Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe’s equaliser earned his side their first point of the season after an improved performance against Swansea on Saturday. The Welsh side took the lead when Bafetimbi Gomis angled in a shot after being set up by Kyle Naughton in the third minute of first half stoppage time.
The game was a vast improvement on Sunderland’s recent outings, with passion and flashes of skill a sight to behold for the 40,000 home supporters. Individual performances were the biggest positive for the Black Cats, with Costel Pantilimon, Jack Rodwell, Jeremain Lens, Yann M’Vila and John O’Shea particulalry impressive.
Sunderlan captain John O’Shea retrned to the heart of the defence and immidiatley strengthened the back line. He was collosal, winning every header against Bafetimbi Gomis and Eder and bringing much needed leadership to the team. His presence with the armband allowed Lee Cattermole to concentrate on his own game, and the midfielder played his best game so far this season with a vintage display. Alongside Cattermole, M’Vila and Rodwell impressed, they were full of running and defended from the front.
Further forward Jeremain Lens and Jermain Defoe were a threat, Lens was direct and was often turning the full back inside and out. Defoe grabbed himself a goal on the hour mark and now has two goals in three games, a good return for the England international. Sunderland were denied a penalty when Jack Rodwell’s shot looked to have hit Ashley Williams’s arm, while Costel Pantilimon saved a late Gomis header. Advocaat had this to say on the penalty incident, “It was a clear penalty but I can still live with a 1-1 as Swansea are a good side. It was handball”.
“After the criticism they’d had this week Sunderland were never going to roll over,” said Swansea manager Gary Monk. “The crowd inspired them to fight and, as you saw by the fouls they gave away, they fought quite hard.”
Sunderland had a crisis meeting after last week’s abysmal 3-1 defeat to Norwich City, and perhaps they should have them every week if this is how they respond. The Black Cats showed more desire and appetite for the game and slowly but surely won around their passionate fans with their show of commitment.
Sunderland: (4-3-3) Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O’Shea, Van Aanholt; Lens (Larsson, 90) M’Vila, Cattermole, Rodwell; Graham (Fletcher, 64), Defoe (Watmore, 85).
Swansea City: (4-4-1-1) Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Ayew, Cork, Shelvey, Montero; Sigurdsson; Gomis (Eder, 76).
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Man of the match: Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland)
Match rating: 6.5/10
