Source: Northern_Echo
Bent strike moves Cats to within point of top four
Sunderland 1 Arsenal 0[LNB] JUST like it did when Liverpool arrived on Wearside, a Darren Bent goal proved the difference when Arsenal appeared at the Stadium of Light.[LNB] This time, though, there was not a single beach ball in sight, as Bent put last week's England frustration behind him by powering Sunderland to within a point of the top four.[LNB] But this time around, unlike when Liverpool were defeated in mid-October, Sunderland's victory was made all the more impressive by the Gunners' recent form.[LNB] Arsenal had managed to score in every Premier League fixture this season but, even if they were without the injured Robin van Persie, they rarely looked like finding a way past Marton Fulop.[LNB] There were nervous moments after Sunderland had taken the lead in the 71st minute, but in the end Bent's ninth goal since his £10.5m move from Tottenham sufficed.[LNB] Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, had witnessed his players waste a few decent opportunities, but Bent made up for them when there was little time for Arsenal to pull level.[LNB] The England man's winner arrived with a touch of fortune. He glanced a header from Andy Reid's corner that bounced off Fraizer Campbell, which fell nicely for Bent to slide in and power high into Manuel Almunia's net.[LNB] Arsenal substitute Andrey Arshavin found the side netting late on after meeting Alex Song's delivery, but Arsene Wenger cut a frustrated figure as Chelsea moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.[LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-4-1-1): Fulop; Bardsley, Mensah (Ferdinand 82), Da Silva, McCartney; Malbranque (Campbell 66), Henderson, Cana, Reid (Zenden 78); Richardson, Bent. Subs: Carson, Healy, Murphy, Nosworthy.[LNB] ARSENAL (4-3-2-1): Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Traore; Ramsey (Arshavin 5), Song, Fabregas; Rosicky (Walcott 72), Nasri; Eduardo (Vela 72). Subs: Walcott, Denilson, Silvestre, Mannone, Eboue.[LNB]
