Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland's Craig Gordon says he made an even better save for Hearts
[LNB]Modesty prevents Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon from getting carried away with THAT save against Bolton at the Stadium of Light.[LNB]'I don't know if that is the best I have made,' said the softly-spoken Sunderland and Scotland No 1. [LNB]'I made one for Hearts against Motherwell which I am proud of.' [LNB] Craig's cracker: Gordon somehow manages to push Zat Knight's effort over[LNB]And then he gave a little smile. 'But it's definitely in my top five.'[LNB]Seven Bolton players in the area for Matthew Taylor's corner werealready celebrating an equaliser when defender Zat Knight shotgoalwards from close range but they had their hands on their headswhen Gordon reacted quickly to turn the ball over the bar.[LNB]Among them was captain Kevin Davies, who said: 'It was an amazing save. [LNB]'I really thought it was in. I don't know how he managed to get his hand to it and push the ball over.'[LNB]Its brilliance, and the decisive and emphatic flick of the wristwhich thrust the ball over the bar from an impossible angle, inevitablyevoked memories of Jim Montgomery's breathtaking stop from PeterLorimer which helped Sunderland win the 1973 FA Cup. [LNB]As it just happens to be the club's last trophy win and arguablythe greatest incident in their history, Gordon has seen the savehundreds of times. [LNB] Monty's magic: Montgomery's super stop to deny Peter Lorimer[LNB]He was told about it the day Roy Keane paid Hearts a British record £9million for a keeper three years ago.[LNB]But Gordon, whose save allowed Sunderland to go on and record a 1-0win and move to sixth in the Barclays Premier League, conceded: 'Youcan't compare this one with Jimmy's. [LNB]'His won an FA Cup final for Sunderland and will never be forgotten, Mine just helped us on the way to three points.[LNB]Enlarge 'It is a very famous save which is in this club's folklore. Being agoalkeeper here you can't get away from that brilliant moment. I havewatched it back on video many times, it is a moment to aspire to.[LNB]'I was just trying to get back across from the corner and it was a good head back at the far post. [LNB]'I stuck my left hand out and I was a little behind it and was just trying to cover as much of the goal as possible. [LNB]'It was an instinctive thing to do. Luckily I got enough on it and sent it away over the bar.'[LNB]Sunderland fans have warmed slowly to Gordon, who was treated to aheart-warming standing ovation by the supporters behind his goal onSaturday. [LNB]There have been plenty of obstacles for Gordon in getting hisSunderland career up and running: there was the fee, being Scottish, achallenging first season and various injuries. [LNB]'He suffered a broken wrist a year ago but returned three monthslater in the form of his life, only to break it again in the summer.[LNB]The Scot said: 'It was disappointing to have the second break in myarm but I was confident that I had come back from it before and coulddo so again. I had to stay positive.[LNB]'Simon Mignolet was in the team and is a top-class keeper who will play for many years in this league. [LNB]'I was not too disappointed he was playing well because it gave me an extra few weeks to get fit. [LNB] [LNB]'I was able to come back slowly and get back in good shape. If youstand still here younger players will come in and take your place. Ineed to keep playing as well as I can.'[LNB]There is a steely determination about 28-year-old Gordon which has impressed Steve Bruce from the day he took over as manager. [LNB]In Saturday's match programme the Edinburgh-born stopper announcedhis career ambition is to be Scotland's most capped player. With 39, heis 63 behind Kenny Dalglish but do not bet against it.[LNB]Bruce said: 'Craig Gordon is my No 1. It was very difficult to leaveSimon out because he did nothing wrong but he's only a young lad andhis chance will come, but Craig is my No 1 goalkeeper.[LNB]'He's not your typical goalie, he's not a typical madman. He's notvociferous, he's calm and quiet and goes about it in a different wayfrom most goalkeepers.[LNB]'He's one of those who just keeps himself to himself, a very quiet individual off the pitch, but he trains and works hard. [LNB]'The longer you come to work with him the more you realise what he's capable of in terms of making saves.'[LNB]Danny Welbeck's fourth goal on his loan from Manchester United secured the win and preserved Sunderland's unbeaten home record.[LNB] It also took them level on 27 points with fifth-placed Tottenham, backing up recent talk of Europe. [LNB]Bruce said: 'I know what it's like up here so I have to try to keepa tin lid on it but that is the aim for everybody and it would befantastic if we got there. [LNB]'But I'm wary of even mentioning it.'[LNB]Welbeck will have to miss Sunderland's next game against United atOld Trafford on Boxing Day, along with captain Lee Cattermole whopicked up his seventh booking of the season but escaped a third red fora late challenge on Johan Elamander. [LNB][LNB] Forgotten man Anton Ferdinand delighted to be back in the fold at Sunderland Sunderland 1 Bolton 0: Welbeck will be missed, says Sunderland boss BruceCoyle sees red with Bruce after saying Cattermole should have been sent offSUNDERLAND FC
