Lads win it scandal-free

A sex-pest free Sunderland made it 6 games unbeaten with a solid 2-1 win over Mike ‘chill pussycat’ Newell’s Luton side.

Goals from a rejuvenated Daryl Murphy and David Connolly were enough to win the game after going behind in only the fifth minute, as Sunderland continued their tradition this season of only winning by a solitary, arse-twitching goal.

Dean Morgan had earlier put Luton Town ahead after what was seemingly Darren Ward’s first mistake as a Sunderland goalkeeper. Not knowing of Wardy’s bout of flu, and having not heard the team read out, it would be several more minutes before I, and several around me, realised that it was actually new signing Martin Fulop who had made the error.

Mis-reading a cross that was only half cleared by Varga, Fulop did not recover quick enough as Morgan fired in an empty net from 12 yards. Bearing in mind Fulop comes highly rated, this and several other dodgy moments will have to be put down nerves.

But it’s fair to say this goal would not have been conceded under the ever-solid Darren Ward, who will expect to be recalled away at Burnley after several doses of Calpol this week.

Sunderland hit back only four minutes later, when a dogged Darly Murphy dispossesed Barnett and fired past Dien Kiely, who then went on to spit out his dummy, feeling, somewhat rightly, that big Murph had handled on his quest to goal. He’s probably still a bit miffed that David James not only nicked his spot at Portsmouth, but now has better hair than him too.

Luton nearly regained the lead in the 19th minute when Stan Varga, who it’s fair to say had a game that should have been accompanied to a Benny Hill theme tune, decided to leave a long ball drift over his head, allowing Rowan Vine a clear route to goal. Thankfully for big Stan, Vine clipped the ball just wide of the post.

But Sunderland posed a constant threat to Luton, and having reverted back to 4-4-2 for this game looked much more comfortable in several key areas.

In Kavanagh and Miller, you’ll find it hard to find a more solid and commanding midfield pairing, in turn giving Sunderland more width with Elliot and Wallace hugging the touch lines. But most significantly, Daryl Murphy and David Connolly looked well suited together as a little and large strikeforce that has always been most effective on Wearside.

Both were a constant menace to Luton and Murphy in particular could have had several goals. His powerful drive in the 18th minute could only be spilled by Kiely, who then saved well from the resulting follow-up from Connolly.

The little Irishman nearly put Sunderland ahead on the stroke of half time as he latched on to a short back pass, only to once again be denied by the loan stopper.

But Connolly would not be denied in the 53rd minute, when he turned superbly on recieving the ball from Elliot, and cracked a super left foot strike to put Sunderland 2-1 up.

As usual, Sunderland looked to increase their lead and played some cracking stuff, only to be thwarted time after time by Dean Kiely.

And so, ever too predictably, a nervous finale was set up, that was not helped by some decidely dodgy decisions by the ref, who seemed increasingly keen to award Luton dangerous corners and throw-ins.

But, despite Big Stan’s efforts to the contrary, Sunderland survived and on we march, still in the no-great-shakes position of 12th, but crucially only 3 points from 6th.