O’Neill’s stunning start memories
SUNDERLAND 2 BLACKBURN 1 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2011
Martin O’Neill made a dramatic start with his first game in charge at the Stadium of Light after succeeding the sacked Steve Bruce.
Sunderland struck twice late on to snatch a memorable victory against fellow Premier League strugglers Blackburn Rovers.
Simon Vukcevic’s early goal looked destined to condemn O’Neill to defeat in his first official game in charge - until Sunderland’s persistence and pressure was rewarded in a late turnaround.
David Vaughan equalised with a 25-yard drive in the 84th minute and, with Blackburn hanging on desperately, Seb Larsson’s injury-time free-kick sent O’Neill into one of his familiar frenetic touchline celebrations!
Sunderland’s victory moved them out of the Premier League’s bottom three.
Asked if he enjoyed it, the new boss said: “I enjoyed the equalising goal and I enjoyed the winning goal immensely. The rest of it - would you call that enjoyment?
The players were fantastic today and the crowd was absolutely super and you could not ask for any more.
“I thought they played really well considering the frustration that has been around the place, and I felt that we kept going.
“The players stuck at it and kept believing in themselves.
“You are looking at the clock, 65 minutes, 70, 75, is it going to happen?
“It was a fantastic equaliser and the place lifted. For Seb to get the winning goal ... both Seb and David Vaughan played rally well.”
O’Neill sent on James McClean with 14 minutes remaining for a debut that certainly excited the home fans.
“He is a talent, he’s strong, he wants to get at players and he made an immediate impact,” said a clearly pleased O’Neill.
“He came on and he lifted the crowd. That 15-minute period was great.
“As time progresses, I’m hoping he can be a proper player.”
O’Neill inspired his players into a breathtaking comeback that was roared on by the Stadium of Light faithful.
O’Neill added: “The players were talking about it in the dressing room after the game - when the crowd was right behind them, what an amazing feeling that was.”
O’Neill gambled on the fitness of young striker Connor Wickham in his return from a knee ligament injury and Sunderland started brightly enough.
But Vukevic’s header midway through the first half threatened to spoil O’Neill’s day.
But with Blackburn penned back for most of the second half, Sunderland battled back in spectacular fashion.
Firstly through David Vaughan’s equaliser as he fizzed his drive in from 25 yards.
Vaughan gave Sunderland hope with six minutes remaining when he ran on to a loose ball and blasted home from distance with Rovers keeper Robinson helpless.
The goalkeeper was equally powerless to deny Sunderland victory when, two minutes into injury time, Larsson curled his free-kick over the wall and in off the foot of the post to snatch a much-needed victory.
It was just Sunderland’s fourth home win in 2011 and their second over Blackburn, and just what the bulk of a crowd of 39,863 had turned up to see. O’Neill steered Sunderland to a 13th place finish, which would have been better but for a run of eight games without a win at the end of the season.