45:00 +2:05 Half time
Half Time
First Half ends, Sunderland 1, Southampton 2. 45:00 +1:26 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Vito Mannone. 45:00 +1:23 Attempt saved. Rickie Lambert (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. 45:00 +0:32 Steven Davis (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 45:00 +0:32 Foul by Lee Cattermole (Sunderland). 42:22 Foul by Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton). 42:22 Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 41:40 Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. 41:38 Attempt blocked. Adam Lallana (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven Davis. 37:27 Booking
Booking
Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card. 36:57 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Wes Brown. 33:37 Attempt missed. Wes Brown (Sunderland) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Sebastian Larsson with a cross following a corner. 33:12 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Jose Fonte. 33:10 Attempt blocked. Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcos Alonso with a cross. 31:34 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 1, Southampton 2. Fabio Borini (Sunderland) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Johnson. 30:08 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 0, Southampton 2. Dejan Lovren (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Steven Davis with a cross following a corner. 29:46 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by John O'Shea. 28:20 Attempt saved. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rickie Lambert. 26:06 Offside, Sunderland. Adam Johnson tries a through ball, but Phillip Bardsley is caught offside. 25:05 Offside, Southampton. Jose Fonte tries a through ball, but Rickie Lambert is caught offside. 22:34 Foul by Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton). 22:34 Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21:29 Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 21:29 Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland). 20:50 Attempt missed. Rickie Lambert (Southampton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Morgan Schneiderlin with a through ball. 17:30 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Adam Johnson. 16:52 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Sebastian Larsson. 16:19 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Marcos Alonso. 16:03 Attempt blocked. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Lallana with a cross. 14:57 Attempt blocked. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Cork. 12:30 Attempt missed. Jack Cork (Southampton) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high. 10:06 Booking
Booking
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 9:46 Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 9:46 Foul by Lee Cattermole (Sunderland). 3:49 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 0, Southampton 1. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Morgan Schneiderlin with a headed pass. 0:00
First Half begins. 0:00 Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Adam Johnson's goal helped relegation-battling Sunderland come back from two goals down to draw against Southampton.
Jay Rodriguez arrowed in a low 22-yard strike to put the visitors ahead and a steered Dejan Lovren volley from a corner extended the lead.
Fabio Borini's shot on the turn then pulled one back for the Black Cats.
Southampton missed several chances and were punished when Johnson powered in a rising shot, with Steven Fletcher having a late Sunderland chance saved.
More to follow
Full time
Full Time
Match ends, Sunderland 2, Southampton 2. 90:00 +7:03 Full time
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 2, Southampton 2. 90:00 +6:30 Attempt blocked. Ki Sung-Yueng (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Craig Gardner. 90:00 +5:50 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Jose Fonte. 90:00 +1:47 Hand ball by Fabio Borini (Sunderland). 90:00 +0:45 Attempt blocked. Fabio Borini (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 89:32 James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing. 89:32 Foul by Marcos Alonso (Sunderland). 88:15 Foul by Rickie Lambert (Southampton). 88:15 John O'Shea (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 87:25 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Maya Yoshida replaces Dejan Lovren because of an injury. 87:10 Delay over. They are ready to continue. 86:25 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. James Ward-Prowse replaces Gastón Ramírez because of an injury. 84:20 Delay in match Dejan Lovren (Southampton) because of an injury. 84:20 Delay in match Gastón Ramírez (Southampton) because of an injury. 82:00 Attempt saved. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) left footed shot from long range on the right is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Craig Gardner. 80:55 Offside, Sunderland. Fabio Borini tries a through ball, but Steven Fletcher is caught offside. 77:23 Offside, Sunderland. Fabio Borini tries a through ball, but Steven Fletcher is caught offside. 76:48 Foul by Calum Chambers (Southampton). 76:48 Fabio Borini (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
75:07 Attempt saved. Steven Fletcher (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. 75:05 Attempt blocked. Craig Gardner (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Marcos Alonso. 74:38 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Dejan Lovren. 74:32 Attempt saved. Craig Gardner (Sunderland) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Steven Fletcher. 73:12 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Southampton. Gastón Ramírez replaces Adam Lallana. 72:20 Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 72:20 Foul by Phillip Bardsley (Sunderland). 71:30 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Steven Fletcher replaces Jozy Altidore. 70:42 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 2, Southampton 2. Adam Johnson (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Craig Gardner. 66:42 Calum Chambers (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 66:42 Foul by Jozy Altidore (Sunderland). 63:52 Offside, Sunderland. Craig Gardner tries a through ball, but Fabio Borini is caught offside. 62:13 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Jack Colback replaces Sebastian Larsson. 61:59 Substitution
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Craig Gardner replaces Lee Cattermole. 60:41 Attempt missed. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Rickie Lambert. 59:11 Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Vito Mannone. 59:08 Attempt missed. Luke Shaw (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Lallana following a fast break. 58:04 Attempt saved. Jose Fonte (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Steven Davis with a cross. 57:35 Adam Lallana (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing. 57:35 Foul by Marcos Alonso (Sunderland). 55:55 Attempt saved. Jay Rodriguez (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Lallana. 55:09 Foul by Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton). 55:09 Adam Johnson (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 54:08 Attempt saved. Calum Chambers (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Morgan Schneiderlin. 50:50 Offside, Sunderland. John O'Shea tries a through ball, but Marcos Alonso is caught offside. 49:09 Foul by Jack Cork (Southampton). 49:09 Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 48:30 Attempt saved. Luke Shaw (Southampton) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Artur Boruc. 47:42 Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Rickie Lambert. 46:57 Foul by Dejan Lovren (Southampton). 46:57 Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing. 45:45 Foul by Rickie Lambert (Southampton). 45:45 Marcos Alonso (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing. 45:13 Attempt missed. Steven Davis (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Rickie Lambert with a headed pass. 45:00
Second Half begins Sunderland 1, Southampton 2.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-18 14:59
Jozy Altidore is one of the worst forwards since the premier league began no excuses hes crap.
Friendlies:
Local Select XI 1 Sunderland 13 (10 July 2013)
Sunderland 1 FC Chiasso 0 (17 July 2013)
FC Midtjylland 0 Sunderland 1 (7 August 2013)
Barclays Premier League Asia Trophy:
Tottenham 1 Sunderland 3 (24 July 2013)
Manchester City 1 Sunderland 0 (27 July 2013) FINAL
Premier League:
Sunderland 0 Fulham 1
Southampton 1 Sunderland 1
Crystal Palace 3 Sunderland 1
Sunderland 1 Arsenal 3
West Bromwich Albion 3 Sunderland 0
Sunderland 1 Liverpool 3
Sunderland 1 Manchester United 2
Swansea City 4 Sunderland 0
Sunderland 2 Newcastle United 1
Hull City 1 Sunderland 0
Sunderland 1 Manchester City 0
Stoke City 2 Sunderland 0
Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0
Sunderland 3 Chelsea 4
Sunderland 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
West Ham United 0 Sunderland 0
Sunderland 0 Norwich City 0
Everton 0 Sunderland 1
Cardiff City 2 Sunderland 2
Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 1
Fulham 1 Sunderland 4
Sunderland 2 Southampton 2
League Cup:
Sunderland 4 MK Dons 2
Sunderland 2 Peterborough United 0
Sunderland 2 Southampton 0
Sunderland 2 Chelsea 1 (aet)
Sunderland 2 Manchester United 1
FA Cup:
Sunderland 3 Carlisle United 1
Upcoming Games:
Manchester United v Sunderland (LEAGUE CUP) [22 January 2014]
Sunderland v Kidderminster Harriers (FA CUP) [25 January 2014]
Sunderland v Stoke City (Premier League) [28 January 2014]
Sunderland have signed Argentine defender Santiago Vergini on loan until the end of the season.
The 25-year old centre-back plays for Uruguayan club Atletico Fenix, but he has been on loan at Argentine side Estudiantes this season.
Vergini, who will wear the number 27 shirt, has previously played for Italian club Verona and renowned Argentina club side Newell's Old Boys.
The defender won his first international cap in 2012.
Vergini is Sunderland's second signing of the January 2014 transfer window, with Gus Poyet's side having already recruited Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso on loan for the rest of the season.
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Man Utd Vs Sunderland
CAPITAL ONE CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 22 January
Coverage: Watch highlights on The League Cup Show on Wednesday at 2315 GMT, BBC One.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United will be without captain Nemanja Vidic as he begins a three-match suspension following his sending off against Chelsea.
Patrice Evra is a doubt after he limped off in that match, while Wayne Rooney may again miss out along with fellow striker Robin van Persie.
Sunderland forward Steven Fletcher is a doubt due to a troublesome Achilles injury.
Goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and defender Carlos Cuellar remain on the sidelines.
MATCH PREVIEW
David Moyes has swatted away any talk of a crisis at Old Trafford but the embattled Manchester United manager knows that if his side do not overturn a 2-1 deficit to Sunderland in their League Cup semi-final second leg then the chances are that he is going to end his first season in charge without any domestic silverware.
“We will try and do everything we can to get through even getting my players to cheat and dive. I want to give the supporters something to cheer about. There has not been an awful lot. I am fully aware of that”
Manchester United boss David Moyes
Their defeat to Chelsea means the prospect of retaining their Premier League title are looking increasingly slim. They have won just one of their last five matches and the ease with which so many clubs have picked up once-rare victories at Old Trafford this season will give Sunderland real hope they can end their own 46-year winless streak at the Theatre of Dreams - and reach their first major cup final for 22 years.
They have one of the Premier League's form players in England's forgotten man Adam Johnson. He has either scored or assisted nine of the Black Cats' last 11 goals and has been the key man in a revival that has seen Gus Poyet's team lose just one of their last nine matches.
However, they went 2-0 down within just 31 minutes against Southampton on Saturday prompting an angry Poyet to say his side will be knocked out by Manchester United if they start like that again at Old Trafford.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Sunderland have only won two of their last 25 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions (L18 D5), though both of these victories have come in the League Cup (the first leg of this tie and in 2000-01) .
The Black Cats have not won at Old Trafford in a major competition since May 1968 (D9 L16).
Sunderland and Manchester United have both won one of two previous League Cup ties between the sides; the Red Devils won a third round second replay in 1976-77 before the Black Cats won 2-1 in a fourth-round tie in 2000-01.
