SAFC – THIS WEEK IN 2011
Sunderland left it late to seal a 2-0 Premier League win at Bolton, but could not have produced a more timely victory to relieve the growing pressure on the club.
It wasn’t until the 82nd minute that the Black Cats finally managed to get their noses in front after dominating the second half at the Reebok Stadium.
When Seb Larsson swung in the corner which saw Stephane Sessegnon swivel to flash home a low shot from 10 yards out, it was the seventh time the Swede had been given a goalcreating opportunity from the corner flag and time and again Sunderland created chances they seemed destined never to convert.
After a first-half display from both sides which was best forgotten, the stage seemed set for the first draw of Bolton’s season – defences dominating amid a string of unforced errors and poor passing.
But early in the second half Sunderland seized the advantage and, by the time the final 10 minutes arrived, Bolton were clinging on.
Sessegnon’s goal could easily have been cancelled out in the last few minutes, but Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet produced a brilliant close-range save and John O’Shea a classy headed clearance from just a couple of yards out to preserve their lead.
Sunderland then took advantage of Bolton committing men forward to hit them on the counter-attack in time added on – Sessegnon finding Nicklas Bendtner unmarked on the left of goal and the Dane stroking home a low shot to beat the exposed Jussi Jaaskelainen.
At the final whistle, relieved manager Steve Bruce applauded Sunderland’s ecstatic 4,400 strong travelling army and they applauded him back.