Safc vs Burnley review

By Scott Kay
April 28 2007

A review of the vital penultimate championship game between sunderland and burnley on friday 27th april. Its a must win for Keane-o's men as they look to finish the season on a high in a promotion position.

Wow! This game has everything. 3 penalties, bad referee decisions, 2 of the best goals you will ever see, 45000 screaming mackems. What a night! Sunderland started the first 20 minutes very well, playing very attacking with anthony stokes and dean whitehead on fantastic form battling hard and showing class in midfield. The first big chance of the game fell to carlos edwards but well done to the keeper he came out fast and spread his body to make a good save. For sunderlands first goal connolly whipped a great cross in between to defenders and Murphy got ahead of the burnley defenders to slot it past the keeper to make it 1-0. Just a few minutes later sunderland were awarded a penalty what to be honest was a discraceful decision by the ref. Connolly missed which was probably fair because it was a poor decision. Sunderland began to regret the penalty miss as 10 minutes before half time Burnley were awarded a penalty which was an even worse decision, but ex sunderland striker Andy Gray made no mistake in slotting it past darren ward. 1-1. I gotta say all my respect has gone for andy gray, before the match i applauded andy gray as it is always a good sign of respect to welcome back your ex players. But andy gray responded to this by celebrating his goal towards the sunderland fans, this didnt go down well and it wasnt very respectful of the burnley man. Second half started the same as the first, sunderland came out firing and were the best team by far. But a moment of magic put sunderland 2-1 behind. Fair play to the Sunderland fans they stuck behind the lads all the way. Withing 10 minutes later liam miller sprayed a fantastic cross field ball to edwards which was took down delightfully, edwards skipped past the keeper and penalty. Im proud of connolly for stepping up for the second penalty after missing his first, takes some guts to do that so well done connors. 2-2! The place was mad at this point. Keane-o made some inspirational subs, leadbitter and hysen came on. Edwards recieved the ball 30 yards out and struck the sweetest shot i have ever seen, i was directly in line with it and it was simply magnicifent. Best goal i have ever seen at sunderland, this made it 3-2 to sunderland with 10 minutes left. Sunderland ended the game of a high with edward, john and murphy all missing chances by inches. Fans stayed back after the match and cheered the lads on, its been a fantastic season and the lads deserved every bit of applause. It does look quite bad for sunderland making it so tough, but to be honest sunderland nearly lost this game by a bit of bad luck (bad decision by ref) and a bit of magic (2nd goal by wade elliott) so theres nothing to be mad at with the lads.

Ratings:

Ward: 9 - Very solid, commanded the box great, only had to do 2 things and that was pick the ball out the net twice, both of them was unlucky. And the penalty shouldnt have been so you cant blame him for that.

Simpson: 9 - Fantastic from the lad, very solid at right back.

Nyron: 9 - As solid as ever, no mistakes in the whole game, distribution was great, just one nervous moment with bad communication with ward but nyron took no risks and just cleared it.

Evans: 9 - Another great performance, same as nyron, fantasticaly solid at the back.

Collins: 8 - Hes revived his season, being booed last season and the start of this 1 well done to the lad for coming back and playing at a top level.

Edwards: 10 - This man has everything, created many chances, very comfortably on the ball and he scored the best goal ive ever seen.

Whitehead: 9 - Best match hes played for ages, his heart was in the game, sprinting into every tackle, he wore the captains armband with pride!

L Miller: 8 - Very solid performance from miller, a few very good passes and tackles in CM.

Stokes: 9 first half, 7 2nd half. He started off very well but struggled to get into the game second half.

Connolly: 8 - Good performance, involved in 2 of the goals and fair play to the lad for stepping up to take the second penalty after missing his first.

Murphy: 7 - Same as always, does nothing special all game but comes up with the vital goals.