RESULT! That’s as good Az it gets for thrilled Brunt
WALES: CHRIS BRUNT says his return to the international scene after 13 months away was virtually perfect as he starred in Northern Ireland’s 4-0 triumph over Azerbaijan in Belfast.
Knee ligament damage had kept West Brom’s Brunt, 31, out from February to October.
He was restricted to a watching brief at Euro 2016 but made up for lost time with a fine display as Michael O’Neill’s men moved second in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Brunt (right) defied an early head injury to demonstrate his brilliance from set-piece situations by delivering the ball which Gareth McAuley nodded home.
And he was credited with rounding off the night by scoring the fourth, though his captain Steven Davis may have got a decisive touch before the ball nestled in the net.
Either way, Brunt was delighted to mark his Northern Ireland return with such a convincing victory over a nation that had not conceded in their previous three qualifiers.
“It couldn’t have gone much better for me and the team,” he said.
“The result was obviously the important thing and then the fact we kept a clean sheet.
“Azerbaijan were coming here on the back of not conceding a goal in three games so it was important for us to put them on the back foot and try and score some goals. “We obviously did that and to come away with a 4-0 win is great.
“In the second half they may have had a bit more of the ball but I don’t really recall Michael McGovern having to make more than one save throughout the game.
“I must admit I did sit and think about playing international football while I was out.
“A lot of the time you are just working hard to get fit but it did cross my mind.
“I played the whole game and was a bit tired towards the end but that is to be expected.”