superb strike from long-range in the 86th minute.

BURNLEY, England (AFP)

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Scotland keep World Cup dream alive

September 5, 2009


Scotland kept their World Cup dream alive with a 2-0 win over Macedonia at Hampden courtesy of Scott Brown’s first international goal and a superb solo effort from James McFadden.

Macedonia, inspired by Lazio’s Goran Pandev, had looked the better team in the first-half but a magnificent second-half showing sealed the three points for Scotland, who now need to beat the Netherlands on Wednesday to secure second place in Group Nine.

Brown, who caused controversy in the first-half when he refused to return the ball to the Macedonians from a drop-kick, headed Scotland into the lead.

McFadden scored the second after a mazy run starting in his own half ended with him rounding Jane Nikoloski to score and help ease the pressure on under-fire manager George Burley.

Scotland struggled to cope with Macedonia’s movement up front in the early stages and Goran Pandev in particular came in for some tough treatment from the Scottish defenders.

The first chance of the match fell to the Lazio striker when IIcho Naumoski laid the ball off to him in the box and Pandev’s thumping strike from just inside the area produced a fine save from Craig Gordon low down at his near post.

Things got worse for Scotland in the 13th minute when Burley’s game plan was thrown into disarray as Preston’s Callum Davidson limped off with a hamstring injury to be replaced at left-back by Steven Whittaker.

Scotland slowly settled into the game and were soon presented with a chance. McFadden’s deflected free-kick fell to Graham Alexander who laid it off to Brown and his powerful strike just went wide.

Another set-piece in the 24th minute produced another chance when Brown spun his marker on the edge of the box after controlling a Darren Fletcher free-kick but his angled drive hit the side netting.

Macedonia always looked dangerous on the attack and Gordon was called into action in the 44th minute when Pandev’s shot took a deflection but the Sunderland keeper did enough to keep it out.

Trouble broke out on the stroke of half-time when the ball was put out of play for a Macedonian player to receive treatment.

Instead of giving the ball back to the visitors Brown whacked the ball off a Macedonian to win a corner.

The Macedonian players reacted furiously to Brown’s unsporting behaviour and in the resulting melee McFadden was booked, meaning he will miss Wednesday’s qualifier against Holland.

Scotland started the second-half brightly and McFadden should have given them the lead in the 50th minute.

Fletcher’s cross fell to the Birmingham City star on the edge of the box but after twisting and turning to create room for himself he mishit his shot to send it high over the bar.

At the other end Pandev was sent clean through on goal but Gordon did well to block his shot and clear the danger.

Macedonia survived a scare in the 52nd minute when Nikoloski’s save from a Kenny Miller shot spun across the face of goal but Igor Mitreski scrambled the ball away for a corner as Fletcher slid in.

Scotland’s pressure paid off when Brown gave Scotland the lead in the 56th minute.

Fletcher floated in a cross from the left and the Celtic star got in front of his marker to glance a header into the bottom corner of the net.

McFadden sealed the win in the 80th minute with a superb solo goal. The Birmingham star picked up the ball in his own half before beating one man and then running through the middle of Mitreski and Goce Sedloski.

He then raced into the box and rounded Nikoloski before stroking the ball into the empty net.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Burley gambles on Kyle for final throw of dice

August 25, 2009


Beleaguered Scotland boss George Burley defended his decision to hand Kevin Kyle a shock recall to the international set-up after rewarding the Kilmarnock striker for his freescoring recent form.

The 28-year-old forward, who last appeared for his country in 2004 during Berti Vogts’ ill-fated spell in charge, has been included in a 25-man squad for make-or-break World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and the Netherlands next month.

Scotland must win their last two qualifiers to have any chance of snatching second place in group nine — which the Dutch have already won — and reaching next year’s finals in South Africa via the play-offs.

Burley, who is widely expected to be sacked if Scotland fail to get the wins they need, has also handed recalls to veteran Rangers defender David Weir, Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon and injured Celtic defender Stephen McManus.

He insisted that former Sunderland and Coventry hitman Kyle, who comes in at the expense of the injured Ross McCormack, would give Scotland something they have been lacking of late.