Manchester United
*Manchester United have won eight of their last nine League Cup semi-final ties, losing only to Chelsea in the 2004-05 season.
*They have scored in all but one of their last 18 League Cup games, scoring a total of 40 goals in those matches.
*The Red Devils have not lost consecutive League Cup games since September 2007.
*Eight of the last nine teams to win the first-leg of a League Cup semi-final 2-1 at home have been eliminated. Manchester United overturned a 2-1 deficit against Manchester City in 2009-10, winning 3-1 in the second leg at Old Trafford.
*They have won the League Cup four times in 1992, 2006, 2009 and 2010.
Sunderland
*They have only scored more than one goal in just five of their 22 league matches this season, but have scored at least two goals in all five of their League Cup ties this season.
*The Black Cats have only managed two wins in their last 10 League Cup games away from home at top flight sides (D2 L6) and are without a clean sheet in 11.
*They were runners-up in 1985, losing 1-0 Norwich.
LIAM BRIDCUTT’S eagerness to join Sunderland has again been highlighted after the midfielder was left out of the Brighton squad for Saturday’s defeat at Derby.
Bridcutt has been one of Sunderland’s principal targets during the January transfer window after the defensive midfielder worked under Black Cats boss Gus Poyet at Brighton.
The 24-year-old saw a transfer request rejected by the Seagulls earlier this month after Sunderland failed with a bid of around £2million for the former Chelsea youngster.
And Brighton boss Oscar Garcia revealed on Saturday that Bridcutt was not in the right frame of mind to feature against the Rams.
Garcia said: “He was available for selection but he spoke with Nathan (Jones, Brighton assistant manager) and he said that maybe he would not be focused on the game 100 per cent.
“A lot of things are happening around him and he was honest and for this he didn’t play.”
Poyet has already brought left-back Marcos Alonso to the Stadium of Light this month and is on the verge of wrapping up a deal for Argentine centre-half Santiago Vergini.
But the head coach is keen to make further additions, with Bridcutt, plus Brighton team-mate Will Buckley, both on the Uruguayan’s wish-list.
Poyet gave a strong hint that was still the case last week when he told the Echo that he was looking for domestic signings, as much as he was keen on overseas recruits.
He said: “We are looking everywhere. England is part of everywhere and I think the possibility of bringing in a player that is English or British and a foreigner, is exactly the same.
“We try to make sure that we bring in players that have already played in England first, if it is a foreigner.”
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No magic behind my return to form, insists Sunderland star Adam Johnson.
Sunderland star Adam Johnson puts his change in fortunes down to nothing more than a fluctuation in form
Adam Johnson insists there is no secret underlying his Sunderland renaissance.
The former Manchester City star made little impact in the first 18 months after his £10m move to Wearside, but since the turn of the year he has taken centre-stage for the Black Cats.
And the England man has either scored or provided the assist for an incredible nine of Sunderland’s last 11 goals in all competitions.
Yet Johnson says the change in his fortunes is nothing more than a player emerging from a ‘bad spell’ of form.
“I’m on a nice run of form and I’m delighted with how it’s going,” said Johnson.
“I just want to keep getting my head down, working hard and keep helping us to get points.
“People go through bad spells in their career and good spells.
“I haven’t changed anything at all. Nothing that I’ve been doing in training or anything.
“You’ve just got to keep working hard.
“You don’t turn into a bad player over six months or a year.
“I’ve come back into form and I’m delighted with that.”
Johnson scored one and made one as the Black Cats came back from 2-0 down to earn a point against Southampton at the weekend.
He provided the assist for Fabio Borini, and then equalised with his seventh goal of the season – and his fifth in four games.
He said: “We’re showing the spirit that we’ve got and it almost feels like a win for us after coming back from 2-0 down and being really poor in the first half-hour.
“But to make it 2-1 at the end of the first half was massive for us. That totally changed the game.
“Southampton crumbled a bit, their passing wasn’t as crisp, they started giving the ball away and we capitalised on that.”
Sunderland might even have won had they taken one of their chances in the final 15 minutes, but in the circumstances Johnson admits they were happy with the point.
He added: “Even in the last 10-15 minutes, we could have even nicked it.
“We didn’t, but at 2-0 down, we’d have been delighted with a point.”
Tyneside Yobs jailed after Newcastle vs Sunderland derby trouble
FOOTBALL hooligans who were involved in trouble after last season’s Tyne-Wear derby have been jailed for a total of 45 years.
Of the 76 people so far dealt with by the courts, 45 of the main offenders have been jailed from between four months and 21 months.
Others - including juveniles and first time offenders - have been sentenced to community orders for their role in the disorder, which was broadcast across the country.
The trouble erupted in the wake of Sunderland’s 3-0 win at St James’s Park in April.
All of those sentenced by the courts have been given football banning orders of up to six years, ensuring they will not be attending football matches for several seasons.
Police are warning others that getting involved in disorder could see them end up in prison or with a criminal record which could ultimately impact on their future.
Out of the 156 arrested, 57 said they had been to the match and 33 were season ticket holders.
Northumbria Police Assistant Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: “This was very much football-related disorder, the worst in the country last season, and no-one wants to see a repeat of those scenes.
“I’d like to reassure people that the disorder which happened after last season’s fixture was unusual and we took swift and decisive enforcement action to ensure those suspected of being involved were progressed through the courts.
“Public safety is our priority and this enforcement action has resulted in a number of prison sentences and banning orders, ensuring those involved are not at next month’s fixture.
“We know from interviews and court hearings that some of those involved did not set out to cause trouble and many of the younger offenders were first or second time offenders who had not been in trouble with police previously.
“I’d urge people to think about their actions and the impact this could have on their lives, their community and the city in which they live.
“This disorder was in no way reflective of the people who live in the Northumbria Police area or of North East football supporters, who want nothing more than to support their team in a safe and enjoyable environment.
“We always put safety first and with this at the forefront of our minds we’re working closely with both football clubs and other partner agencies to prevent a minority from putting the safety of others at risk.”
In total, 93 people were charged with offences following the derby in April, with 17 cases still being progressed through the courts.
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Sunderland reject Steven Fletcher SPITS on rickshaw driver - then posts pic on Instagram calling him a cunt.
Fletcher also filmed the sickening London incident, in which the grinning Scottish international deliberately flobbed on the driver's back
Premier League star Steven Fletcher filmed himself spitting on the back of a rickshaw driver taking him on a night out.
Then the shameless £12million Sunderland striker proudly posted a picture of the cabbie’s phlegm-covered jacket on Instagram with the message “Al spit on ya back ya cunt.”
Scottish international Fletcher also filmed the sickening incident on his mobile as the rickshaw took him and a pal through the streets of London.
During the video, which he also posted, Fletcher, 26, can be seen grinning alongside his giggling friend.
Footage and images of the vile incident – which drew appreciative comments from several of his followers – were later removed from the player’s account.
Black Cats fans will be shocked by the behaviour of their £40,000-a-week striker. There are around 150 bicycle rickshaw – or pedicab – drivers working in London. They are mainly foreign students striving to pay for their studies.
In stark contrast to Fletcher’s wealthy lifestyle, many struggle to make enough to cover the expense of running the cab, despite working dangerous night shifts in busy traffic.
The Scot is not the first Sunderland player to have been in trouble off the field in recent seasons.
Last year midfielder Stephane Sessegnon, 29, now with West Brom, was banned after admitting drink driving. Fletcher shares a £650,000 country home in Co Durham with beauty queen partner Rachel Monaghan, 21, and daughter Darcy-Mae.
Fashion-mad Fletcher sparked fury among fans in 2012. He tried to flog his new clothing range to 100,000 Twitter followers just hours after a Scotland defeat made it almost impossible for them to qualify for this summer’s World Cup finals.
David Moyes is not having the best of times as Manchester United manager, and an exit from the Capital One Cup will heap further pressure on him.
The 3-1 loss to Chelsea on Sunday was the seventh time they have lost in the Premier League this season, and United must turn around a 2-1 deficit to Sunderland if they want to reach the final of the League Cup.
Sunderland were value for money for their victory in the first leg, and there is a danger that if Untied fail to overcome Sunderland, then Moyes is going to end up trophyless in his first season in charge.
United are 2/5 to qualify for the final, while Sunderland are 7/4 to complete the job and reach the final, but with the team currently struggling, United have a tough task to beat a side who sent Chelsea packing from the competition.
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Man Utd star Vidic out of Sunderland semi-final
MANCHESTER UNITED skipper Nemanja Vidic will miss Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland after he was sent off against Chelsea today.
Vidic was dismissed in stoppage time of Man United’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge and he will miss the next three games as a result, albeit the reigning Premier League champions could decide to appeal the decision.
United boss David Moyes already has injury worries over strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, with only the latter boasting a slim chance of featuring against the Black Cats.
Sunderland will head to Old Trafford with a 2-1 lead from the first leg, as the Black Cats look to reach their first major final since 1992.
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Quinn hat-trick gives Newcastle derby win against Sunderland
QUINN is a name which has inflicted misery for Newcastle United on Tyneside.
But at St James’s Park tonight, Magpies youngster Jonathyn Quinn proved Sunderland’s nemesis after his hat-trick ended the Black Cats’ hopes in the FA Youth Cup with a 4-0 win.
Three poacher’s efforts from the Ashington-born frontman secured a comprehensive victory for Newcastle in the Under-18 derby, before strike partner Adam Armstrong put the icing on Sunderland’s humiliation to send the hosts into the fifth round.
While Sunderland had gone toe-to-toe in a scrappy opening 45 minutes, without ever hurting Newcastle, the final scoreline was as comprehensive as it suggested after an awful second half from the visitors.
Ged McNamee’s side never recovered from going a goal down on the stroke of half-time and couldn’t even manage a meaningful effort on the Newcastle goal in response.
For long periods of the first half, Newcastle weren’t much more threatening.
Sunderland stopper Maksymillian Stryjek was forced into a smart save in the fifth minute after the Black Cats were careless bringing the ball out from the back.
Quinn nipped in on the edge of the Sunderland area and drove a right-footed shot across goal which was pushed away by Stryjek.
But the remainder of the half was a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to create anything clear-cut.
The only effort on goal Sunderland could muster was a weak shot from the left-hand side of the area by Thomas Robson which was straight at goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
But on the stroke of half-time, Newcastle got their noses in front when Rolando Aarons jinked down the left and drove a low powerful low cross into the area which was coolly helped into the far corner by Quinn.
