Mannone Is Gus Poyet’s Hero

Vito Mannone’s penalty saves didn’t go unnoticed by Sunderland boss Gus Poyet who reserved special praise for the goalkeeper after last night’s league cup semi final.

The two sides had to be separated by spot kicks after a frantic ending to the game saw Sunderland go in front on aggregate with a minute to go, only for Henandez to pull the sides level once again with virtually the last kick of the game.

A poor display by the penalty takers saw Sunderland win the game 2-1 in penalties with Mannone saving an effort from Adnan Januzaj and then the final kick of the night from Rafael.

Poyet said to reporters: “I don`t remember another game like this one, being involved as a player or anything.

“Why? Because normally, when you score in the last minute or so you don`t expect to then concede within one or two minutes, and then if you miss the first two penalties, you don`t expect to win the game either.

“How we did it? I think we need to ask Vito Mannone – I think he can personally answer that because he has been getting better and better and he was probably the difference between the two teams.”

Sunderland are now back at Wembley for the first time since 1992