| SUNDERLAND VS NEWCASTLE 21/04/01 |
| SUNDERLAND FANS VIEWS.... Despite worries that Bobby Robson's men would not turn up at the Stadium of Light after Robson told the BBC last weekend that "Sunderland are always hard to beat at Roker Park" Roker Park! If you didn't see it- Shame on You! The two teams did both line up in the Stadium of Light to watch what proved to be, the most tense match I've ever seen, with the fans from both teams hoping and praying the match will go their way more than ever before. This game was played at 5:15pm for Sky coverage. A bit annoying when you live so far from Sunderland! The Newcastle team lined up almost the same as Monday when they beat West Ham 2-1, just Christian Bassedas who replaces Rob Lee in the centre of midfield. There were 3 changes for Sunderland and some position changing for the best: Michael Gray returns to left back after a neck injury, replacing George McCartney. Patrice Carteron comes back to the right back position, forcing Darren Williams to drop down to the bench. Niall Quinn returns from a recurring back injury, who replaces Don Hutchison, back with Kevin Phillips up front. Hutchison moves to right midfield, so Julio Arca moves to left midfield, thus removing Kevin Kilbane from the team after a whole season of shocking performances from Irish international. The teams were welcomed to the pitch by a sea of red and white stripes because every Sunderland fan got a red or white placard, which we held in front of us, making the whole stadium a mass of red and white stripes except the away end, because the Mags ripped up their black and white placards. Reckless. Thick. No offence to the Newcastle away supporters of course. Early signs of the game hinted a fairly equal game with pretty much even possession, although not many chances at all. But by the first quarter hour, Sunderland seemed the more dominant team with a couple of chances. Argentinian Julio Arca was in his element with a poor Newcastle midfield perfect for him to roam freely around the pitch with his fast running and brilliant crosses. Half time and no goals. Sunderland the much better team, which continued through the second half as well. By this time the Newcastle fans are very anxious as their side, with the exception of former Sunderland loan man Shay Given, were not performing well. The 2nd half was the turn around for Sunderland side, who, despite dominating the first half, were superb, with a host of chances all round the pitch, with only Given stopping the shots. On the 61st minute, Gary Speed of Newcastle lost possession to Sunderland's Don Hutchison, who was followed by Patrice Carteron, but then veered off to the box, ready to meet Hutchison's cross, who headed it in to the back of the net, superb goal for the loan- ranger Carteron, the French right back. Against the run of play, on the 76th minute, substitute Andy Griffin of Newcastle, in the box, passed it to Andy O'Brien who shot it into the back of the net. Messy goal, but even messy goals count. Sunderland at that time were excited because they thought they'd won the Tyne-Wear double for the fans, but it wasn't to be after Andy O'Brien's goal. Sunderland were unlucky. All of their great chances had been saved. Phillips especially, who, is going through a dry spell of goals. He had several chances saved by Shay Given. It has to be said, and I have an unbiased opinion, that Sunderland, today, were the better side. In the 'Mail On Sunday' dated 22nd April 2001, I saw in the tiny column they call the Sunderland VS Newcastle match report, this following couple of sentences: "[Kevin Phillips] The unhappy striker and his under-achieving team [Sunderland] have an uncanny symmetry. Phillips has scored just one goal in the last 12 matches; Sunderland have managed just one victory in the same run of desperate fixtures". So, it seems only when Phillips has a good run, Sunderland have a good run. Newcastle didn't have an appalling game, but it has to be said, their midfield let them down- they couldn't control the skill and quality of Julio Arca's mastery in this game. It is good to have him back to the left wing (he has been on the right wing recently). Full time and the Newcastle fans are thrilled. The Newcastle players are throwing their shirts at the fans. Newcastle finished the match the happier team- as Sunderland deserved victory. But Newcastle will be pleased that Sunderland didn't do the double over them. Michael Rutherford Extracted from the 'Mackem Memories' website (www.safc.f2s.com) Or CLICK HERE for further information on this match including player ratings and Man of the Match etc. |