Magpies striker Armstrong should have done better in the 54th minute when he met Quinn’s inch-perfect cross from the right, but he couldn’t make a clean contact and sent his glancing header across the face.
But moments later, Newcastle did double their advantage when Macauley Gillesphey’s cross from the right was spilled horribly by Stryjek and Quinn poked it home from cross range.
Quinn’s hat-trick arrived in the 73rd minute - and it was almost a carbon-copy of his first - as he met a low cross from the right, this time from Jamie Sterry, and curled it into the far corner.
It got even worse for Sunderland in the 82nd minute when Sunderland substitute Andrew Nelson sent a suicidal back-pass towards his own goal which went straight to the feet of Armstrong.
The striker had just Stryjek to beat and kept his cool to tuck it away low to the keeper’s left.
Armstrong almost grabbed a second in stoppage time when he span away from Ross Colquhoun and bore down on Stryjek, only for the keeper to block well with his outstretched right leg.
It was irrelevant though. Sunderland’s misery had been sealed long before the final kick.
THE TIMING of Roberto De Fanti’s dismissal as Sunderland director of football may have caused a few eyebrows to raise.
With a fortnight to run of the January transfer window, it seemed a touch surprising to shuffle the club’s management structure while deals were still to be done.
But, in reality, the loss of the agent-turned-Ellis Short favourite won’t have any destabilising effect on Sunderland’s bid for reinforcements. Quite the contrary, if anything.
Chief executive Margaret Byrne is well versed in conducting transfer negotiations, while Gus Poyet has been behind those players Sunderland have targeted this month.
Ever since gauging the calibre of Sunderland’s summer signings in his first few weeks in the job, Poyet has been determined to be pro-active over the fresh faces, rather than delegating them to De Fanti, as Paolo Di Canio had done.
But while Poyet’s focus must now turn to the demands of four crucial games inside 11 days, including a League Cup semi-final and the derby, business in these next two weeks could be pivotal towards Sunderland’s survival hopes.
Poyet claimed after an entertaining, if perhaps fortuitous draw against Southampton, that he was looking for new recruits “everywhere” throughout the side.
Yet Saturday highlighted the two areas which have to be a priority – central midfield and centre-forward.
Southampton have enjoyed more time to fine-tune the brand of football which Poyet is attempting to bring to Wearside. Inevitably, they are able to do it more cohesively at present.
But they also have more quality in those pivotal positions.
Morgan Schneiderlin utterly dominated the middle of the park, both creatively and defensively, by constantly pressing Ki Sung-Yueng and denying the influential South Korean the chance to dictate proceedings.
It was only when Ki moved into a deeper role, when Lee Cattermole went off, that the on-loan Swansea man was able to exert some control.
Perhaps that provided Poyet with food for thought over whether both midfielders can be including in the same XI at home.
But Sunderland have to be cleverer than just relying on Ki to feed Fabio Borini or an increasingly influential Adam Johnson, who had an engaging battle with hugely promising Saints left-back Luke Shaw.
Like the rest of his team-mates, Cattermole was guilty of cheaply surrendering possession on the rare occasions when Sunderland saw anything of the ball, while Seb Larsson endured a game to forget, highlighted by the cheers from the crowd which greeted his removal.
Even when asked to move into the hole behind Jozy Altidore at the start of the second half, when Sunderland finally began to show some intensity, Larsson was unable to improve his impact.
Craig Gardner made a telling contribution when he replaced Larsson and finally offered some decent support to the frontman.
Consistency has been a problem for the Brummie though and, with his contract expiring in the summer, that attacking midfield role is one which remains a problem.
So, too, does the striker, particularly if the knock which restricted Steven Fletcher to an emergency contribution from the bench, develops into a serious injury.
Altidore was forced to feed off scraps, but the American needs to do more to help himself.
The £6million summer arrival’s first-touch lets him down, while he too often lets his marker get ahead of him when one of the full-backs knocks the ball down the channel to relieve some pressure.
There have been calls for Danny Graham and Connor Wickham to be recalled – particularly strong for the latter given his goals return at Sheffield Wednesday – yet there has to be a suspicion that Poyet is not convinced by either. He is likely to look elsewhere.
The bottom line is that Poyet needs more players who can make the difference at the Stadium of Light.
Away from home, Sunderland look a solid, well-drilled outfit, very capable of exploiting any gaps on the counter-attack.
Yet aside from Johnson, there hasn’t been enough to worry sides on Wearside, particularly when they have done their homework on the Black Cats.
Some of that has to come down to a lack of intensity from kick-off.
Far from starting like an express train after the 4-1 victory at Fulham, Sunderland were more Thomas the Tank Engine on Saturday lunchtime.
The lack of pressing on Southampton was frighteningly exposed by Jay Rodriguez for the early opener, albeit it was an excellent finish from the former Burnley man, while it took some suspect goalkeeping from Artur Boruc to kick-start the Black Cats after the Pole couldn’t keep out Fabio Borini’s fourth goal of the season.
It’s fine for Sunderland to try to take the sting out of the game on the road, but at the Stadium of Light, they need to take the initiative.
But the home form has been a problem for far longer than just Poyet’s reign. There have been just four Premier League wins at the Stadium of Light since the turn of 2013 and that is an unwanted statistic which requires attention from fresh pairs of eyes.
A point after playing so poorly for long periods against an impressive Southampton side is nothing to complain about.
Such a return would hardly have been classed as a disaster prior to kick-off, regardless of the turmoil off-the-field at St Mary’s last week, and it keeps Sunderland’s tally ticking over.
Yes, Sunderland could have moved out of the bottom three with a victory, but it’s points, not places, which are the overwhelming priority at this stage.
But Sunderland will need to win three, probably more, times at home before the end of the season.
The upcoming Stadium of Light games against Stoke, Hull, West Brom, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Cardiff and Swansea will decide their fate.
Poyet needs to make sure his acquisitions over the next 12 days are astute enough to garner enough points from that pivotal set of fixtures.
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Sunderland new signing could play in cup semi-final against Manchester United
SUNDERLAND have signed Argentine centre-half Santiago Vergini on a season-long loan.
And the South American could go straight into the Capital One Cup semi-final squad against Manchester United if his international clearance comes through in time.
A more likely debut might be against Kidderminster Rovers in the FA Cup fourth round this Saturday.
But manager Gus Poyet will be less concerned about when the 25-year-old makes his debut than the fact that lengthy negotiations have paid off and the the defender will be in Sunderland colours for the rest of the campaign.
Vergini was on loan with Argentinian club Estudiantes from his Uruguayan parent club Atletico Fenix and the deal was not straight-forward to pull off.
Vergini, who will wear shirt number 27, is Sunderland’s second signing of the January transfer window - Marcos Alonso having joined on loan from Fiorentina at the start of the month.
Vergini has one international cap, which he picked up in 2012, having begun his career in Paraguay with Olimpia, briefly playing with Italian side Verona in 2011 before a successful spell at title-winning Newell’s Old Boys in his home country.
He joined Estudiantes in 2013 but the move has not worked out and Sunderland have taken advantage.
Sunderland sweating over Fletcher fitness for Manchester United tie
Gus Poyet was hoping to rest the Scotland international against Southampton at the weekend due to a slight knock, but brought the forward on in order to salvage a point
Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is doubtful for Wednesday's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg with Manchester United due to an achilles injury.
The striker was restricted to fewer than 20 minutes in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southampton, coming on as a substitute for Jozy Altidore.
Gus Poyet's men head into the encounter at Old Trafford with a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg, but face the prospect of being without the Scot for the return match as they attempt to reach Wembley.
"We were trying not to play him at all (against Southampton) because he had a problem, a little injury," told the Sunderland Echo.
"We would not have involved him if we had been doing well. I asked him to take a risk for him and for his team-mates, and credit to him, he did.
"It's a tricky injury, and he could have made it worse, but he was happy in his warm-up and he gave us a very good 20 minutes."
Sunderland go in search of a first Capital One Cup - or equivalent competition - final appearance since losing 1-0 to Norwich City in the 1985 showpiece in high spirits, having lost just once in their last 10 matches in all competitions.
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Sunderland’s interest may be fading in Scocco as Cardiff move to land Argentinian winger
SUNDERLAND’S interest in Nacho Scocco appears to have cooled, with Cardiff City now in pole position for the Argentine winger.
Scocco has been on Sunderland’s radar throughout this transfer window – as the 28-year-old was during the summer – with the Black Cats’ interest confirmed by both the forward’s agent and his father.
Sunderland are thought to have made a formal enquiry with Brazilian club Internacional earlier in the month over Scocco’s availability.
But the Echo understands that Internacional held a meeting with Scocco and his agent yesterday and there was no mention of any further interest from Sunderland.
However, fellow strugglers Cardiff City are thought to have made an enquiry and Internacional are now waiting for a concrete bid from the Premier League’s basement boys.
Gus Poyet has refused to comment on the speculation regarding Scocco, but the head coach appeared to brush off Sunderland’s interest when asked by the Echo last week.
Scocco, who netted 30 goals in 46 appearances for Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys last season, would command a significant outlay in terms of wages, while Internacional are looking for a transfer fee in excess of £5million.
While Internacional are likely to accept a lower figure, given Scocco is keen to leave the club, it would still require a significant outlay from Sunderland, who have been cautious over stretching themselves financially in this window, given their Premier League status is in such jeopardy.
And although Sunderland are on the verge of sealing a deal for Argentine centre-half Santiago Vergini, Poyet has been keen to land players with experience of English football, who are able to hit the ground running.
As Poyet told the Echo last week, British players are as high on his radar as any overseas recruits.
He said: “We are looking everywhere. England is part of everywhere and I think the possibility of bringing in a player that is English or British and a foreigner, is exactly the same.
“We try to make sure that we bring in players that have already played in England first, if it is a foreigner.”
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Rooney set for Manchester United return against Sunderland
The England striker had been easing himself back into work at Carrington after returning from a warm-weather recuperation break in Egypt, but is now back in full training
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is back in full training and is expected to be included in the squad to face Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Rooney had been struggling with a groin injury since the end of December, and aggravated the problem after playing against Tottenham on New Year's Day.
Manager David Moyes had sent Rooney to Egypt for some warm-weather recuperation work with a United fitness coach with a view to getting him fit for Sunday's clash against Chelsea.
