Where are they now? 2014 cup final team
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The 2016 Capital One Cup final takes place on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester City – the latter of which beat Sunderland in the 2014 final.
What a weekend that was with Red and White littering London. The Black Cats got off to a dream start when Fabio Borini fired past Costel Pantilimon after just 10 minutes, but a second half rally by City broke the hearts of the Wearside faithful.
Two years on from a valiant defeat, we look back at where the cup final team have ended up.
Vito Mannone
The cup final took place on Vito’s 26th birthday, but he didn’t get his ideal present.
Mannone was dropped midway through the following season after two awful clangers, but has fought his way back into the Sunderland side and has been back to his best recently.
Phil Bardsley
Excluding Di Canio’s reign, Bardo was one of the first names on the team sheet in his five-and-a-half season stay on Wearside and it was his strike in the semi-final that helped Sunderland progress to Wembley.
The Scotland international made 200 appearances for the Lads in all competitions but departed to Stoke on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract in 2014. He has become a bit-part player in Mark Hughes’ side.
John O'Shea
“Sheasy” has been a regular in the Sunderland side since his arrival from Man United in 2011. Now captain, he is usually dependable and provides valuable experience at the back.
O’Shea and Kone have formed an excellent partnership in their first few games together, but the Irishman is 35 in April and must surely be relegated to a role as club captain soon.
Wes Brown
Brown followed his Manchester United teammate John O’Shea to Sunderland in the same transfer window, but has made almost 60 less appearances for the Black Cats due to injury.
He was a fantastic player at his best, but age is catching up with the ex-England international and he will be retiring sooner rather than later.
Marcos Alonso
Despite only being at Sunderland on a sixth-month loan deal, Spaniard Alonso quickly became a Wearside favourite after putting in a Man of the Match display on his début – the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester United.
The Black Cats tried hard to make the loan a permanent deal in the summer of 2014, but were out-priced by Fiorentina where he is now a regular starter.
Sebastian Larsson
Larsson arrived at Sunderland on a free transfer in 2011 and has since made over 170 appearances for the Black Cats – scoring 14 goals.
He may not have pace but his passion and solidity is very useful in midfield, as well as his ability to play on the right wing or at right back.
He has been ruled out with injury for weeks, but is available for contention once again and will more than likely be put straight into the 18 man squad against West Ham.
Lee Cattermole
It feels as though Cattermole has been around forever, doesn’t it?
Despite him still only being 27, he is the vice-captain of Sunderland but has recently lost his form. Hopefully, the break in Dubai will help him as he recently signed a six-year contract with the club.
Jack Colback
Judas, sorry, Jack Colback – seen here scoring against Newcastle – came through the Sunderland academy but defected to the Magpies at the end of the 2013-14 season, citing a desire to move on from a relegation battle every season.
Three consecutive derby defeats later, Ginger Jack finds himself one point above his former club – in the relegation zone.
Ki Sung-yueng
Ki was a valuable midfielder in his season-long loan after falling out of favour under then Swansea manager Michael Laudrup.
Now back at the Swans, he scored against the Black Cats at the Liberty Stadium in February 2015 and is cemented in the Welsh side’s starting 11.
Adam Johnson
I think we’re well aware of what’s happening with Johnson.
Fabio Borini
Borini was a revelation during his initial loan spell at Sunderland in 2013-14, scoring 10 crucial goals that helped keep the Black Cats up and get to Wembley. In fact, he put Sunderland in front after just 10 minutes in the final.
It took a while, but the Italian fan favourite is here permanently now. He hasn’t hit the heights of his previous season – scoring only two goals so far this season – but his work rate is invaluable for a side stuck in the bottom three.
Sub: Craig Gardner
Gardner joined the Black Cats on a free transfer from Birmingham along with Seb Larsson. The Englishman made exactly 100 appearances for Sunderland and scored 14 goals – most of them absolute screamers.
Now at West Brom, he has become a regular starter under Tony Pulis and has made 53 league appearances in just over one and a half seasons.
Sub: Steven Fletcher
That picture summed up his cup final and his Sunderland career. Who could forget that miss from six yards out that would level the game against City?
The Scotland international seemed to be the real deal after scoring 11 goals in his first season at Sunderland. He only just beat that in the following three seasons put together.
Sub: Emanuele Giaccherini
Italy international Giaccherini was one of the thirteen signings made by Paolo Di Canio in 2013 and, like most of them, hasn’t delivered the goods.
At 5ft 51/2, the 30-year-old was never able to physically adapt to the Premier League and is currently out on loan to Bologna. He wants to stay there, too.