Allardyce Takes Revenge As Sunderland's Hot Streak is Iced
Sam Allardyce was satisfied with a clean sheet as Blackburn took an away a draw from SunderlandSam Allardyce admits to being a bit miffed that Sunderland did not even bother to speak to him about the vacancy created by Roy Keane's resignation but Blackburn Rovers' new manager exerted a small measure of revenge here.
Before kick-off that job was Ricky Sbragia's to lose and it still remains within the Sunderland caretaker manager's grasp, yet Allardyce's relegation-threatened team asked some awkward questions and could easily have departed victorious. Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, used the match program to offer an ode to his caretaker while revealing that no one has been interviewed for the post. Interestingly Quinn also made a point of praising the contribution of Bill Beswick, a controversial figure in his former guise as Middlesbrough's psychologist, who has, in the chairman's words, been "a big help to Ricky".
Djibril Cissé boasts manifold strengths but the striker – sporting a stripe of lime-green hair – could do with Beswick re-programming his mind in a manner which ensures he does not get caught offside as frequently as yesterday. Had Cissé timed his runs more cleverly, Sunderland might have been ahead at the interval. Indeed, with Sbragia's side enjoying the better first-half chances, an anxious-looking Allardyce was left chewing gum ever more manically.
The power balance shifted markedly during the second period, though, when, despite much intelligent prompting from Andy Reid, Sunderland's lack of natural width started to tell and Blackburn's training-ground choreography began paying off. Marton Fulop – newly assured after looking a bag of nerves under Keane's management – did well to palm Morten Gamst Pedersen's beautifully whipped-in free-kick on to a post having earlier seen a Chris Samba "goal" rightly disallowed for handball. Fulop later saved superbly from Keith Andrews after a slick one-two.
Allardyce had cause to kick the advertising hoardings in the 90th minute. Jason Roberts, having outstripped Anton Ferdinand, was undone by the combination of a divot and Nyron Nosworthy's distracting late appearance and side-footed wide with the goal gaping at his mercy.
"I'm disappointed not to have won after the second-half performance," said Allardyce. "But this clean sheet is a good basis for helping us win our relegation fight."
Sbragia knew he had enjoyed a lucky escape. "Thank God Roberts missed the target," he said.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Prodigal Richardson Raises Spirits at Sunderland With a New Desire
- Man Utd 1-0 Sunderland
- Sunderland Have Signed Versatile Reading Full-back Greg Halford
- Hands Off Diouf and Chimbonda, Warns Sunderland Manager
- Arteta Makes Sunderland Pay for Ignoring Sbragia's Plan
- Sunderland Appoint Sbragia As Manager
- Sbragia Has Two Games to Make Sunderland Job His Own
- Sunderland Revel in Revival Under Sbragia With Impressive Win at Hull
- Sbragia in Two Minds About Taking Sunderland Job, If Offered
- Sbragia Steps Comfortably Into Leadership Role As Sunderland Shut Down West Brom
- Ally Mccoist Linked to Sunderland Managerial Move
- Who's Who in the Sunderland Boardroom
- Keane Gets Sunderland Apology and Vows to Return
- Sunderland Launch Into Life After Keane With a Wet Blanket
- Withdrawn and Isolated, Keane Quits Sunderland By Text Message
- Was Keane Just a Train Wreck Waiting to Happen at Sunderland?
- Keane Parts Company With Sunderland, Claim Reports
- Keane Must Curb Self-destruct Habit to Revive Sunderland
- Sunderland's Chopra Returns to Cardiff on Loan
- No Substitute for Sentiment As Leadbitter's Sweet Celebration is Dedicated to His Father