And although the club were hopeful he would be back to face the Blues upon his return, Rooney had been easing his way back into training and was not ready for the trip to Stamford Bridge, where Samuel Eto'o's hat-trick helped deliver a 3-1 victory for Jose Mourinho's side.
But the striker was involved in full contact training on Monday - including ball work and tackling - and although he is not thought to be ready for 90 minutes, he is expected to play some part against the Black Cats, who lead 2-1 from the first leg.
"Wayne is really keen to get back into the side and is going full throttle in training," a Carrington source told Goal.
"The medical guys have given him the all clear to play, so it should hopefully just be a case of getting his fitness up to scratch."
Rooney's contract expires at the end of next season and Goal understands that he has repeatedly rejected United's attempts to enter negotiations over a new deal.
Sunderland hope to have new Argentinian goalkeeper Oscar Ustari on bench at Manchester United.
SUNDERLAND have signed Argentinan goalkeeper Oscar Ustaria and are now in a race against time to have him available for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Manchester United
The 27-year-old joins from Spanish side Almeria on loan until the end of the season and Gus Poyet is desperate to have him on the bench as back up to Vito Mannone at Old Trafford.
But that will depend on whether the paper-work is processed in time for the evening kick-off.
Ustaria is yet to arrive in England and is expected to fly into Manchester on the day of the game, with the first chance he is likely to have of meeting his new team-mates being in the hours in the run-up to the match.
Poyet told the Echo: “We will have to wait and see whether things are done in time but we are hopeful.
“He is a good keeper, an experienced keeper, and if it is at all possible for him to be involved against Man United, then that’s an opportunity we want to take.
“It will be helpful, especially if we have a game where it goes to extra time and penalties and it is possible that for one reason or another he ends up being involved in that.
“You can never predict cup games and it could be one of those situations where he makes his debut, is forced to come on and becomes a hero but certainly it would be nice to have the option to include him.”
The Black Cats were linked with a string of goalkeepers after head coach Gus Poyet admitted the club was in the market for an experienced keeper following Keiren Westwood’s shoulder operation.
There has been talk of Argentine keeper Mariano Andujar as well as Millwall’s David Forde.
But Ustaria, who moved to La Liga from Boca Juniors last summer, became the clear target.
He is Sunderland’s third signing of the January transfer window, joining Estudiantes’ Santiago Vergini and Fiorentina’s Marcos Alonso.
And Poyet is hopeful of more: “Beyond Ustaria, we are still working on a few new signings.
“There are a few too many rumours - some players I know, some I don’t - but we are just getting on with it.
“There’s a little bit more work for me with Roberto De Fanti leaving but nothing I can’t handle.”
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:33
Man Utd are just one disaster after another under moyes.......defeats, injuries, failures in the transfer market, vidic off..and the Brazillian Hobbit losing his head again and diving in with 2 feet........lack of discipline, loss of belief in Moyes from the team..?......he is on the brink...why will it be any better for the next 5 years.?
Name:
Music!WUaY/FyUGo2014-01-21 11:37
>>812
London plastics like you are not really Man Utd supporters....
The training facilities at Old Trafford must be of very poor standard when they sent Rooney to Egypt to get fit!! The same happened a few years ago; when rooney was sent to America to regain his fitness!!! There's something far wrong at this club. Rooney doesn't even like the heat. We've all saw pictures of him on holidays in the past, where he's either hiding in the shade; or he's in the swimming pool smoking and wearing a whole bottle of Factor 50 sun-cream piled an inch thick on his body!!!! So what do Man Utd do? They send him to Egypt, so he can lie in an air-conditioned room; 'cause it's 40 degrees Celsius outside! Enough to burn your feet if you walked on the sand barefoot (i know, I've been there) And Moyes expects the players and fans to believe that Rooney's trip to Egypt will speed up his fitness?! Even Gary Neville wouldn't believe that nonsense!!!
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:40
Thousands of free tickets given to local schools and plenty more offered to Manchester University Student's Union at £10 a pop for the Sunderland game. There'll till be plenty of empty seats but because they've issued the free and cut price tickets they'll all be added to the official (inflated) attendance. 43,000 empty seats against Newcastle in your last League Cup campaign.
Name:
blues2014-01-21 11:42
It's a sign of the arrogance and and condescending attitude Utd fans have shown toward other fans over the years. You are bad losers, and worse winners. You haven't just celebrated your success like other fans do, you've put yourselves out to humiliate other fans. It's the "we are Manchester United, we are bigger than England, and the rest of you are nobodies" attitude that has led to the rest of us "nobodies" despising you so much. And that my friend, is the reason for the delight at your decline.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:44
"he's kept himself right when he's been away?" sorry i thought he was sent abroad for (a joke) training to work on fitness and now Moyes is pleased he's not got fat and drunk! What the hell is going on? Rooney should stop acting like he's the greatest thing to have happened to united and Moyes needs to stop pandering to him because he's too scared Rooney will leave at the end of the season. Oh, and note to Rooney, you're a sportsman so being fit isn't some great achievement. I really hope we sell him, nobody is bigger than the club
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:46
Blame Rooney and RVP for United's poor league form. Injured for taking a corner? Taking holiday to nurse a leg? Not Moyes fault at all. Just a bunch of babies. If United can't get to top 4 with these two back. Then the summer will be interesting...
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:47
>>817
Let's all hail the return of the "white Pele," looking forward to him setting a record of failing to score in yet another WC this summer, whilst en ger land go out in round one yet again. On another note RVP looks really happy in the above picture. Must be the excitement of working under the tactical and intellectual genius that is the "chosen one...."
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:48
enjoy her land are only in the WC because of a ridiculously easy qualifying group. No we are not but we do have the most expensive footballer in the world who is playing for a real "big" club: REAL MADRID. Remember he refused a hundred million pound move to United, because in his (many others in 2014,) United are no longer a big club. Deutschland 2014. Looking forward to en ger land's humiliating exit once again. Remember 2010, roon is an over rated pie eater, who will do nothing in the heat of Brazil.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:49
Rooney and van Persie coming back is bad news for 15 teams yet to play them. City excluded of course!!!
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:49
>>820
I will give them 3 games before one of them is injured again
Name:
Music!WUaY/FyUGo2014-01-21 11:50
>>821
Read this guys previous comments, something tells me he is a United fan hahaha.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:51
Thank goodness Shrek is back. Agent Moyes can put his £150mil loan away.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 11:53
Sunderland please get rid of all ex Man U players in your team.. Find players who really have the passion for the club not because of past performance.
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-21 12:24
I hope sunderland kick manu ass @ot, and the cheating refs don't help manu like they have been doing.
Capital One Cup: Manchester United v Sunderland match preview
David Moyes will be looking to recover from a string of defeats when his team take on Sunderland tonight in the second leg of the Capital One Cup Semi Final. Currently one goal behind after the first leg, Manchester United will need a good performance if they are to progress through to the final.
After suffering a devastating 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, Moyes is running out of games to catch up with Premier League leaders Arsenal, who are now 14 points ahead in the table. United’s form has been uncharacteristically poor in recent weeks, having suffered four defeats in their last five games, two of which were at Old Trafford. Sunderland currently sit second to bottom of the Premier League and remain in a fight for their survival. Their chances of progressing through to the Capital One Cup Final remain strong after they beat United 2-1 in the first leg of the semi-final. Gus Poyet’s men have also won three of their last four games, so will be confident going into tonight’s match.
KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS:
Sunderland 2 (Giggs (og), Borini) Man Utd 1 (Vidic), Capital One Cup, January 2014
Sunderland 1 (Gardner) Man Utd 2 (Januzaj (2)), Premier League, October 2013
Sunderland 0 Man Utd 1 (Bramble), Premier League, March 2013
STATS:
Sunderland have only won two of their last 25 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions (L18 D5), though both of these victories have come in the League Cup.
Javier Hernandez has scored three goals in just 199 minutes of League Cup action this campaign.
Only Manchester City (75) and Leicester (57) have fired in more shots in this season's League Cup than Sunderland (54).
Manchester United have scored in all but one of their last 18 League Cup games, netting 40 goals in total in this run.
ODDS:
Man Utd to win: 1.33
Sunderland to win: 9.0
Draw: 4.5
TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm, highlights on BBC 1 at 11.15pm
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Preview: United v Sunderland
Date, time and coverage: Wednesday 22 January, 19:45 GMT. Live TV coverage in the UK on Sky Sports. Follow the action live via ManUtd.com's rolling blog and MUTV Online's radio commentary. Match highlights will be on MUTV Online from 24 hours after full-time.
Form guide: Defeat to Chelsea on Sunday meant a fourth defeat in five outings for Manchester United in 2014, while the visitors are on a four-match unbeaten run. The Black Cats' latest result showed character – after trailing 0-2 at home to Southampton on Saturday, they turned it around to claim a point with a 2-2 draw.
Ins and outs: United will be without skipper Nemanja Vidic, who begins a three-match ban for the straight red card he received at Stamford Bridge. Marouane Fellaini is edging back towards full fitness following wrist surgery and a back injury, but the Belgian is still some time away from availability. Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney missed the trip to Chelsea due to their ongoing thigh and groin issues but David Moyes said on Sunday that he hoped the pair were not far away from full fitness. Sunderland have brought in defender Santiago Vergini on loan this week, but it remains to be seen if the Argentinian will make the squad for Wednesday.
Last meeting: Sunderland claimed the first-leg spoils with a 2-1 win, which came courtesy of an own goal from Ryan Giggs and a penalty from on-loan Liverpool striker Fabio Borini. It was a cruel stroke of luck for Giggs, who struck the crossbar and was flagged offside when Adnan Januzaj 'scored' before he inadvertently put the home side ahead. Vidic's header levelled the match early in the second half, but Borini restored Sunderland's lead from the spot after Tom Cleverley was controversially adjudged to have fouled Adam Johnson just inside the area.
Betting: United's online betting partners bwin make the Reds favourites to win the match at 1.33, and give a price of 1.38 for David Moyes' men to advance to Wembley. A draw on the night, which would not be good enough for United, is at 5.00 and a Sunderland win is 8.50, while the price for the visitors triumphing in the tie overall is 2.80. Adnan Januzaj was in sublime form in the first leg at the Stadium of Light, and the talented teenager is 6.50 to open the scoring on Wednesday.