“Kevin gives us that physical prescence, he scored eight in nine at the end of last season. He had a knock in pre-season but came back and scored two goals on the first game of the season.

“He is strong and aggressive and can score goals. We don’t have that type of player and that’s the reason we brought him in. I’ve taken advice on him as well. Kevin is a bit different and that’s something you might look to start or bring on as a sub in the last ten minutes if you’re looking to get the ball into the box early.”

While Kyle is not assured of a starting place, Burley confirmed that Gordon, who made his first competitive start in four months in Sunderland’s 4-1 League Cup win over Norwich on Monday, and Weir will both start against Macedonia on September 5.

Weir, 39, was dropped from the squad that was beaten 4-0 in Norway last month but with Gary Caldwell suspended for the clash against Macedonia as a result of the red card he received in Oslo and doubts over the fitness of Steven Caldwell and McManus, Burley said he had no choice but to bring him back to the fold.

He added: “I’ve been in touch with Davie ever since I’ve been the manager. He has played in some of the games but he’s coming on 40 and it’s a big ask for a player of his age to play international football. He is a model professional and one I’ve always admired, but you are always trying to introduce other players.

“I wouldn’t pick him unless I was going to play him. We felt that if I wasn’t going to play him it would be better if he was preparing with his club. He will be in the starting line-up for this game. International football is a big jump from the SPL. We have a number of centre-halves not 100 percent fit, Gary Caldwell is suspended, so David comes into the equation.”

Provided he stays fit, Weir will become Scotland’s oldest outfield player since Jimmy McMenemy in 1920.

Burley dodged questions about his own future but it seems increasingly likely that he will be dismissed if he fails to take Scotland to at least the play-offs to give them a crack of competing in a major tournament for the first time since the World Cup in 1998.

“Macedonia are level on points with us and have a lot of talent,” he said.

“I am sure it will be very close and if things go for us then hopefully we can take the three points into the Holland game. My focus is for Scotland and I will do my best for my country, nothing else matters Will I keep my job? Who knows, but I will do my best to get the results. This is for my country and I will do my best.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Depleted Scots wary of resurgent Norway

August 12, 2009


Scotland assistant coach Steven Pressley has warned his players to be wary of the aerial threat Norway pose as they prepare to clash at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium in their crucial Group Nine World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday.

The Norwegian attack is likely to be spearheaded by Aston Villa’s bulky striker John Carew and Steffen Iversen.

They will face a new look Scotland defence with first choice keeper Craig Gordon and regular captain Stephen McManus both ruled out with injury.

The absence of Celtic’s McManus has thrown the door open for Burnley player Steven Caldwell to partner his brother Gary in the centre of the Scottish defence.

If Steven gets the nod from manager George Burley it will be his first cap since 2006 and the first time the Caldwell brothers have played in the same Scotland side since a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia nearly five years ago.

Whoever plays in Oslo they will have to defend an inexperienced keeper with likely replacements Neil Alexander of Rangers and Gordon Marshall of Cardiff City having only a handful of caps between them.

But former Scotland player Pressley, himself a central defender who faced the Norwegians in Scotland’s last two visits to the Scandanavian country, believes Scotland’s squad is strong enough to claim a win that would take them closer to their first major tournament finals since 1998.

“The Norwegians are quite an aggressive team, and quite a physical team. They like to make you defend your box,” Pressley said.

“They have several players capable of delivering a long throw, and they have John Carew as a physical presence.

“They do like to get the ball into the box and ask questions of you defensively within your area, and you have to be prepared to stand up to that.

“There’s no doubt we were asked to defend crosses and balls into our box in those games. I am not saying it will be an aerial bombardment but in my experience they ask questions of you defensively.

“But I think we’ve got the players capable of handling this and men who will relish this type of game.”

Norway currently occupy bottom spot in the five team group but only trail the Scots by three points, with whom they drew 0-0 at Hampden earlier this year.

The onus to attack is on Egil Olsen’s side who need a win to rekindle their ambitions of overtaking Scotland and securing second-spot.

