Source: Northern_Echo
Sunderland 0 Blackpool 2
Sunderland 0 Blackpool 2[LNB] THIS season, Sunderland have managed to frustrate the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City on Wearside, but it was Premier League newcomers Blackpool who condemned the Black Cats to their first home defeat since May.[LNB] It's been a case of home is where the heart is for Steve Bruce's side, who have turned the Stadium of Light into a fortress, but it was DJ Campbell's predatory brace that was enough to seal victory for the Tangerines, despite the hosts enjoying a wealth of chances in either half.[LNB] The home side had a total of 33 shots throughout the game, something which would usually equate to a win, but it was a frustrating afternoon for Bruce's men who in truth, just had one of those days.[LNB] Blackpool were expected to become the whipping boys of the Premier League but their no fear, attacking mentality has won them a lot of praise, and points, since they were promoted and they boast an away record that only Man City and Arsenal can better.[LNB] And with just one defeat in seven games and unbeaten in four, Ian Holloway's men came to the North-East full of confidence despite not having played a game since December 11.[LNB] The Black Cats wanted to put behind them the disappointing performance at Old Trafford of Boxing Day, and with a forward trio of Welbeck, Gyan and Bent reunited, the home side looked a threat right from the off.[LNB] Sunderland's first real attack came when Welbeck stole the ball from Neil Eardley on the right and broke forward, but his low shot whistled past the post.[LNB] Minutes later, Blackpool almost gifted the home side an opener when goalkeeper Richard Kingson received a back pass from Ian Evatt and his bad control saw the ball bobble towards goal but he recovered to clear the ball away a sign of things to come for the home side.[LNB] Again the Black Cats attacking trio combined and the home side came close to taking the lead in the 12th minute when Gyan headed the ball down to Bent, who played a one-two with Welbeck but his low shot went agonisingly wide.[LNB] The chances were coming thick and fast for the hosts when a ball over the top from Cattermole was taken down by Gyan. But Ghana international took it past keeper and found the angle too tight and shot into the side netting.[LNB] The visitors were creating their own chances though, first Luke Varney cut inside from left flank and struck a stinging shot, which was saved. Then they had the best chance to break the deadlock when Phillips burst down the right and played the ball across to Campbell but the striker's shot went wide.[LNB] Campbell then collected the ball midway in the Sunderland half and drove past two defenders into a perfect shooting position but his low shot again went wide.[LNB] Despite having seven goals to his name already this season, Bent has been struggling to find the net recently and was desperate to get his first goal in four games. But he was almost the creator of an opener when he broke down the right and pulled the ball back to Gyan but Kingson saved.[LNB] Blackpool hit back when Varney floated a cross to the back post where Phillips was waiting only to see his shot hit the side netting.[LNB] Then, it seemed the moment had finally come when good work from Welbeck saw Elmohamady steer a right wing cross into the box where Gyan was waiting. The Ghanaian looked odds on to score but his scuffed effort went just wide to the frustration of Bruce and the Sunderland crowd.[LNB] It was absolutely astonishing that the sides had gone in at half-time 0-0. Yet it seemed like it was only a matter of time that the deadlock would be broken.[LNB] Five minutes after the interval the deadlock was indeed broken, but not by the home side.[LNB] Campbell arrived in the box to head in from close range after Matt Phillips had flicked on a Neil Eardley cross and suddenly the Black Cats found themselves chasing the game.[LNB] Bruce's men immediately looked for a reply with Cattermole seeing his header from a Welbeck cross saved and Henderson drilling a low shot straight into Kingson's hands.[LNB] The goal had definitely knocked the stuffing out of the Black Cats though and with mistakes beginning to creep into their game.[LNB] The visitors went close to adding a second when Sylvestre swung in a cross from the right, but Craig Cathcart's back post header could only ruffle the side-netting.[LNB] Bruce introduced Keiran Richardson and Steed Malbranque to try and freshen things up and the Frenchman forced a great save from Kingson after the ball had fallen to him at the back post in the 72nd minute.[LNB] The keeper then made a brilliant stop to deny Bent from point blank range after a defensive mix up had gifted the forward the ball, the rebound then fell to Elmohamady but again his thunderous strike was blocked by the head of Evatt.[LNB] The Wearsider's best chance to draw level fell to Bent five minutes from time, when his curling 25-yard freekick rattled the cross bar and it seemed Holloway's orange army would hold on for yet another away win.[LNB] And in the 90th minute, Blackpool sealed the victory when Phillips skipped past Richardson and Ferdinand and found Campbell at the back post to tap in a second for the Seasiders.[LNB] Matchfacts Goals:[LNB] 0-1: (50, Campbell heads in after Eardley's cross was flicked on by Phillips)[LNB] 0-2: (90, Campbell finished from close range after good work from Phillips)[LNB] Bookings: Meyler (45, foul), Bramble (90, foul)[LNB] Referee: Andre Marriner (Birmingham) Quiet and let the game flow. Right to book both Sunderland players 7[LNB] Attendance: 42,892[LNB] Entertainment: [LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):[LNB] 6 Gordon: Couldn't have done anything about the two goals;[LNB] 5 Bardsley: Struggled to cope with Phillips down the right[LNB] 5 Ferdinand: Was skinned for the second goal[LNB] 5 Onuoha: Was having a good game until injury forced him off in the first half[LNB] 6 Elmohamady: Always looked a threat down the right and put in some great crosses[LNB] 6 Cattermole: Found it hard against Vaughan and Sylvestre[LNB] 6 Meyler: Battled but gave the ball away a lot[LNB] 7 Henderson: Created several chances and could have scored himself[LNB] 8 WELBECK: Sunderland's best player again but unlucky not to find the net;[LNB] 7 Bent: Came closest for the home side but his spell without a goal continues[LNB] 7 Gyan: Lively game but again missed several chances.[LNB] Subs:[LNB] Bramble (for Onuoha 32): Steady return for the defender 6[LNB] Richardson (for Meyler 58): Struggled to get into the game 5[LNB] Malbranque (for Gyan 67): Had chances but no luck 5[LNB] (not used): Mignolet (gk), Angeleri, Riveros, Zenden[LNB] BLACKPOOL (4-4-2):[LNB] Kingson 8; Crainey 8, Evatt 8, Eardley 8, Cathcart 8, Vaughan 8, Taylor- Fletcher 8 (Carney 81) , Varney 7, Sylvestre 8 (Edwards 81), Campbell 9, Grandin 5 (PHILLIPS 20, 9).[LNB] Subs (not used): Halstead, Ormerod, Baptiste[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] MATT PHILLIPS Replaced Grandin early on and caused Sunderland major problems with his pace, having a hand in both goals.[LNB]