Did you know? The Reds were either level or trailing after the first leg of the club's last three semi-finals in this competition, in 2006, 2009 and 2010. However, in each year United won the second leg to advance to the final and claim the trophy.
The manager: Gus Poyet has certainly improved Sunderland's fortunes following the turbulent reign of the combustible Paulo Di Canio, and while his side remain mired in a battle against relegation from the Barclays Premier League, the cup run under the affable Uruguayan has lifted spirits for Black Cats players and fans alike.
Star man: The first player signed in Roberto Mancini's time as manager at Manchester City, Adam Johnson had become surplus to requirements by August 2012 when Sunderland's then-manager Martin O'Neill brought him back over the Pennines to his native Wearside. The winger has been in good form of late, posing problems off the bench in the first leg against United and bagging a hat-trick at Fulham, leading to talk of a recall to the England set-up ahead of the World Cup.
Quote/unquote: "We did so well to win the first leg against Manchester United but we've still got to finish the job. The cup run has given us a tremendous lift." Gus Poyet
Whistle-blower: United will hope the presence of referee Lee Mason will be a good omen – the Reds have won both games where the Bolton official has been in charge this season, at home to Stoke and away to Aston Villa.
Rivals watch: It would take a footballing miracle for West Ham to overturn a 6-0 deficit from the first leg of their semi-final and prevent Manchester City from claiming a place at Wembley on 2 March. Stranger things have happened – but not very often.
AFTER tomorrow night’s Capital One Cup semi-final against Old Trafford, Sunderland will stay in cup mode when they face Kidderminster in the FA Cup this weekend.
There’s no glory to be gained when you are drawn at home against a non-league club.
All Sunderland can do is get the job done and progress to the next round.
This game is all about Kidderminster, as being a non-league club they have done exceptionally well to get as far as they have.
And every neutral will be rooting for them to beat the Premier League team.
It’s their day.
And the Kidderminster fans and players will, I’m sure, make the most of the occasion.
It’s up to Gus Poyet and Sunderland to make sure their team is not the victim of a giant-killing.
There’s little doubt that Poyet will make changes for this game.
Youngsters Duncan Watmore and El-Hadji Ba made an impact in the last round and it would be no surprise if they feature again, along with other squad players.
It’s easy to forget that Adam Johnson was out of the team before he played against Carlisle United in the last round, where he scored, was man-of-the-match and has never looked back since.
Other players should take notice and follow Johnson’s example if they get the chance on Saturday, as a good performance can put them in the head coach’s plans for future league games.
Whatever team Poyet puts out, he must give total respect to Kidderminster and not under-estimate them.
They beat Peterborough at home to reach round four and will come to the Stadium of Light with nothing to lose and everything to gain.
That’s what makes this tie dangerous, so Sunderland need to be as professional in their approach to this game as any other because anything but a win would be hugely embarrassing and can have a negative and damaging effect on the rest of the season.
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Borini: Sunderland aiming for a win not a draw against Manchester United
FABIO BORINI insists Sunderland are targeting victory at Old Trafford tomorrow, rather than hanging on for a draw.
Sunderland take a 2-1 advantage into their Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United after on-loan Liverpool forward Borini’s match-winning penalty from the first meeting between the sides a fortnight ago.
A draw in Manchester tomorrow night would be sufficient for Sunderland to secure a place in their first major cup final since 1992.
But despite Man United’s troubles this season, Borini (left) remains wary of the goal threat of the reigning Premier League champions and says the Black Cats must look to triumph in the second leg, rather than settling for a stalemate.
Borini told the Echo: “We’re not going there to lose, we’re going there to win.
“If you try to get a draw, then the first thing that comes to your mind is to lose and that will happen.
“We’re going there to win and to play our game.
“It’s Man United. If you sit back, sooner or later they will score. They’ve got great players.
“We have to play our way to Wembley.”
Borini has played a pivotal role in Sunderland’s cup run after he was on the scoresheet in the quarter final success against Chelsea and again in the semi-final first leg with Man United.
The Italian’s goal against Southampton on Saturday was his fourth in red and white, although the 22-year-old refuses to make public the target he has set himself for the season.
But Borini said it was important to keep Sunderland’s points tally ticking over prior to their Capital One Cup and FA Cup commitments, with so little separating the sides in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
“Yes I’ve set a goals target, but I’m not going to say it in the media!” he said. “I’m keeping that to myself and my mentor coach.
“It’s very important to not give points away.
“Saturday was a point that we have gained and it was an important performance to get back in the game.
“When you see how close the table is, you need to keep in contention and not lose games.
“Every point counts.
“Good results gives you confidence and we’ve got some consistency over recent weeks.”
Sunderland will be cheered on by almost 9,000 supporters at Old Trafford and Borini believes that could be crucial when Gus Poyet’s side attempt to contain the reigning Premier League champions.
“It’s very good to have that many fans there,” added the Italian international.
“To have 9,000 out of 75,000 is very important, especially when we’ve got that one goal advantage.
“You need the fans at hard moments and I’m sure there will be some at Old Trafford tomorrow, so hopefully they can help us.”
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I believe that the manager should have the final say
THE big news off the pitch last week was the departure of the club’s first ever Director of Football Roberto De Fanti.
His exit sparked a lot of questions, but the one most prominent in my mind was: Will anybody notice?
There was an interesting coincidence in the fact that Sunderland played Southampton at the weekend who had just got rid of their own big administrative figure, executive chairman Nicola Cortese.
But while Cortese was credited with being the mastermind behind Southampton’s revitalisation, we know little about De Fanti other than the fact that he never gave any Press interviews and was credited with being the man behind bringing in 14 new signings last summer.
Firstly, can I just say that I never want to see Sunderland sign 14 new players in a transfer window again.
I know it sounds exciting at the time when you’re hearing about one new signing coming in after another.
But trust me, as someone who has been in football dressing rooms for many years, it doesn’t work.
And in this particular case, if you take away the two loan signings from Premier League clubs – Ki Sung-Yueng and Fabio Borini, who we can agree are doing well – only one player out of the remaining 12 has nailed down a first team place.
And even that one player – Vito Mannone – only secured his spot after Keiren Westwood’s injury.
I don’t know if Sunderland will persist with the Director of Football model, but personally, I prefer the traditional situation where the manager has all the say in who comes in.
My view is that I trust a football manager far more than I would, an administrator.
If the director of football is little more than a well-paid gopher who does an important job of taking some of the pressure and responsibilities off a manager, I think that’s fine – player recruitment is a tough and arduous process.
But when these new positions start dictating who comes in too much, I think it becomes a case of the tail wagging the dog.
For me, the manager should always be the person making the key decisions on transfers.
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Sunderland’s precious point against Southampton may prove the difference
A DRAW against Southampton wasn’t what I was hoping for, but after seeing Sunderland outplayed for the vast majority of the game, we ended up with a point more than we deserved to get.
To come back from two goals down deserves credit, but Southampton have got to be wondering how they didn’t go home with all three points, as they dominated the game and had more than enough chances to put the game out of Sunderland’s reach.
Southampton impressed me.
They’re a seriously good team who play attractive football and for long periods Sunderland couldn’t get near them.
After last week’s uplifting 4-1 win at Fulham, I expected Sunderland to start quickly and put Southampton under pressure.
But the opposite happened and Southampton were two goals ahead before we had a shot on goal.
Somehow Sunderland got themselves back on level terms, but Southampton’s goalkeeper Artur Boruc will be disappointed with his efforts to stop both Sunderland’s goals, especially Adam Johnson’s equaliser which seemed to take him by surprise.
Johnson is in a purple patch at the moment, scoring and claiming an assist against the Saints, he’s writing his own headlines.
And he was Sunderland’s biggest danger and best outfield player on the day.
Sunderland’s top performer though was goalkeeper Vito Mannone who kept us in the game with a number of saves and when the home keeper is the star player, that tells its own story.
Gus Poyet made two changes from the team that beat Fulham in the previous game, bringing in Seb Larsson and Jozy Altidore, but both had games to forget and neither of them justified their selection.
Sunderland did not play well against Southampton and had to fight and scrap for a share of the spoils.
But it is never a bad sign when a team comes back from a two-goal deficit and the point gained could be huge at the end of the season.
Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic's claim for wrongful dismissal rejected
Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic has had his appeal against his dismissal against Chelsea rejected by an Independent Regulatory Commission, the Football Association has announced.
Therefore, the centre-half's three-match suspension commences with immediate effect, starting with the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Vidic was shown a straight red card for scything down Eden Hazard close to the end of United's 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Serbian will also have to sit out the Premier League visit of Cardiff and the trip to Stoke as part of his suspension.
His absence is a blow to David Moyes' struggling side, whose season suffered
another setback in their comprehensive defeat by the Blues, which left them 14 points off league leaders Arsenal and six off the Champions League places.
The 32-year-old will be missed by a defence which has looked particularly vulnerable in recent matches, having conceded nine goals in five games.
Rio Ferdinand could be out for anything up to another four weeks with the knee injury he picked up in the FA Cup third-round defeat by Swansea on January 5.
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Nemanja Vidic loses appeal over red card against Chelsea
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has been banned for three matches after losing his appeal against his red card against Chelsea, the Football Association has announced.
Vidic's claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by an independent regulatory commission on Tuesday.
He was sent off in United's 3-1 defeat on Sunday for a foul on Eden Hazard.
An FA statement read: "The player's three-match suspension commences with immediate effect."
The 32-year-old Red Devils captain will now miss the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Sunderland on Wednesday and Barclays Premier League games at home to Cardiff and away to Stoke.
His absence is a blow to David Moyes' struggling side, whose season suffered another setback in their comprehensive defeat by Chelsea, which left them 14 points off league leaders Arsenal and six off the Champions League places.
The Serbian will be missed by a defence which has looked particularly vulnerable in recent matches, having conceded nine goals in five games.
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Nemanja Vidic appeal rejected by Independent Commission
Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic has had his claim for wrongful dismissal rejected by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
Therefore, the player’s three-match suspension commences with immediate effect.
Vidic had received a red card for serious foul play in his side’s game against Chelsea on Sunday 19 January 2014.
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Nemanja Vidic's suspension stands after appeal is REJECTED
THE FA have upheld their three-match ban for Nemanja Vidic after the Manchester United defender saw his appeal for wrongful dismissal against Chelsea rejected.
