Rapport från Dave, vår man på plats
Det var ett tag sedan vår man på plats rapporterade, men nu är han tillbaka.
Aye up duck,
Yet another sending off. That’s 4 in the last 7 league games. Its tough enough as it is without continually shooting ourselves in the foot. The most annoying thing is that at least 3 of them have been totally unnecessary. (Fullers, Delaps & now Etheringtons)
This fixture proved to be rather expensive for Stoke. Etherington is now suspended along with Delap and Fuller has potentially picked up a season ending injury. Aswell as Fuller the loss of Etherington is going to be a big one as he was starting to show signs of what a good player he is. He will now miss the vital home fixtures versus Portsmouth & Bolton. They are the games when we need ALL our best players.
Stoke gave a starting debut to Kelly who replaced Pugh at left back. Cresswell replaced the suspended Delap. Diao returned in place of Amdy Faye who along with Griffin was nowhere to be seen. Camara was on the bench.
Again Stoke got nothing from an away fixture but things could have been so different had Etherington not lost his head....Before that incident Stoke were well on course to get at least a point (maybe 3). The sending off turned the game and gave Sunderland the upper hand.
On this occasion, the 10 men couldn't repeat last weeks tremendous effort and they failed to get anything out of the game.
Stoke, who were attacking towards the Stoke fans in the first half, started brightly and an early bicycle kick from Cresswell went inches wide.
Kelly was looking uncomfortable at left back but this was to change when Wilko had to go off with an early foot injury. Pugh came on to left back and Kelly switched over to his more accustomed right back position. Shawcross soon followed Wilko into the dressing room with a back injury and Sonko came on.
Stoke then had the misfortune to have to use their 3rd and final substitute on the half hour when Fuller dislocated his shoulder after landing heavily when fairly challenged. Camara replaced him.
Stoke were lucky when Pugh appeared to handle on the line to deny Sunderland a clear goal. If Styles had spotted it a penalty and sending off would of been the outcome. The half time score of 0-0 was just about right.
In the second half Stoke had dealt with an early spell of pressure and were on the attack themselves when Styles blew for an off the ball incident. To the dismay of all Stoke supporters he sent off Etherington. Television pictures show that he kicked out at Collins who was impeding his run to join the attack.
Ironically, he actually gave the free kick to Stoke for the original foul by Collins and from it Whelan put the ball into the area for Ab Faye to flick on. The ball fell to Camara who was 4 yards out. He shot but hit the bar. He really should of scored. No doubt. That was about it for Stoke as an attacking force and it was a case of hanging on for a point.
Sunderland went close with a couple of angled shots before Jones rose above Ab faye to head home after 78 minutes at the near post. Sorenson probably could of done better.
Sunderlands scored a second with the last kick of the game.
KEEP THE FAITH
..........Dave