But a win for the Scots will strengthen their chances of claiming a place in the play-offs for South Africa in 2010 with two home games against Macedonia and run-away group winners the Netherlands to finish qualifying.

And Pressley has targeted six points from the last three games as enough to take Scotland to the play-offs.

“It would be nice if it was nine out of nine, bearing in mind one second-placed side will not make it to the play-offs,” Pressley said.

“So this is a very, very important game for us because, if we do win it, then the runners-up place is within touching distance for us.

“The pressure, because of their position in the group, is on Norway to come and win.

“Nothing short of a victory for them will be a good result, so the onus is on them to come out, which suits us as a team.”

Scotland will have Scott Brown available after his successful return from injury in Celtic’s match against Dynamo Moscow.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Burley turns up heat on Norway

August 7, 2009


Scotland boss George Burley turned up the heat ahead of Wednesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway by claiming all the pressure is on their rivals.

Burley’s men are currently in second position and four points clear Egil Olsen’s outfit, who have yet to win a game and are currently bottom of Group Nine.

Holland look destined to grab the automatic qualification spot, but Scotland have high hopes of finishing behind them with enough points to book a play-off place.

The 90 minutes in Oslo represent a final chance for Norway and Burley believes that is the perfect opportunity to kill off another rival in their bid to reach the finals in South Africa next summer.

He said: “We have the advantage at the moment as we are sitting second and they are bottom of the section. We are going there to get the right result for ourselves. I don’t think it’s a bad time to play them.

“They are the team that are under pressure at the moment. We are going there to try and build from our performance in the last game against Iceland. I was pleased with the shape and the way we played. We have to go there in the same manner and I’m sure that if we do, we can get a positive result.”

Norway passed up a host of chances during the 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture at Hampden and Burley expects his defence to face another examination, with Aston Villa John Carew expected to be the main threat.

“He is a world-class striker,” said Burley “We will have to be wary of that. They like to get the ball early to him and feed off him. We have to be ready.”

The Scots assembled at their training base at Loch Lomond with just 13 players as a number of Burley’s key men, including skipper and Manchester United ace Darren Fletcher, are playing for their clubs this weekend.

Fletcher chose to play for the Red Devils at Wembley against Chelsea in the Community Shield – the annual curtain raiser to the English Premier League season.

Burley admits it will be anxious few days as he hopes his squad, which is already without first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon through injury, remains intact.

He said: “It will be a nervy weekend. They are always nervy but you usually have longer to prepare for World Cup games. It’s not ideal but that won’t take away from our focus.

“We fly out on Monday, so if anybody gets knocks it doesn’t give them too long to get over them. Hopefully they come through without any problems.

“Darren Fletcher is totally committed to Scotland and it’s understandable that he wanted to play for Manchester United. He was in an impossible position, it’s a big match and there is always huge competition for places at his club. You can’t blame him and we’re hoping he will be fine.”

One man who is with the squad is Celtic’s Scott Brown.

He has been suffering from an ankle injury but played an hour of the Hoops’ friendly last week against Sunderland before making an impact as a sub in their 2-0 win over Dynamo Moscow on Wednesday.

Burley added: “It’s very much about taking each day with Scott and assessing the situation closer to the game.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Sunderland sign England striker Bent

August 5, 2009


Sunderland finally completed their club record 10 million pounds swoop for Tottenham striker Darren Bent on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old had become increasingly frustrated after Tottenham’s transfer demands forced him to wait for over a week to move to the Stadium of Light.

The England international even criticised Spurs chairman Daniel Levy on the Twitter website before being forced to apologise for his comments.

But Bent was able to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Steve Bruce’s team after the last financial details were agreed between the two clubs.

“Steve Bruce finally has his man as Sunderland have confirmed the 10 million pounds signing of Spurs striker Darren Bent,” a statement on Sunderland’s website confirmed.

Bent becomes the Black Cats’ fourth close-season signing after the arrivals of Fraizer Campbell, Lorik Cana and Paulo Da Silva.

Bent’s fee surpasses Sunderland’s previous biggest deal – the nine million pounds capture of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon from Hearts.

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP)

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