Source: Northern_Echo
Black Cats win thriller
Darren Bent netted the fastest Premier League goal of the season in a rip-roaring incident packed contest, which saw the striker score a brace against his former club and also miss two penalties, while Anton Ferdinand had what looked like a perfectly good goal chalked off.[LNB] Sunderland's Fraizer Campbell's strike at Bolton and a Jermaine Defoe goal against Manchester United have both been timed at 41 seconds. But Bent beat that record by seven seconds when he put past Heurelho Gomez after only 34 seconds, for his 21 goal of the season.[LNB] Bent added his second from the penalty spot, his 22nd Premier League striker, before substitute Peter Crouch reduced the deficit. But Bolo Zenden ensured the three points remained on Wearside when he netted a spectacular volley late in the second half.[LNB] Manager Steve Bruce made two changes from last week's disappointing defeat at Liverpool . Skipper Loric Cana and defender David Bardsley were left out in favour of David Meyler and Paulo Da Silva. Cana's name was on the teamsheet distributed in the press room but it was scratched in favour of Michael Liddle. Rumours began circulating immediately that the Albania international had spat is dummy out and stormed off but he was later seen in the players lounge.[LNB] The match exploded almost immediately, and the hosts were 1-0 up when Bent stooped to net from close range after Gomez had blocked Campbell's initial header from Kieran Richardson's corner. And while the former Tottenham forward celebrated in front of the visitors' supporters, Sunderland fans gave England boss Fabio Capello a World Cup reminder when they erupted into a chorus of are you watching Fabio.[LNB] It got even better for the Black Cats after 27 minutes. Kyle Walker handled Steed Malbranque's shot and Bent put the hosts 2-0 up when despatched the penalty with conviction, to the right of Gomez.[LNB] It maybe made amends for the one he missed at White Hart Lane earlier this season. But in a remarkable first half the Black Cats were awarded yet another penalty five minutes before the break. This time Bent's spot kick was saved. The industrious Campbell was brought down by Luka Modric's trailing leg five minutes before half time. This time Bent chose to go for the opposite corner and it was well read by the Spurs goalkeeper. The Brazilian goalkeeper also prevented Malbranque increasing the lead a minute before the break.[LNB] The hosts were clearly on top in the first half and the visitors' best response came when David Bently headed tamely at Craig Gordon from Gareth Bale's cross from the left after 25 minutes. Roman Pavlychenko went close seven minutes before the break, shooting over from the edge of the box, before a fine block by Gordon a minute later prevented Eidur Gudjohnsen pulling one back for the visitors.[LNB] Tottenham took the initiative after the restart and substitute Jermaine Defoe should have pulled a goal back four minutes in but Gordon saved. The Scot then came to Sunderland's rescue a minute later flicking over Gareth Bale's thundering header.[LNB] Defoe went even closer in the 55th minute, just missing the former Hearts' shotstopper's post by a whisker when racing onto Pavlyuchenko's flick on, while Modric shot weakly at Gordon soon after.[LNB] Just as Spurs looked to be edging their way back into the Sunderland got another penalty. But again, Gomes brilliantly saved, pushing Bent's strike on to the post after Wilson Palacios fouled David Meyler on the hour.[LNB] More drama and controversy followed four minutes later when referee Lee Mason disallowed what looked like a perfectly good goal by Anton Ferdinand. The match official deemed Campbell impeded Gomez in the build up.[LNB] Spurs got a lifeline when substitute Peter Crouch pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when he, literally, climbed on Michael Turner to head home. How the referee allowed it to stand only he knows.[LNB] Sunderland should have ensured there was no late nerves when substitute Kenwyne Jones completely miss kicked a golden chance when Campbell set him up in front of an open goal with only ten minutes to go. Bolo Zenden then wasted the second chance when he found a Spurs defender on the line.[LNB] But Zenden redeemed himself five minutes from time when he struck an outstanding volley at the back post when he got on the end of Henderson's deep cross to guarantee a home win for Bruce's side.[LNB]
