Source: Northern_Echo
Wolves get teeth into Black Cats
A LATE strike by substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake brought an abrupt end to Sunderland's four match unbeaten run after a hard-fought contest at Molineux.[LNB] [LNB] Wolves enjoyed the better of the Premier League clash in the first half and, after some intense pressure, deservedly took the lead through skipper Kevin Foley five minutes after the break.[LNB] The Black Cats hit back through Darren Bent in the 67th minute and took the lead when Danny Welbeck pounced with only 14 minutes remaining. But Stephen Hunt equalised with ten minutes left before Ebanks-Blake netted the winner with two minutes of the clash left to send the visitors back to the North-East empty handed and the home team's fans away in raptures.[LNB] The victory was the hosts' first win since October, 14 games ago, and on the overall balance of play it was just about deserved.[LNB] Steve Bruce's side spent the majority of the first half defending, although he will probably feel his side did well enough to weather the storm and deserved to take something from the game against Mick McCarthy's side.[LNB] John Mensah was the only change from the Wearsiders' 2-2 draw with Everton at the Stadium of Light last Monday. The World Cup defender replaced the injured Michael Turner.[LNB] But despite the opening exchanges going the way of the hosts, it was the visitors who conjured the first effort in the eight minute when Henderson threaded a ball through to Bent, only to see his chance trickle towards Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Two minutes later Bolo Zenden wriggled free in the box only to see his effort scuff past the post.[LNB] At the other end Mensah then earned his coin turning over Stephen Ward's dangerous cross in the 15th minute. Bruce's side were then fortunate not to go behind moments later when Kevin Doyle peeled off his marker and blasted over from ten yards.[LNB] The Black Cats continued to ride their luck when defender Richard Stearman turned in George Elokobi's shot from close range in the 22nd minute. But to be fair the referee's assistant got it right despite the home supporters singing you're worse than the Scottish (referees).[LNB] But on the half hour Kieran Richardson gave Wanderers a reminder that the Wearsiders were still a threat when he rattled Hennessey's upright from a free-kick 25 yards out.[LNB] After the break the hosts continued to press and Ronald Zubar gave a statement of intent when he fired over with a little over a minute on the clock. And this pressure finally paid off when the Wolves skipper fired home from the edge of the box after Craig Gordon had saved Matt Jarvis' initial effort five minutes into the half.[LNB] Bent then saw an effort cleared off the line as Sunderland searched for an equaliser before Bruce sent on Asamoah Gyan and Steed Malbranque for Jordan Henderson and Zenden in the 55th minute.[LNB] Jarvis wasted a good opportunity five minutes later before Welbeck and Kevin Doyle did likewise moments later.[LNB] But just as it looked as if the Black Cats had used up all their ideas, a long Gordon punt was flicked into the path of Bent, via Gyan, and he calmly slotted past Hennessey from inside the box, despite the attendance of Stearman.[LNB] An outrageous effort from Malbranque almost gave Sunderland the lead but Hennessey scrambled back to turn the danger over the bar.[LNB] The visitors were now beginning to look the more dangerous and moments after Malbranque's effort Welbeck netted his fourth goal in three games when getting his head to Bardsley's cross in the 76th minute.[LNB] Five minutes later, however, Wolves were back on level terms when Stephen Hunt turned home from close range following good work from Jarvis and Elokobi and Ebanks-Blake sent the Wanderers' supporters home happy when he netted a crutial goal two minutes before the end.[LNB] Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah (Elmohamady 81), Ferdinand, Bardsley, Richardson, Henderson (Malbranque 55), Cattermole, Zenden (Gyan, 55), Bent, Welbeck.[LNB] Subs not used: Mignolet, Angeleri, Da Silva, Riveros[LNB] Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Elokobi, Stearman, Ward, Foley, Mancienne, (Ebanks-Blake 80), Milijas, D Jones (Hunt 63), Jarvis, Doyle[LNB] Subs not used: Hahnemann, Fletcher, Bent, Van Damme, Davis[LNB]
