Man Utd 2-2 Sunderland

What a game! The lads were fantastic, it’s a shame we couldn’t hold on in the dying minutes and take all three points but if we’re honest I’m sure we’d have accepted a draw before the game.

Our overall passing play and constant threat going forward was great to see. I don’t think i’ve ever seen a Sunderland side look so dangerous from the counter-attack. Malbranque and Reid were quick to support the front two in Bent and Jones, whilst Cana and Cattermole constantly harrassed the United midfield, forcing them to make countless errors and forming the basis for many of our impressive build up plays going forward.

Reid and Malbranque looked light on their feet, controlling the ball with ease, moving away from the Man United players as if they weren’t there and breaking with pace. Cattermole was niggling away in midfield, winning the ball back and playing crisp, simple passes, making sure he found a Sunderland man at each time of asking.

It really was a joy to watch.

Bent and Jones looked hungry and every time we went forward I felt we were going to create something. After Bent scored, we kept our foot on the pedal, our game plan remained the same and it was obvious that Man Utd although desperately wanting to push more men forward were fearful of leaving their defenders exposed at the back.

When Berbatov equalised after half time. I think the thought in most Sunderland fans minds were “Here we go…”. However, the lads continued to play football like it should be played, they didn’t let the pressure get to them and battled on to get a deserved second. And what a goal it was! Swift one-twos from Reid, a 5 pass interplay, the last; a deft chip to Jones who rose above Foster to head the ball into the back of the net. At this stage, I could only see one team winning. We looked class!

We could very nearly have made it three if not for a brilliantly timed challenge from Carrack, nipping in at the last moment in front of Jones and pushing the ball wide of the goal. Henderson had done tremendously well to get the ball into the box, skinning Evra on the left, getting back on his feet despite being brought to the ground (from a poor Johnny Evans challenge) and calmly playing in Malbranque who hit a sublime pass to Jones.

The next talking point was the Richardson sending off. By this time Man Utd were pushing men forward in search for their equaliser. Richardson after giving away a silly free-kick decided to kick the ball away. I don’t know what he was thinking…in fact, he probably wasn’t but we were at a major disadvantage when he was shown the red card (I do however feel his first booking was very harsh, if Scholes had not been booked before him there is no doubt he wouldn’t have been shown a yellow).

Going into injury time it was ‘backs to the wall’ stuff, clearing anything and everything…and praying we could hang on for all three points. In typical Man Utd fashion, they battled to the end and Evra eventually equalised through a deflected goal (deja vu?) after they piled on the pressure in the closing stages.

So it ended 2-2. We looked great, we competed at Old Trafford and looked like we deserved to be there. It was a great game for the neutral and yet again we put on an entertaining show to be proud of.

Haway the lads…roll on Liverpool!

Darren Bent will surely be given an England call-up.