Vidic was given a straight red towards the end of United's 3-1 defeat on Sunday when he lunged in on Eden Hazard.
The Serbian was gobsmacked at the time by the referee's decision and he his three-game ban still stands which will see him sit out of United's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at home to Sunderland.
An FA statement read: "Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic has had his claim for wrongful dismissal rejected by an Independent Regulatory Commission.
"Therefore, the player’s three-match suspension commences with immediate effect.
"Vidic had received a red card for serious foul play in his side’s game against Chelsea on Sunday 19 January 2014."
Transfer window watch: Sunderland set to step up pursuit of Bridcutt
Former Albion boss Gus Poyet is poised to step up his pursuit of Liam Bridcutt - by selling Lee Cattermole.
Cattermole is being linked with a move to Premier League rivals Stoke City, which could clear the way for Sunderland to increase their bid for Bridcutt.
Stoke are closing in fast on Cattermole for a transfer package of around £5 million, according to the Sentinel newspaper.
Cattermole occupies the defensive midfield role at the Stadium of Light earmarked by Poyet for Bridcutt.
The Seagulls rejected a £2 million bid for Bridcutt at the beginning of the January transfer window.
Chairman Tony Bloom is determined to keep hold of the player of the season for the last two years but Bridcutt has made clear his desire to leave Albion.
He had a transfer request rejected in the wake of Sunderland's offer and told the management staff he was not in the right frame of mind to play at Derby last Saturday after recovering from injury.
The view from Manchester: United MUST overcome mighty Sunderland if they're to stand any chance of stopping the Man City juggernaut
Where do you even start when discussing how vital a match tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg has become for Manchester United?
Do you analyse an awful start to this calendar year that has seen four defeats in five, with last weekend’s damaging loss at Stamford Bridge surely ending the club’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title?
Or the fact that this competition now represents United’s best hopes of silverware in David Moyes’ first season at the helm?
Oh. The continued lack of firepower in the absence of both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie probably deserves a mention, too.
Simply put, this has been a sobering season for everyone connected with the club. Recent news of an incredible swoop for Juan Mata aside, United have failed to strengthen a title-winning side and paid the price for it.
They’ve seen Old Trafford’s intimidating aura all but vanish and fallen so far off the Premier League pace that it would surely take a triple capitulation from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea for the reigning champions to have so much as a sniff of finishing in top spot.
Combine that with a limp third-round exit in the FA Cup at the hands of Swansea City and it’s not difficult to see why tonight’s second-leg against Sunderland, and the chance to reach a showpiece final in a season laced with such turmoil, becomes a must-win.
Of course, Gus Poyet’s side will not simply roll over and pass up such an opportunity themselves, and even if United do overturn that 2-1 deficit, the small matter of facing those dear, noisy neighbours comes to the fore.
Barring an extended blip of form away from the Etihad in the season’s early stages, City have been fantastic under Manuel Pellegrini; their new signings have bedded-in well, Sergio Aguero has been utterly lethal and the sheer attacking tenacity they possess has seen almost every visiting side that they’ve come across ripped apart.
United, on the other hand, have found things much more difficult this term, lacking leadership, creativity and inspiration.
Simply put, it’s not a prospective match that most Reds will expect to win. But it’s a derby that United simply have fight for.
The City juggernaut is in danger of laying waste to everything in its path this season, and talk of a quadruple, whilst premature, is far from unrealistc.
One season, as evidenced by City’s dramatic title victory in 2012, will not swing the momentum forever in their favour, but at present, United are certainly thoroughly eclipsed by Pellegrini’s side.
This potential final is a huge chance for Moyes and his players to make a statement: that they’re not the spent force some say they are, and that they can still compete with the country’s best sides.
The thought of allowing City such glory, especially in a derby game, should be all the impetus United require to produce the biggest and most significant display of their season so far.
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Limping in the league and out of the FA Cup, United MUST beat mighty Sunderland tonight or the gulf to City will widen
The League Cup used to be something of an inconvenience for Manchester United, a tinpot trophy to pick up or put down in those dark winter months when European dreams were taking shape and title charges gathered pace.
Sir Alex Ferguson won it on four occasions – including three times in five years between 2006-2010 – but its primary function was as a proving ground for his next generation of young stars.
On Wednesday night at Old Trafford, this much-maligned competition will take on far greater significance for Ferguson’s successor David Moyes and the ailing Barclays Premier League champions.
Out of the title race and out of the FA Cup in January, only the most optimistic United fan would tout them as serious Champions League contenders now.
The Capital One Cup looks to be as good as it gets, and to win it Moyes’s team must first of all overturn a 2-1 deficit against Sunderland from the first leg of their semi-final. After the disappointments suffered already this season, failure really isn’t an option.
If reaching the final seems well within United’s capabilities, however, stopping the Manchester City steamroller at Wembley is another matter altogether.
When the two teams met there in the FA Cup semi-final in 2011, United were the dominant force and City the rich, young upstarts snapping at their heels. Victory for Roberto Mancini’s side that day was monumental.
It not only set City on course for a first trophy in 35 years but also the Premier League title itself 12 months later.
Ferguson’s last stand saw United win it back, of course, but the power shift had already begun.
It has moved at such an alarming rate that United are in danger of being left behind by their rivals, just as Ferguson so ruthlessly knocked Liverpool off their perch in the early 90s.
If you had suggested to a Liverpool fan back then that they would still be waiting for their next title 24 years later, they would have thought you were mad.
Some are predicting that the Old Trafford empire will crumble in similar circumstances now. Others believe that reports of United’s demise are greatly exaggerated.
Either way, there is no doubt that a sudden gulf has opened up between the two Manchester clubs this season, with City taking brutal advantage of the post-Ferguson blues across town.
Their 4-1 win at the Etihad in September could have been even greater. Moyes’s side got off lightly. Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham have been hit for six by Manuel Pellegrini’s rampant team this season, Norwich for seven.
There may even be a few United fans who would take an aggregate defeat to Sunderland on the chin if it spared their club a Wembley humiliation at the hands of City.
It would certainly be an epic final, every bit as pivotal as that FA Cup showdown three years ago. A chance for City to rub United’s noses in it, or for the empire to strike back.
Ferguson needed a Carling Cup win in 2006 to soothe the disappointment of United failing to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in a decade or wrest the title back from Chelsea. It was United’s only silverware in 2010 as well.
But Moyes’s need is far greater now. The manager who has never won a trophy could not wish for a better time to break his duck – even if it is the League Cup.
Ferguson admitted as much back in October. ‘David must just try to maintain what we have done for the last 20-odd years,’ he said. ‘He shouldn’t try to do anything better or less. Keep the success going – it’s not easy to win a trophy in our league.
‘For David, winning a trophy would be an incredible achievement this year. It doesn’t matter what it is, whether it’s the League Cup, the FA Cup, the European Cup or the Premier League.’
And so it has proved. Who would have thought the League Cup would be so significant for Manchester United?
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Sunderland eye Celtic striker Georgios Samaras to help push for Premier League safety
The Greek forward is out of contract at Parkhead in the summer and could be available for around £2million
Sunderland are eyeing Celtic striker Georgios Samaras to help their push for Premier League safety.
The Greek international could be available for £2m, and might be an affordable option as boss Gus Poyet looks to add some more goals to his struggling side.
Poyet's trio of misfiring strikers - Steven Fletcher, Jozy Altidore and Fabio Borini - have only managed nine between them this season.
Sports Direct News suggest Samaras is the man in the frame to add more firepower to the Black Cats' front line.
Despite wanting him to remain north of the border the Hoops do not want to risk losing him for free in the summer and may cash in now.
Hull were interested but fresh from splashing £13m on Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, look to now be out of the market for a forward.
A more left-field destination for the 28-year-old could be Barcelona - if the fans get their wish anyway.
Bizarrely, Blaugrana supporters voted Samaras as the striker they would most like to come to the Nou Camp this month.
Fiorentina eyeing summer swoop for Sunderland midfielder
The Florence side are just three points off the top three in Serie A and are already planning next summer's business in the event that they qualify for the Champions League.
And they have set their sights on 18-cap Italy international Giaccherini, who could reassess his future if Sunderland succumb to relegation.
Sunderland are unwilling to entertain any offers for the former Juventus man this month.
Giaccherini arrived at the Stadium of Light in July in a £6.5m deal and has scored twice in 17 Premier League outings.
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Sunderland relaxed over speculation surrounding Danny Graham
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is content to sit and wait as Hull City try to offload Danny Graham, who is on loan from the Black Cats
Sunderland are taking a relaxed attitude to reports that Hull City are looking to offload on-loan striker Danny Graham.
Championship sides Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest have shown interest in taking the former Swansea man on loan, although the Trotters are understood to be the only club to have made a concrete offer.
Black Cats frontman Graham is on a season-long loan deal at the KC Stadium, and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has no intention of exercising his recall option in the January transfer window.
But Hull - who have signed strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long this month - have decided that the 28-year-old does not figure in their plans either, and are keen to move him on.
The only way they can do that is if they can find another club willing to take him, and then seek the agreement of both Graham and Sunderland.
Poyet said: “We are trying not to get too involved, because it is not really to do with us.
“It is a three-way thing, between Hull, whichever other club, and then we have to give our permission.
“It’s not as though we are looking to bring him back or anything.
“We are just standing back and letting things happen.
“If someone calls us about it, then we will get involved.”
Hull are currently paying Graham’s wages, and they will either have to find a club prepared to take over a Premier League salary - or else make up any shortfall, if a Championship side cannot pay the full amount. Either way, he remains off Sunderland’s wage bill for the rest of the season.
Graham has scored just one goal in 19 appearances for the Tigers this season. He has failed to score in 13 appearances for Sunderland since his £5m move from Swansea at the end of January last year.
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Reaching Wembley with Sunderland would mean as much to me as any fan - Gus Poyet
Gus Poyet insists he would get as big a kick out of taking Sunderland to Wembley as any Black Cats fan
Gus Poyet says reaching a Wembley final with Sunderland would mean as much to him as any fan.
Poyet’s side is just 90 minutes away from the Capital One Cup final, with the Black Cats preparing to take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Manchester United tonight.
The Uruguayan was a Wembley winner three times with Chelsea, scoring two goals in the FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle United in 2000 and then going on to lift the trophy, and also winning the Charity Shield in front of the Twin Towers the same year.
