Sunderland 2 - 0 Birmingham City

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Tuesday Jan 29 2008 08:00

New boy Rade Prica enjoyed the sweet taste of success on his Sunderland debut as he helped lift Roy Keane's men out of the Premier League drop zone.

The Sweden international, who cost £2million from Danish side Aalborg, came off the bench to grab the home side's second goal of the night.

It was a dream start for Prica as the hosts ran out 2-0 winners against relegation rivals Birmingham City at the Stadium of Light.Daryl Murphy got the Wearsiders off to a great start when he caught City napping and reacted quickest to fire the Black Cats in front on 15 minutes.

A long free-kick from just inside the Birmingham half was hoisted forward by former Manchester United man Phil Bardsley, also making his Sunderland debut.Kenwyne Jones got up to head the ball on and with the visitors defence rooted to the spot Murphy netted with a powerful close-range effort.

In truth it was no more than the home side deserved as they took the game to the Blues from the off.

Both teams looked to attack when possible but despite the play being fairly open out and out chances in front of goal were limited.

Jones and Murphy both went close for the hosts without really troubling goalkeeper Maik Taylor, while Blues striker Cameron Jerome should have caused problems for Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon.

With the half drawing to a close, City hit Sunderland on the break and Jerome bore down on goal with number of home defenders in close pursuit.

However, the one-time Sunderland target found £9million man Gordon more than a match for his effort, the former Hearts player parrying his shot out for a corner.

The Blues started the brighter after the break, Olivier Kapo firing narrowly wide from 20 yards out on 47 minutes.

The Black Cats came back into the game after that scare, but the defence was wide open again on 64 minutes when Jerome almost pulled a goal back.

Hesitation in the Sunderland defence saw Nyron Nosworthy sell Gordon short with a header. Jerome tried to reach the ball, but Gordon bravely punched clear and instead the former Cardiff City forward made contact with the keeper, conceding a free-kick in the process.

Four minutes later Prica got his Sunderland career off to a flying start. Liam MIller lofted the ball towards the 18-yard box and Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell stooped to head back to Taylor.

Unfortunately for the Blues the header fell short and Prica nipped in to put the ball past Taylor and into the net.

The Swede could have made it a double delight eight minutes later when a ball over the top dropped invitingly in the six-yard box.

The forward fell as he tried to connect, but still managed to swing out a leg while on the floor and knock the ball home. Sadly for the frontman the ball had hit his arm as he dropped to the ground and referee Mark Halsey blew for handball.

The debutant went close again in the dying minutes, cutting in behind the City defence to head for goal. However Taylor made a good save to deny him further glory.

Sunderland finished with a flourish without adding to their two-goal tally, but that won't worry them too much now that they have moved out of the relegation zone.

Live Commentary

93
It's all over now and it's a deserved win for Roy Keane's men, who record their sixth home win of the season.

92
In truth, Birmingham have only troubled Gordan on one occasion and although they have some talented players they need to create more in the final third if they are to stay up this season.

90
Three minutes of stoppage time are announced.

90
Sunderland all set to climb out of the bottom three then, with Birmingham set to make it six games without a win.

88
Sunderland are finishing strongly with Birmingham all but beaten, O'Donovan heads just wide from a Whitehead cross.

87
New signing Prica has only been on the field for 45 minutes, but he could have had a hat trick easily!

86
The resulting free kick is whipped into the back post where Prica is waiting unmarked, but his diving header is stopped well by Taylor.

85
Ridgewell is booked as Sunderland come forward, that's the former Villa man's 9th booking of the season.

85
The lively substitute Zarate works well with Kapo on the left hand side, before Muamba overhits his pass, not for the first time in this game.

82
Fantastic run from Zarate on the right hand side before his chipped cross is dealt with well by former Manchester United trainee Phil Bardsley.

82
Into the last ten minutes now, the crowd are quiet in waiting for three points to be confirmed.

79
If Birmingham do find two goals from somewhere, it would be somewhat suprising - they have been far from threatening going forward tonight.

76
Prica may have been unlucky there, although he should have scored with his head from the cross anyway.

75
Prica is denied his second goal after the game despite finding the back of the net from an O'Donovan cross, he handled the ball according to the referee.

74
The resulting free kick is wasted by Jones, as his powerful shot is charged down and cleared by the wall.

73
Schmitz is booked after a reckless challenge, he was lucky it was only yellow there. The fact he wasn't the last man has saved him.

72
A James McFadden corner is headed away well by Sunderland, but Birmingham are going for it now. They know it's now or never.

71
Birmingham need to score soon if they are to get back into this game, get a goal now and this game is far from over.

70
Sunderland are certainly not sitting back, Prica runs through on goal before being flagged for offside - he has looked lively since coming on though.

69
It's been two defensive errors that have cost Birmingham today, but credit to Sunderland for being clinical in their finishing.

69
Substitute Zarate is booked after fouling Whitehead.

67
Prica is booked for celebrating too closely to the Sunderland fans.

67
It's a double change for the visitors with Forssell replacing Larsson.

67
Birmingham's response to going 2-0 down is to introduce Mauro Matias Zarate to replace Jerome.

65
It's now 2-0 Sunderland, with Prica scoring on his debut after lifting the ball over Taylor following a poor header from Ridgewell.

64
A risky header from Nosworthy back to his keeper is almost intercepted by Jerome, but brave goalkeeping from Gordan means the danger is cleared, even if he took a wack in the face at the same time.

63
Instead it is Sunderland who make their second change, Roy O'Donovan replaces the hard working Stokes.

62
Half an hour to go in this game now, McLeish will surely be looking to make an attacking substitution soon, with Mikael Forssell and Garry O'Connor the most obvious choices.

