Jermain Defoe pounced to nick three points for Sunderland,who produced a defensive performance that will give Sam Allardyce the belief he can maintain the club in the Premier League
10.01pm GMTWell that was an expert defensive performance from Sunderland. It was the kind of solid display that Allardyce can guarantee you. Are you watching Villa? For all of Palace’s technical quality Sunderland were just too well organised for them. For every Bolasie and Zaha flick and trick there was a block tackle and stern shoulder from O’Shea, Kaboul, or Van Aanholt etc. Goals may be at a premium for Sunderland but with defensive displays like that they’ll pick up vital points. Survival looks to be a more tangible target now. Allardyces pre-match tomfoolery in which he announced he’d be playing a flat back four may not have fooled Pardew,who expected five at the back, but the indefatigable running dfrom Van Aanholt and Jones actually gave Sunderland a shrimp more threat on the counterattack than he might have imagined. Scott Dann was the hero last time out, and when Palace beat Liverpool at Anfield. He’s the villain tonight after the mix-up at the back. Such is life. Thanks for your emails. Bye. Related: Scott Dann’s error gifts Sunderland victory over Crystal Palace 9.54pm GMTCabaye curls the free-kick around the wall and into … the side netting. And that’s that. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com