And he would love to lead Sunderland into their first cup final since 1992, and take the Black Cats to the new Wembley for the first time.
“I know how much it would mean to the Sunderland fans to get to Wembley,” he said.
“And to be honest, it would mean the same to me.
“I love that place.
“I love to be involved in finals, and I have great memories of it.
“The best feeling for a manager is to go there and lift a trophy, because then you become closer to the fans and to the club.”
A Ryan Giggs own-goal and a Fabio Borini penalty gave Sunderland victory in the first-leg lead, with Nemanja Vidic pulling a goal back for the Red Devils – although the United skipper will sit out tonight’s game as he starts a three-game ban after being sent-off against Chelsea on Sunday.
Sunderland go into the game having lost just one of their last ten games in all competitions, while Man U have lost four of their last five.
And with all the scrutiny on new United boss David Moyes as his side’s title defence has effectively come to an end before the end of January, Poyet believes this is a good time to go to Old Trafford.
He said “We have to be honest, this is not a normal situation we would have (going to Old Trafford).
“That’s true. At the same time, they are in a situation where they need to get through and that will see them show extra character and commitment.
“But we have to deal with that. It’s part of the game.
“We need to start well, be solid, be good on the ball, and make sure we don’t give anything away cheaply.
“That’s what you have to do to beat a time like Man U.”
Poyet says striker Steven Fletcher is fit to feature after feeling no reaction to the Achilles injury he carried during his 20-minute substitute appearance against Southampton at the weekend.
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Transfer window: Port Vale sign Sunderland's Billy Knott
Port Vale have signed Sunderland midfielder Billy Knott on loan for the rest of the season, following his return from Wycombe Wanderers.
The 21-year-old played 23 games for League Two side Wycombe, scoring twice, after being loaned out in August, only to be recalled to Wearside last week.
But he has now been allowed out on loan again by Sunderland, stepping up another level to League One.
Knott is not be eligible to play in the FA Cup against Brighton this weekend.
He played in both games of Wycombe's first-round replay win at Crewe in November.
This is Canvey Island-born Knott's fourth loan move from the Stadium of Light, having also been at AFC Wimbledon and Woking, for whom he scored eight times in 20 Conference Premier appearances.
Sunderland have had six different men picking the team - Steve Bruce, Martin O'Neill, Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet, as well as caretaker bosses Eric Black and Kevin Ball - since Knott signed in January 2011 after being released by Chelsea.
But he has made just one solitary Sunderland appearance, Di Canio bringing him on against Tottenham as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on the final day of last season.
Billy Knott was on West Ham United's books as a youngster before joining Chelsea
Name:
Anonymous2014-01-22 13:51
Sunderland starting XI Capital One Cup semi-final second leg (22/01/2014)
Manchester United 2 Sunderland 1 aet (agg 3-3): match report
Read a full match report of the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on Wednesday Jan 22 2014.
Vito Mannone saved Rafael’s penalty to send Sunderland through to the Capital One Cup final where they face Manchester City at Wembley on March 2. It was a huge blow for David Moyes and Manchester United, a blow softened by the £37m arrival of Juan Mata.
A dramatic tie had been taken to penalties after Javier Hernandez pounced in Fergie time. Phil Bardsley, Phil Bardsley, six years to the day he left Manchester United, thought he had won it for Sunderland but then Hernandez swept in Adnan Junuzaj’s cross.
The shoot-out was so tense. Craig Gardner wasted Sunderland’s first, sending his kick well over. Danny Welbeck stepped up, but was also off-target, blasting his wide. Steven Fletcher’s low strike was then pushed away by David De Gea. United fans shouted relief and joy when Darren Fletcher calmly drove his penalty in.
The pressure was now on Marcos Alonso, who curled his kick past De Gea. Adnan Januzaj placed the ball down, looked at Vito Mannone, lifted some grass from his boot, and was promptly denied by Mannone, who guessed right in every sense. Ki Sung-yueng powered his penalty past De Gea, bringing Phil Jones to the spot. The England international lifted it over the bar.
Surely Adam Johnson would seal a final against his old team but De Gea saved well. Rafael still had to score but Mannone saved, causing a huge wave of emotion to come down from the Sunderland fans.
Earlier Jonny Evans exploited rare hesitant Sunderland defending to head this tie into extra time. The Manchester United centre-half had escaped from his marker, John O’Shea, formerly of this parish, before heading into the net.
Their mood had been lifted by news seeping through that Juan Mata was arriving from Chelsea for £37 million, and would be having a medical today. United had their chances to win the game during normal time but Adnan Januzaj placed his shots wide.
Sunderland also had their chances, with Adam Johnson and Borini a threat, as their huge throng of support roared them on.
Evans’s goal had calmed United in the first half, bringing more noise thudding through Old Trafford. The stadium had already been buzzing, the noise levels set by the 9,000 Sunderland fans who had driven themselves the 150 miles or climbed into the 130 coaches laid on from the Stadium of Light by the club.
Sunderland’s owner, Ellis Short, looked admiringly towards the impassioned sections of support for his club. At a time when atmosphere in English grounds is being debated, the argument for subsidised and expanded away allocations was confirmed here.
United fans themselves were lifted by the thought of Mata heading north from London. The Capital One indeed. They need that spark for the team and also to reinvigorate the club. Mata is also a fine ambassador who will generate fortunes for the club off the field.
The prospect of Mata linking up with Januzaj, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie was a thrilling one for United fans, although Moyes will soon appreciate that Mata is best as a No10, pulling the strings, operating in an area beloved by Rooney.
The playmaking Spaniard would also help Moyes to attract even more stellar talent. Rooney and Van Persie were missing last night, not even fit enough to make the bench.
With United trailing from the first leg, Moyes partnered Javier Hernández and Danny Welbeck in attack, although the Englishman was slightly withdrawn at times. Shinji Kagawa drifted in from the left, soon taking up a more permanent station there with Welbeck going wide. On the flank while Januzaj took one look at the tall Sunderland right-back Marcos Alonso, and started running at him, soon beating him for pace and then drawing a foul.
Sunderland were not sitting deep and defending in depth. They pass so much more under Gus Poyet then under Paolo di Canio. Ki Sung-yeung was in the centre, setting the tempo, spreading the ball wide to Fabio Borini or right to Adam Johnson. Serenaded as a “City reject”, Johnson was frequently engaged in making life uncomfortably for Alex Buttner.
One of Johnson’s passes picked out Borini, who waited for the ball to drop and then sent a thumping half-volley just over David de Gea’s bar. Borini was also shuttling back to help Alonso out. When Januzaj nutmegged Alonso, Borini anticipated well to cover back and block from Rafael.
With eight minutes remaining of the first half, United levelled the tie on aggregate. Januzaj released Kagawa who stood the ball up to the far post. Darren Fletcher, United’s captain, hit the post. Welbeck’s follow-up effort was saved by Vito Mannone and eventually cleared for a corner.
Januzaj took charge, curling the ball in. Welbeck made good contact, athletically turning the ball into the six-yard box where Evans flicked his header unerringly past Mannone. Evans was unmarked because he had lost John O’Shea and because Sunderland’s players had pushed up - all except Borini, who played Evans onside.
Relief for United was met with defiance from Sunderland. Poyet’s side almost restored their aggregate lead shortly before half-time. Johnson delivered a corner met strongly by Wes Brown but Buttner headed clear. Borini, formerly of Liverpool, continued to cause United problems and Chris Smalling’s strong tackle brought cheers from the home fans.
United chased the second. Januzaj sent a free-kick over, Rafael shot over left-footed before Januzaj placed a low shot wide. Sunderland fought back, the lively Borini sending in a strong shot blocked by Smalling.
With Mata arriving today for his medical, Kagawa’s hopes of more football look increasingly limited. On the hour, the Japanese international was taken off by Moyes for Antonio Valencia with Januzaj switching left. The referee Lee Mason had been letting the game but finally ran out of patience with Borini, who had just caught Evans, and booked the Sunderland attacker under a totting-up process.
Januzaj twice had chances to prevent extra time midway through the second half. Collecting Michael Carrick’s pass, Januzaj drove the ball into the hoardings.
Valencia then shrugged off Steven Fletcher’s challenge on the right, before cutting inside and stroking the ball across to Januzaj. The ball bounced slightly awkwardly, and Januzaj’s shot skewed wide. United’s No 44 then let fly with a shot that deflected behind. He took the corner himself, sending in a ball met by Welbeck but Mannone saved.
After 76 minutes, Sunderland screamed for sanction to be taken against Smalling, who had grabbed Fletcher as he threatened to run past him and through on goal. Sunderland simply channelled their frustration into more attacks. Alonso shot wide from a tight angle.
Johnson brought a low save from De Gea. United almost won the tie in normal time when Hernández sped through but was brought down by O’Shea. Januzaj took the free-kick delicately, dinking it over the wall but Mannone saved, sending the game into extra time.
Police begin derby day operation for Newcastle vs Sunderland
POLICE plans are under way to manage the thousands of Sunderland fans heading to Tyneside for next month’s derby.
With a capacity crowd expected at St James’s Park, officers are urging visiting supporters to plan the journeys well in advance.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 12.45pm on Saturday, February 1, and police are keen to prevent a repeat of the problems which marred the Black Cats’ last visit to the ground when Newcastle supporters went on the rampage.
Northumbria Police say they will be drafting in extra police officers based at key points around Newcastle and Sunderland, including the transport infrastructure, before, during and after the game.
Roads in Newcastle city centre are expected to be extremely busy and fans are being advised to plan their travel in advance and make the most of free coach travel.
The coaches leave the Stadium of Light at 10.30am from the Green Car Park area next to the ticket office.
There will also be direct Metro services for Sunderland supporters on match day. There will be two Metros travelling direct from Sunderland station to Central Station in Newcastle. They will leave at 10.43am and 10.55am.
For the return journey, there are two Metros running direct from Central Station to Sunderland. They are at 3.45pm and 3.57pm.
Chief Superintendent Steve Neill, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our role is to help supporters enjoy themselves and ensure the safety of all those attending.”
THE task facing Gus Poyet and his team is monumental.
Recent wins in the FA and Capital One Cup (including last night’s dramatic victory over Manchester United) have helped rebuild confidence, along with a strong come-back against Southampton at the weekend, but the road ahead is tough, very tough.
