Finally Asamoah Gyan has signed for Sunderland. Gyan has signed for a fee in excess of £13 million and in doing so has become our 2nd record breaking signing within 12 months after Bent was acquired last season for £10 million (plus add ons).

Gyan has signed a four year contract and joins fellow Ghanaian John Mensah at the Stadium of Light. Gyan’s record for Ghana is very good as he’s scored 22 times in 44 appearances for the Black Stars. Lets hope he can produce that goal to game ratio for the mighty Black Cats and become a fan favourite in no time.

Gyan is expected to make his debut against Wigan after the international break and SunderlandFootball will be there to support him, you never know we might even have a chant for him by then so watch this space.

Who would have thought it? After dropping two points at home to Birmingham and gifting West Bromich Albion a win at the Hawthorns I think even the most optimistic of Sunderland fans would not have bet on us beating Manchester City yesterday.

There’s no doubt that Man City had the better of the first half but they managed to spurn the few good chances they had. Most notably was the embarrassing miss from Carlos Tevez. Man City hit Sunderland on the break, as Yaya Toure decended on the Sunderland goal with three on one City looked a certainty to score only for Tevez to receive an intelligent pass from Toure and sky the ball straight over the bar. It was an open goal and really looked harder to miss but luck was obviously on Sunderland’s side.

In the second half Sunderland looked a different team. They battled for every ball, passed well and attacked with intent. However for all of Sunderland’s play it was Manchester City who again had the better of the chances. Adebayor’s clever flick from a Manchester City corner was superbly saved by Sunderland’s new keeper Simon Mignolet.

The fans were tremendous yet again, really getting behind the side and making it even more difficult for the Man City players to get a foothold on the game. In comparison the Manchester City fans were rather subdued with a small and rather out-dated array of chants to offer.

As time ran out, it was Sunderland who were firmly on top and continued to attack the flanks with pace. Ahmed “Elmo” Mohamady had the beating of Gareth Barry who was operating on the left hand side. As the clock ticked on and we entered injury time, Elmo got hold of the ball, flicked it past Barry (yet again…he really made him look average) causing him to slip over and crossed the ball in for Darren Bent who was clumsily grappled to the floor in the penalty area by Micah Richards. A penalty was the only outcome. At the time I couldn’t believe it, we had managed to keep ourselves in the game and were rewarded at the very death. It was quite an emotional moment as Darren Bent stepped up and smashed the ball underneath Hart, effectively marking an end to the game and winning all three points for Sunderland.

1-0 the Full-Time score.

I thought the players were great, Cattermole was back to the Cattermole of old, covering ground, constantly harrassing the City players and constantly regaining possession. Richardson was very good and is beginning to look like the left-back we all want him to be. I thought the stand out performance come from Titus Bramble who was dominant at the back and didn’t really put a food wrong all game.

Next up, a tough tie away to Wigan.

First away game of the season is always a good reason to get the juices flowing. When we say juices we do of course mean those of the amber nectar variety. The journey began at around 9am with three or four hours of drinking and driving ahead of us. I presume it wise to point out that those drinking were not driving.

Landing at destination West Bromwich at approximately 1330 hour we made the ten minute stroll to the Hawthorns and then enjoyed a first (of many) over priced, poor quality lager! There was a feeling of optimism in the air as the sell out away following (who were in fine voice) began filtering into the ground.

Soon the concourse was awash with the usual Sunderland and anti that lot up the road ditty’s, before a huge rendition of a new song for our latest Paraguayan went up. The chant has a real South American feel to it and is obviously keen to point out the wonders of magical exactness. (woooah-woooooah-wooooooooh)

As kick off approached it was time to take to the stands. It was refreshing to see that the vast majority of our followers possessed the ability to remain on their feet whilst watching a football match. I think it is no coincidence that a crowd who by and large stood throughout produced an atmosphere we were once accustomed to (it was loud and it was constant).

The first 45 sailed by without much incident, although the home side managed to miss a decent chance in front of goal. The debutant somehow pushing a ball well wide of Mignolets right hand post when well placed. Despite the lack of entertainment on the grass the away section was bursting with colour and passion, as the home fans (sat in silence) were privy to an array of chants from the ever growing Sunderland song book. Riveros’, Da-Silva’s and Frazier Campbell songs seemed to be on a loop at times and the ground was rocking to the sound of Gary Rowell’s anthem.

Half time was spent queuing for more essential fuel and singing. It is away crowds like the one at West Brom which makes following Sunderland worthwhile. Let’s face it, it certainly isn’t about results. Henderson’s banana splits tune was given its first airing (that I know of anyway) and is likely to be a terrace favourite. (who wouldn’t want to proudly declare a player of theirs to be just like them and hates the mags!?).

The second 45 was a little better in terms of goal mouth action for the away side. Bent headed a half chance wide, Bent failed to get a solid touch on a Campbell through ball which would have seen him in on goal and Onouha directed a tame header straight at the home keeper. Richardson also had a snap shot which was tipped away (apparently) for a corner.

The winning goal for the home side came with less than 9 remaining. We had been warned first half and we weren’t about to be let off for a second time. Da-Silva and Bramble left enough space for a bus to pass through (this time it wasn’t a bus, it was a slide rule pass from Morrison) to allow the new un to poke home on debut. In all honesty it wouldn’t be Sunderland if a lad on debut didn’t score! There was still enough time for Hunt to almost break the bar from distance before the referee brought things to a close.

1 from 6 but still, we have two home games in a week to look forward to. A cup tie against Colchester and a Sunday afternoon stroll against City.

Highlight: Sunderland’s travelling band
Lowlight: Our lack of ideas in the final third