Results tagged “Bolton” from SAFC Banter - Join the debate with Sunderland fans, staff writers and club legends
SO, finally Sunderland fans have a point to celebrate as we cling on to the Premier League by the finest of hairs. The 0-0 draw away at Bolton brought with it a much needed digit added on to the point total, but also a decent performance.
Lining up in a formation that was somewhere in between 4-2-3-1 and 4-5-1 Sunderland looked impressive as Leadbitter, Malbranque and Richardson linked up with lone striker Kenwyne Jones to great effect, only to squander their chances. Richardson alone had three or four opportunities to put the Black Cats ahead.
PHIL BARDSLEY says Sunderland have Marton Fulop to thank for sparing them their biggest heartbreak of the season.
Fulop made a brilliant injury-time save to stop Gary Cahill snatching victory for Bolton in a game that Sunderland should have had dead and buried by half-time.
ELLIS Short has told Sunderland's players he will sanction another summer of big spending if they complete the job of staying in the Premier League.
The news was delivered by chairman Niall Quinn before Saturday's match against Bolton Wanderers and seemed to inspire a much-improved performance.
It earned a 0-0 draw and Sunderland's first away point since February's identical scoreline at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
RICKY SBRAGIA expects nothing less than total commitment from Sunderland against his old club Bolton tomorrow.
The Black Cats head to the Reebok Stadium looking for their first away win of 2009 - and with it the points that would bring them to the brink of safety.
But after two dismal performances against West Brom and Everton - both of which ended in defeat - Sunderland boss Sbragia is looking for a much-improved display against Bolton.
THE uncertainty over Roy Keane's future is like a cloud hanging over Wearside - but the Sunderland boss insists it should have no effect on his players.
Keane is in the final year of his three-year deal and his non-commital remarks in recent days concerning his intentions have have only heightened the tension surrounding his ongoing contract talks.
The speculation cranked up another notch after Sunderland's slide down the table continued with a this dismal home defeat, Keane admitting he asks himself on a daily basis whether he is the right man for the job.
However, he says his players are perfectly capable of putting such considerations out of their minds and concentrating on getting results.
FORGET what you may have read in the week - Sunderland's season is over and they have already headed for the beach. That's the only conclusion to draw after their shameful display at Bolton.
For all the talk that they would not be 'downing tools' after securing safety last weekend and would be 'up for it' in their two remaining games, the reality at the Reebok was very, very different.
Instead, Sunderland broke every promise they made since they guaranteed survival with a win against Boro, and gave a performance that must had Roy Keane tearing his hair out.
Bolton boss Gary Megson won't be complaining though - this win means his side are safe, realistically if not yet mathematically. Joy for Bolton then, but not for Sunderland.
This was arguably the Black Cats' worst performance of the season.
SUNDERLAND 3 BOLTON WANDERERS 1
Sunderland climbed out of the bottom three as they claimed a crucial victory over Bolton at the Stadium of Light.
Goals from Kieran Richardson, Kenwyne Jones and sub Daryl Murphy gave the Black Cats only their second win in 14 games.
But the win means Sunderland will go into 2008 outside the relegation zone, as they now sit fourth-bottom - a point above Wigan, who are directly below them.
Richardson gave Sunderland a great start when he scored his first goal for the club since his summer £5.5m move from Manchester United, although Jones deserves tremendous credit for skilfully evading three defenders just outside the box before releasing his teammate.
