EPL recap : Sunderland vs Blackpool
It’s turning out to be a bad week for Steve Bruce. The enigmatic manager saw his side succumb to their second defeat in just as many days. Blackpool overcame the Black Cats 2-0, becoming the first team to walk away with all three points from the Stadium
of Light this season. The result sees Ian Holloway’s ambitious side move up to eighth place in the Barclays Premier League table. It’s a remarkable achievement for a team who were favourites to be relegated at the start of the campaign.
Sunderland have only themselves to blame. The Black Cats dominated the opening exchanges, creating chance after chance to strike at the Blackpool goal. However their star studded attack force was having a terrible day. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358 wasted two glorious opportunities,
aiming both his shots for the far post and missing the mark on both occasions. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jordan-c2929 Henderson’s effort in
the 40th minute was Sunderland’s first shot on target – a shot which was easily saved by the Blackpool keeper.
The Seasiders seemed stunned by Sunderland’s relentless attack; however, they clawed their way back into the contest just before the end of the first half. Ian Holloway’s side started to press forward in search of a goal. DJ Campbell got on the end of Matt
Phillips’ cross, but failed to direct his effort at the Sunderland goal. He got another chance after making space for himself outside the box; however, his shot went just wide.
The Black Cats piled on the pressure in the second half, but they still couldn’t find a way past the Blackpool keeper. Asamoah Gyan had an early chance but could only place his header wide. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-Welbeck-c10233 managed to get a shot on target; however his effort
was directed straight at Richard Kingson.
Despite Sunderland’s dominance, it was Blackpool who drew first blood. DJ Campbell finally found the net when he volleyed home from close range in the 52nd minute. The goal sparked Sunderland back to life. The Black Cats launched an all out attack
against the visitors with less than a third of the match remaining. Blackpool needed a combination of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Richard-Kingson-c31087 and the crossbar to hold on to their lead. The Blackpool keeper pulled off a string of spectacular saves to keep the Seasiders in front.
Sunderland’s day was summed up by Darrren Bent’s 86th minute free-kick. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 striker’s effort came back off the post, much to the annoyance of the crowd at the Stadium of Light. Just before the final whistle, DJ Campbell poured more
salt into their wound by getting his second goal of the night. The striker headed in from Matt Phillips’ inviting cross, putting the icing on the cake for Ian Holloway. Steve Bruce has some thinking to do as he prepares his side for a massive encounter against
Blackburn on New Year’s Day.
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