BLACK CATS’ CATTASTROPHE
Sunderland’s Wembley shoot-out curse strikes again & this time, 21 years on, local hero Lee is the spot-kick villain
TEARFUL Lee Cattermole provided penalty shoot-out heartbreak to decide a remarkable occasion at Wembley.
Twenty-one years ago it was Sunderland local hero Michael Gray’s spot-kick failure which gave Charlton victory in a Championship play-off shoot-out (left).
Yesterday, Black Cats stalwart Cattermole suffered the same fate as Portsmouth lifted the Checkatrade Trophy.
Former left-back Gray tweeted his support for Cattermole, writing: “Gutted for Lee. But any player who has the courage to step forward and take a penalty deserves credit. Keep your head up mate.”
A competition record attendance of 85,021 – only Barcelona attracted more in European football over the weekend – saw the oftenderided cup serve up a treat. Four goals, dramatic swings, extra-time, and a classic nailbiting finale with Cattermole the undeserving fall guy.
Two sleeping giants of the game, languishing in the third tier, sold out Wembley and showed what they could be, and are, as they rebuild.
Ultimately it was Pompey sub Oli Hawkins, not long out of non-league, who converted the cup-winning penalty, completing a perfect five out of five from Kenny Jackett’s nerveless lads.
Cattermole held his hand up in apology to the Sunderland end of the stadium. He looked emotional, a man who has been part of consecutive relegations, and now this.
He could not bring himself to speak afterwards, but he has been central to the club’s revival this season, has scored goals and talked of how much he enjoyed winning games.
Boss Jack Ross said: “He’s OK. The whole group is sore and in pain. You don’t have the career he’s had without taking pride in what you do, so he is hurting.”
Both these sides are in the League One play-off places and a return to Wembley in May for