FIRED-UP COLEMAN LIFTS THE GLOOM AT SUNDERLAND
IT WAS ugly, but Chris Coleman wasn’t fussed. Neither were the Sunderland fans, who travelled to Burton in great voice and numbers to watch their side claim a first win in the Championship since August. After 80 minutes of stodgy, turgid football in the rain and on a tight pitch, Sunderland found a way through Burton’s defence to score two goals at the death. The first came from substitute James Vaughan, who benefited from a Lee Cattermole flick-on to head home at the far post in the 84th minute. The Sunderland supporters went into a frenzy, but it was as nothing compared to the eruption three minutes later. Another replacement, Joel Asoro, crossed for George Honeyman to drive home and
send Coleman skipping down the touchline in glee. ‘It feels really good,’ said Coleman, whose side’s first win in 17 games also brought their first clean sheet since May. ‘It was never going to be easy — the conditions weren’t great. In the position we are in, we don’t care where the wins come from — they just have to come. It’s a good start for us. ‘I said to the players enjoy it for 24 hours because we’re used to coming out of the dressing room depressed, because we’re feeling down, hence my reaction with the supporters after the game. We’ve got to gain their trust again.’ The reaction he referred to was fists raised and a rousing scream. The fans roared back and, judging by his impact here in only his second game in charge, Coleman and Sunderland are going to be a good match. To get Sunderland out of the mire, Coleman says he needs every player to be able to offer something, whether they start or come off the bench. It happened that way on Saturday. Vaughan’s strike was the catalyst for victory, while Asoro’s cross for the second goal and the workmanlike approach of fellow sub Darron Gibson gave Sunderland the impetus they needed. ‘If we are going to get out of trouble it isn’t just about the 11 on the pitch,’ he said. ‘If we are to win this battle it is about all of them staying fit and focused so they are ready when called upon.’ For opposite number, Nigel Clough, it was a case of missed opportunities. ‘We were on top for the first 45 minutes,’ said Clough, who lost Will Miller, Joe Sbarra and Sean Scannell to cramp and injuries. ‘You’ve got to make that count and we didn’t.’