James is a Vaughan again hero for Cookie
CHRIS COLEMAN felt “really good” as he watched his Sunderland side clinch a first league win since August at fellow relegation strugglers Burton Albion.
A tight match of few chances was finally decided inside the final 10 minutes when substitute James Vaughan netted from close range after Lee Cattermole had flicked on a corner at the near post.
Young midfielder George Honeyman sealed the points with another close-range effort two minutes from time.
It was Coleman’s first win back as a club manager after quitting as Wales boss last weekend – and the manager nicknamed ‘Cookie’ said: “It was never going to be easy today.
“In the position we are in you don’t care where wins come from.
“They have got to come and come frequently and consistently so it’s a good start and a base for us.”
Coleman’s new charges moved off the bottom of the Championship table with the win.
He added: “I have told the players to enjoy it and milk it for 24 hours.
“We are used to walking out of a dressing room feeling depressed and feeling down because we haven’t got what we wanted, hence my reaction with the supporters.”
Coleman celebrated in front of the travelling Sunderland fans in a show of solidarity.
“We have got to gain their trust a little bit again,” he added.
Burton boss Nigel Clough was left to reflect on his side not making the most of their first-half dominance.
“We missed our situations and chances in the first half to go ahead,” he said.
“It might have been a different game then.
“We were on top for the first 45 minutes and you have got to make that count.
“Even teams that are below you in the league, with the quality that they have will hurt you – as they did.
“It’s a brilliant corner and a brilliant flick and its difficult to defend.
“It’s just the quality again, where they turn situations they have into chances and goals and we don’t.”