Competing on three fronts is never easy and before the Black Cats get back to league business they’ve had last night’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester United, and now must welcome Kidderminster to the Stadium Of Light on Saturday.
By the time the game against fellow strugglers Stoke comes around, Poyet’s side will need to be high in confidence if they are to survive.
Their run of games from February until the end of the season doesn’t make for good reading and it might just be one of the hardest run-ins about.
The first match in February is the Tyne-Wear derby, a massive game regardless of the connotations. Following that are Man City and Arsenal as well as a difficult start to March against West Brom and then Liverpool.
Three potentially massive games against Crystal Palace, Norwich and West Ham come after. The point here is that Sunderland literally have no ‘easy’ games between now and the end of the season.
Poyet’s squad will have to be on top form and the addition of centre-back Santiago Vergini could help bolster the back line, but goal scoring is the main issue at the Stadium of Light.
The top league goal scorer at the club is Adam Johnson with five goals and Steven Fletcher weighs in with an unimpressive three. The poorest of the bunch, Jozy Altidore has only scored once in the league this season. With time running out, Poyet needs to bring in some additional fire power.
A major factor in Sunderland’s survival will be their home form. Having secured only two home wins, this statistic needs to go up to at least ten come the end of the season and that would require eight wins from eight home games.
Whilst the win total on the road is exactly the same, it is a big ask to expect anything from Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Man Utd, especially when they are all away from home.
The popular football cliche of ‘every game is a cup-final’ has never been as true as it is for Sunderland at this moment in time. If they aren’t facing Champions League contenders, then it’s relegation six-pointers.
As it stands, Sunderland sit six-points off of Aston Villa in 11th, which in itself is incredible and should give Poyet and his men the belief that they can do it.
Win all the home games, which is doable and the points total will sit on 39. Throw in an away win against Norwich for good measure and it’s 42 points. In a league this tight, 42 points could just be enough to survive.
If they slip up in any of these games, however, not only will their relegation rivals get in front of them, but they will then require points from teams at the top of the table away from home.
Bringing in a striker that will score goals is obviously easier said than done, but something needs to happen. Maybe Connor Wickham could come back from Sheffield Wednesday and pitch in with a few?
The first test will be against Stoke at the Stadium of Light on January 29th, a game that could kick-start the push for survival.
Sunderland ace Wes Brown can't believe the Black Cats have made it to Wembley
WES BROWN reckons if anyone had told him a few months ago he would be heading for Wembley, he’d have called for the men in white coasts.
At about 9.10pm on August 27, the odds on the Black Cats playing in the Capital One Cup final were probably the equivalent of little green men being found on the moon.
Somehow, the players fashioned a stunning comeback from 2-0 down against League One MK Dons, scoring four times late on to avoid an embarrassing upset.
By the time Peterborough arrived on Wearside in the third round, Paolo Di Canio was gone while cup glory was not on new boss Gus Poyet’s agenda when he arrived a week later.
Wednesday’s penalty shootout win at Manchester United put Sunderland into the first major cup final since 1992.
And Brown said: “If you’d asked back in September if there was a chance of us being in a final, nobody would have said yes.
“But we’ve beaten some good teams along the way in Southampton, Chelsea and now United.
“Now we’ve got City in the final and it’s game on. We’ll be going to Wembley looking to win the cup.”
The odds are stacked against Sunderland beating Manchester City on March 2 - but they have been for months.
Under Poyet, however, there’s a feeling that these days, anything is possible.
Brown added: “The lads are buzzing and so too are our supporters.
“Gus has been brilliant. He is on everyone’s side. He helps everyone.
“We know what he wants and that’s what we try to do.
“He changes things at times to see how we react to it and we reacted brilliantly against United.”
Poyet won cup finals as a player with Chelsea and as a coach at Tottenham before guiding Brighton to promotion during his first managerial stint.
He admits he’s been lucky throughout his career though believes he has earned that good fortune.
“You need a bit of luck but I didn’t play football at the top level because I was lucky,” he said.
“I wasn’t the quickest but I was a little bit more intelligent than most and I was not the most skilful but I had an ability to see things happen before a lot of opponents.
“We will see what happens to me as a manager. I believe in luck but you have to help get it. And you cannot buy it.”
“If you’d asked back in September if there was a chance of us being in a final, nobody would have said yes”
Wes Brown
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Sunderland release Capital One Cup Final ticket information
SUNDERLAND fans will be cheering The Lads on from the east end of Wembley Stadium at the cup final.
Sunderland AFC has now confirmed ticket information for the Capital One Cup Final, which will kick off at 2pm on March 2.
The club said there will be a phased sale of tickets for the season ticket holders.
PHASE ONE
SAFC 2013-14 season card holders, with one or more loyalty point (i.e. have attended a minimum of one away game in the last three seasons) can purchase ONE ticket from 9:00am, Monday 3rd February until 12noon, Saturday 8th February. All season card holders in this category are guaranteed to receive a ticket and are strongly advised to use the full week available to secure their seat in order to avoid busy periods.
PHASE TWO
All SAFC 2013-14 season card holders who have not applied in Phase One can apply for ONE ticket per season card, from 9:00am, Monday 10th February until 12noon, Saturday 15th February.
Again, all season card holders in this category are guaranteed to receive a ticket and are strongly advised to use the full week available to secure their seat in order to avoid busy periods.
Should any tickets remain after these two season card holder priority periods, a further announcement will be made.
PRICES
Adults: £100/ £90/ £72/ £56/ £40
Under 16s: £50/ £45/ £36/ £28/ £20
Over 65s: £50/ £45/ £36/ £28/ £20
The club will aim to allocate supporters price preference at point of sale.
This however is not guaranteed and the next available price will then be allocated. Once a ticket has been sold it cannot be upgraded or downgraded in category.
TICKET APPLICATION PROCESS
Season card holders who meet the criteria, can apply either in-person at the Stadium of Light ticket office or by telephone, on the 24 hour hotline number, 0871 911 1973. Applications cannot be made online for this fixture.
Supporters must have their customer number available when purchasing tickets. Applications cannot be processed without this number.
TICKETS FOR DISABLED & VISUALLY IMPAIRED PATRONS
Tickets for disabled and visually impaired patrons can be purchased under the same schedule as above.
The price charged to wheelchair patrons is equivalent to the relevant price for the area in which they’re situated, with their personal assistant (where required) gaining access free of charge.
Concession rates will apply across all of these tickets for Junior Wheelchair patrons, 16 years of age and under, over 65s and ambulant patrons.
The Stadium of Light ticket office is open Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:30pm and Saturday’s from 10:00am - 1:00pm or until kick off on home match days.
Telephone: 0871 911 1973 (24 hour service)
Email: ticket.office@safc.com (for general enquiries)
Sunderland sing praises of Vito Mannone after goalkeeper's heroics against Manchester United
Gus Poyet reveals Capital One Cup finalists sang goalkeeper's name when he entered dressing room after penalty shoot-out display
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone was given a singing ovation by his team-mates and coaches after penalty shoot-out saves from Adnan Januzaj and Rafael secured the club’s first major final for 22 years.
Mannone, a £1.5 million signing from Arsenal, denied the two Manchester United players from 12 yards as Gus Poyet’s team overcame the champions to book a Capital One Cup final clash against Manchester City at Wembley on March 2.
Poyet, who has transformed Sunderland’s fortunes since succeeding the sacked Paolo Di Canio in September, admitted that the Italian goalkeeper was cheered into the dressing room after emulating the heroics of 1973 FA Cup final hero Jim Montgomery.
“As a player Vito had not been playing for a while, but he has been fantastic for us since arriving,” Poyet said. “The whole squad and staff started singing his name when he walked into the dressing room. He was half happy and half embarrassed because it was a special night for him.”
Phil Bardsley’s 119th-minute goal against his former club appeared to put Sunderland in the final before Javier Hernández’s strike 60 seconds later took the game to penalties. “I don’t remember a game like that as a player or a manager,” Poyet said.
“When you score in the last minute you always get through, then if you miss your first two penalties shoot-outs you don’t expect to win the game. But the players have been getting better and better and that was the difference. I was very proud and even if we had gone out, I would have been proud because I felt it was my team going out there, trying their hardest to put Manchester United on the back foot.
“It was difficult to pick them up for the penalties, but it was a great night for a group of players who ran into the ground.
“For the final we need to be brave and have a good day. They
have very good players but if you want to win something you need to be the best. In order to win things you need to play the best and beat them. What a task that will be at Wembley! I believe in luck, but you have to earn it."
Premier League - Match facts: Sunderland v Stoke City
Facts and figures ahead of the Premier League clash between Sunderland and Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have conceded five own goals this season, more than any other side in the Barclays Premier League.
Stoke have the worst away record in the Barclays Premier League this season with just five points from 11 games and a goal difference of -16.
There have been red cards in three of the last four Barclays Premier League meetings between Sunderland and Stoke.
There have been just five goals scored in the last four Premier League games between Stoke and Sunderland.
Adam Johnson has scored four goals in his last two Premier League appearances.
Johnson has scored or assisted each of Sunderland’s last six Premier League goals.
27 different players have started a Premier League game for the Black Cats this season; no side has given more players a start in 2013/14.
Stoke have won 61% of their aerial duels this season, by some way the highest proportion in the top-flight.
Half of the 20 Scottish goals scored in the Premier League have come from Sunderland and Stoke (five each).
Sunderland have picked up 1.1 points per game in the matches (12 games) Lee Cattermole has started this season but only 0.5 in those he hasn’t (10 games).
Buoyed by their midweek penalty shootout victory against Manchester United to reach the Capital One Cup final, Sunderland will be aiming to avoid a potential banana skin when they host non-league Kidderminster, while the Harriers will be hoping to take inspiration from Sunderland’s underdog triumph, and replicate those cup heroics.
However, Kidderminster are no strangers to this stage of the competition, and will be vying for a place in the Fifth Round for a record second time for a non-league club. The last time they reached the round was in 1994, losing to West Ham.
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3.00 pm
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This fixture marks a historical moment as it will be the first time these sides have ever played each other.
Sunderland have won the FA Cup twice in the history of the competition, in 1937 and 1973.
There are 79 places between the two clubs in English football's league ladders.
Sunderland have won all five of their home games in cup competitions this season (in FA Cup and Capital One Cup).