60
Very windy conditions now at the Stadium of Light, with a drop kick from Sunderland keeper Gordan barely making the half way line.

59
Birmingham will take positives from the fact that they have won eight points from losing positions this season, you get the feeling they will be happy to make that nine tonight.

57
Stephen Kelly tackles Murphy well to prevent a cross into the box, but concedes a corner which is cleared by Kapo. Keane's men are yet to get started this half.

56
After a bright start to the half from Birmingham, the game has become rather scrappy with neither side creating much going forward.

54
Sunderland's first attack of the half is a free kick from the right hand side which is wasted by Murphy who can only find the hands of Taylor in the Birmingham goal.

53
Depending on other results, Sunderland could rise as high as 13th after tonight's game if they can hold onto this lead.

50
Great start from the away side in this second half, they have looked more lively than the entire first half. A Larsson corner is punched away by Gordon, but it's good pressure from the Blues.

48
Unless they can equalise, Birmingham are heading for their 14th league defeat this season, only Derby have lost more.

46
Great chance early on for Birmingham to equalise, McFadden finds Kapo who sees his left foot strike shave the post - good effort.

46
Dwight Yorke has a calf strain, so has been replaced by new signing Rade Prica.

45
The second half is underway, can Birmingham get back into it or will Sunderland hold onto their lead?

45
Last action of the half sees Jones strike over the bar from just outside the area, it's half time with Sunderland in front.

45
Jones uses his pace to win the ball before Whitehead's cross fails to find a team mate, great burst of pace from the striker there.

45
Three minutes remain in the first half.

44
Another corner for Birmingham as they finish the half with a bit more promise, but Larsson's corner is cleared away.

43
Birmingham will be happy to get to half time now, McLeish wil have some harsh words for his team who know they have to do more to get something from this game.

42
Confusion in the Sunderland defence as Yorke and Dean Whitehead go up for the same ball and clash heads, with Whitehead coming off the worse of the two.

41
The resulting corner is headed over the bar from Queudrue, but it's a couple of promising moments for the visitors after they have their first shot on target.

39
Cameron Jermome beats the offside trap after being played through by Muamba, but his weak shot is saved comfortably by Gordan even though he conceded a corner.

37
Schmitz misses a header, which sets Jones clear on goal but Taylor does well to usher the ball out for a goal kick. Schmitz should be thankful to his goalkeeper after that.

36
A chance for Birmingham to get back on level terms is wasted after McFadden fouls Craig Gordon from a corner to prevent any attempt at goal.

35
There hasn't been anything in the final third from the visitors and new signing McFadden seems to be getting frustrated at the lack of service.

33
Free kick for Sunderland from a dangerous position on the right hand side is whipped in by Stokes who finds the head of Murphy before Taylor saves well.

31
The home side are still pushing for the second goal, a corner from Stokes is easily collected by Taylor though as the move breaks down.

30
Alex McLeish will be concerned at his sides lack of creativity as we approach the 30 minute mark, he will have to consider changing things at the break if it stays like this.

28
Anthony Stokes does well on the right hand side to produce a menacing cross into the box which just avades Jones, great work from the former Arsenal winger.

27
Birmingham have shown very little going forward so far, Sunderland look more likely to double their lead.

24
Jones has certainly shown signs of what he can do tonight and Ridgewell and Rafael Schmitz have their work cut out to keep him at bay.

23
Magnificent work from Jones on the right hand side as he twists pass three Birmingham players before his cross is crucialy cut out by Queudrue.

22
Sunderland will be happy they have taken the lead, they haven't lost this season after scoring the opening goal of the game.

20
Long throw from Queudrue falls nicely to Olivier Kapo who strikes the ball well, but only as far as Nyron Nosworthy who blocks the shot.

19
With the crowd behind their team, it's easy to see why Roy Keane's men have picked up five wins at home, it's a very difficult place to come.

18
Birmingham are having to chase the game now, they were happy sitting back before the goal but will have to take some more risks now if they are to get back into the game.

16
The Birmingham defence should have dealt with that better, the lack of a decision from Maik Taylor contributed to the goal.

14
Sunderland take the lead through Daryl Murphy after a flick on from Jones.

13
McFadden flicks the ball on well for Muamba, but the midfielder wastes a great chance to break as he runs into a defender and loses the ball. Sloppy play.

12
First corner of the game is taken by Sebastian Larsson for Birmingham, but Sunderland clear the danger well as we await the first attempt on goal.

11
Dwight Yorke loses the ball in the middle of the park to Fabrice Muamba, before fouling McFadden in frustration, free kick to the away side.

10
Don't be suprised if Birmingham concede tonight, they have only prevented Middlesbrough from scoring in their last 16 league outings.

8
Nice passing football from Birmigham down the left hand side results in a throw to Sunderland, but it's good possession football from Birmingham.

5
Sunderland have as collected as many points at home as Liverpool this season with their total of 18, can they make it 21 tonight?

4
It's end to end in these opening moments, both sides are here for the win and it has all the makings of a great game.

3
Kenwyne Jones gets the better of Franck Queudrue down the right hand side, but his cross into the box is cleared well by Liam Ridgewell.

2
James McFadden makes his debut for Birmingham tonight following his move from Everton.

1
Birmingham have a fantastioc record against Sunderland in the Premier League, of the five meetings between the sides they have only failed to win once - a 2-2 draw earlier this season.

0
Underway at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland looking for their sixth home win of the season against a Birmingham side who are five games without a win.

Statistics

Sunderland

Shots on target	6
Shots off target	3
Shots off bar/post	0
Fouls	9
Offsides	1
Corners	4

Birmingham City

Shots on target	2
Shots off target	3
Shots off bar/post	0
Fouls	18
Offsides	0
Corners	8

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