Source: Northern_Echo
Wigan Athletic 1 Sunderland 1
ASAMOAH GYAN did not need too much persuading to sing in front of his new Sunderland team-mates in the hotel on the eve of his debut, nor did he need a second invitation to score his first Premier League goal.[LNB] And while he was satisfied his voice had made a favourable impression on Darren Bent and Co, his stunning opening goal for the Black Cats has offered a flavour of what could be to come from the man nicknamed BabyJet.[LNB] This might have been an outing at the DW Stadium that will be remembered for Lee Cattermole's second sending off of the season, as much as it will be noted as the occasion when the £13m record buy got off the mark.[LNB] But it is safe to assume the air of negativity, which would have hung around the club had tenman Sunderland not passionately claimed a point, has been significantly reduced, mainly through the ability of Gyan.[LNB] It was not so much that the 24-year-old stood out more than anyone else in the team. Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, defender Titus Bramble and the energetic Jordan Henderson played more pivotal roles.[LNB] But when Gyan was asked to do what he was bought to do, score goals, he obliged and in style.[LNB] Wigan, whose manager Roberto Martinez had brought on Charles N'Zogbia and Franco di Santo to form a four-man forward line eight minutes after half-time, were bombarding Sunderland with regular attacks in their search for the breakthrough.[LNB] But even though Cattermole's dismissal after just 22 minutes had tipped the balance of power in Wigan's favour, Sunderland found the net against the run of play.[LNB] Henderson, whose stock continues to rise by the match, was the orchestrator, while Gyan provided the magic, finishing touch.[LNB] On the touchline, near to the Sunderland technical area, Henderson went one way, then the other to leave Mohamed Diame grounded to his spot.[LNB] The England Under-21 midfielder then delivered in to the area, where Gyan coasted between two markers, leapt in the air and applied the sweetest of left foot volleys beyond goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi's left hand.[LNB] The Ghananian striker's dancing celebrations which became one of the lasting memories of this summer's World Cup were there for all to see, even if he found himself having to cut his routine short because of weary legs.[LNB] Physically I was down. I only trained twice in 15 days and it was very, very difficult for me, I was very tired, said Gyan, who is well known in his home country for singing with Ghana rap star Castro The Destroyer. But the goal restored my confidence and it helped me.[LNB] I did a couple of dances but I was really tired so I didn't want to continue. I didn't sing though. Not this time. I did sing for them before the match, Darren Bent asked me to.[LNB] It was a song by Buju Banton, a Jamaican reggae singer.[LNB] If you're a new player in the team you have to sing to everybody.[LNB] I was good.[LNB] Of course they thought I was good, they were happy with it. They've seen my musical videos so they know I can do it.[LNB] If his team-mates know he can sing, they are also now well aware of his ability to find the net when it matters.[LNB] Gyan might have struggled to impress outside the box on his first outing for the Black Cats, but the Black Stars' hero converted his side's only shot on target.[LNB] I'm someone who is unpredictable,[LNB] said Gyan. I can score at any time. This goal was very, very amazing. It was one of my best goals and it was for my new club. To get that in the English Premier League is amazing.[LNB] I thank God for that. I'm really happy. The fans are happy, my family's happy for me and the manager's happy too. My family only came over on Sunday, so I recorded the goal on the television on Saturday to show them. It was a great day for me and all of my family.[LNB] If that was how he felt after claiming a point on his debut, imagine how he might have felt had Sunderland held on in the final few minutes to their slender advantage.[LNB] In reality, though, the Sunderland players and the 4,500- strong travelling supporters should be grateful to have avoided defeat, having been left shorthanded from the moment Cattermole was dismissed.[LNB] Bruce must have feared the worst when his skipper, sent off in the first match of the season against Birmingham inside 43 minutes for two yellow cards, picked up the first of two cautions in the 18th minute.[LNB] It looked harsh, with Cattermole appearing to do little more than hold Diame's shoulder as they wrestled for the ball in the centre of the pitch.[LNB] A free-kick would have sufficed but referee Andre Marriner issued a card.[LNB] Then Marriner brought out the red, preceded by a second yellow, less than four minutes later when Cattermole dived in needlessly to trip Hugo Rodallega as the Colombian broke down the flank.[LNB] Neither could be described as dangerous or even dirty, but it was poor decision making on the Sunderland captain's part and from that moment on his team were up against it.[LNB] Bruce initially tried to play with two strikers, sacrificing Ahmed Elmohamady and introducing Cristian Riveros in to the middle, after Cattermole's departure.[LNB] But with Wigan finishing the half much stronger, Gyan was brought on at the restart and that sparked a further tactical change, with Sunderland playing the second half with the African as a lone striker.[LNB] And with Mignolet, who made a stunning save to his left to deny Rodallega shortly after the break, further highlighting that Craig Gordon will have some real competition for his shirt when he returns from injury, there was always a chance the visitors could break and find the breakthrough.[LNB] The Belgium keeper also denied striker Mauro Boselli and watched Rodallega miss the target, but on the whole Bramble and Anton Ferdinand marshalled a defensive unit that prevented Wigan from taking the lead.[LNB] So when Henderson's rightfooted centre was converted by Gyan with 25 minutes remaining, an unlikely away victory looked to be on the cards.[LNB] It was really, really difficult after having a man sent off in the first half. I think my goal was really nice, perfect, said Gyan. I really thank the manager because he had confidence in me.[LNB] Jordan did so well taking one man on and producing a perfect cross to create my goal.[LNB] I would like to congratulate all the players, though. They fought their hearts out and were prepared to die for the club.[LNB] The doggedness that Sunderland showed to keep Wigan out looked like it had been sufficient to ease the pain being felt by Cattermole labelled inconsolable[LNB] by his manager afterwards in the dressing room.[LNB] But then Wigan, more lively once Chelsea's loan man Di Franco was given the freedom of the DW Stadium pitch, finally found a way beyond Mignolet albeit fortuitously.[LNB] N'Zogbia's free-kick four minutes from time was cleared as far as Tom Cleverley. The Manchester United graduate struck towards goal, hit the head of Antolin Alcaraz and Mignolet's best efforts on the line were not enough.[LNB] A game that is more than likely going to be remembered by Sunderland fans for Cattermole's second red card in three outings was over, but that should not detract anything away from Gyan: The club's latest hero.[LNB] Match facts Goals:[LNB] 0-1: Gyan (65, met Henderson's perfect centre from the right with an outstanding left foot volley);[LNB] 1-1: Alcaraz (86, turned Cleverley's long range shot beyond Mignolet goalwards, even if he knew little about it)[LNB] Bookings: Thomas (11, foul);[LNB] Cattermole (18, foul);[LNB] Boyce (21, foul);[LNB] Gohouri (28, foul);[LNB] Welbeck (41, foul); Diame (90, foul)[LNB] Sending-off: Cattermole (22, second bookable offence)[LNB] Referee: Andre Marriner (Walsall) - too quick to award bookings but Bruce can't blame him for Cattermole's sending off this time. 5[LNB] Attendance: 15,844[LNB] Entertainment: ****[LNB] WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi 7; Boyce 6, Alcaraz 7, Gohouri 5, Figueroa 6; Thomas 5 (N'Zogbia 53, 5); Stam 6 (Di Santo 53, 7), Diame 6, McCarthy 6, RODALLEGA 7; Boselli 4 (Cleverley 75). Subs (not used): Kirkland (gk), Watson, S Caldwell, Gomez.[LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-5-1):[LNB] 8MIGNOLET: Showed a strong pair of hands throughout, keeping the majority of Wigan's crosses out of harm's way;[LNB] 6 Onuoha: Found the persistent probing from Rodallega down the left difficult, but kept on going[LNB] 8 Bramble: Once again the pick of the defenders, looking a bargain at £1m[LNB] 7 Ferdinand: Defensively sound, justifying his inclusion alongside Bramble[LNB] 6 Richardson: Kept plugging away and kept the majority of Wigan's attacks down his side at bay;[LNB] 5 Elmohamady: Not only did Cattermole cut short his own game, he also cut short the Egyptian's[LNB] 3 Cattermole: If the first booking was harsh, the second just moments later was just stupid[LNB] 6 Malbranque: Retained possession well when he had the chance[LNB] 8 Henderson: An exceptional delivery for Gyan's opener and his energy made up for Cattermole's absence[LNB] 5 Welbeck: Largely ineffective and was withdrawn at halftime having been booked;[LNB] 5 Bent: Largely anonymous, both as a lone striker and then when he was moved to the left flank[LNB] Subs:[LNB] Riveros (for Elmohamady 33): Worked hard but was brushed off the ball too cheaply. 5[LNB] Gyan (for Welbeck 46): If his goal is a sign of what £13m buys you, Sunderland have bought a gem. 7[LNB] Mensah (for Richardson 80)[LNB] (not used): Carson (gk), Bardsley, Zenden, Colback[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH[LNB] SIMON Mignolet his handling of crosses was exceptional and he was largely the reason why Sunderland were still in it when Gyan scored.[LNB]
