BLACK CATS HAVE COOKIE PURRING
SWEDISH striker Joel Asoro marked his first league start with a maiden senior goal to lift Sunderland off the bottom of the table.
It was the Black Cats’ first goal in five hours and 39 minutes, but they rode their luck and were also indebted to goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter, who denied former Sunderland midfielder David Meyler with a point-blank stoppage-time save.
Asoro, 18, blotted his copybook with a booking for diving 11 minutes from time when he went down in the penalty area under the challenge of Hull skipper Michael Dawson.
But Sunderland manager Chris Coleman had no complaints as his youthful side won for only the second time in 14 home games this season.
Coleman said: “We had three young boys out there and, ideally, we wouldn’t be in a position where they’re playing – but I thought they were terrific.
“Our home form has been pretty drastic over the past 12 months or so, but we were brilliant and played with no fear.
“We’ve won twice here and Josh Maja got the winner against Fulham and Joel has got it this time – it was a fantastic goal. And Ethan Robson put his foot in and had presence and awareness.
“They haven’t made it as professionals yet, but it shows it doesn’t matter which individuals you have, it’s all about having harmony.’’
Coleman also heaped praised on wise old heads John O’Shea and Lee Cattermole in defence and midfield.
He said: “Sheasy was talking and encouraging and put in some great headers, and Catts made great decisions. You need that blend with experience. Now we need to show the same consistency when we go to Birmingham.’’
As Coleman desperately seeks transfer-window recruits he has little option but to place the accent on youth, and he sent out four academy products in Asoro, fellow striker Maja and midfielders Robson and George Honeyman.
It was a landmark day for three of them as Maja, 19, who began the previous two games, made his full home debut, while Robson, 21, joined Asoro with a first league start.
And it was the combination of Maja and Asoro that forced the first save of the game from Allan McGregor in the 14th minute. Asoro delivered a neat flick-on for Maja, who worked the angle for the shot and brought a one-handed stop from the Hull keeper.
But it was Asoro who took the plaudits five minutes later, running on to Honeyman’s ball on the right and beating McGregor just inside the far post with an angled finish.
In this clash between sides battling the threat of a second successive relegation, Hull – with three Sunderland old boys in Meyler, Seb Larsson and Fraizer Campbell – struggled to make a first-half impression.
But they were unlucky not to level in the 68th minute when Evandro’s venomous effort was headed off the line by Bryan Oviedo.
Sunderland then survived again when Campbell volleyed over from an Evandro cut-back, and Ruiter was heroic in the dying moments.
Hull have now gone seven league games without a win since Nigel Adkins launched his reign with a 3-2 home victory over Brentford.
And the Tigers boss conceded: “We’re in a relegation battle and we have to fight like mad to get out of it.
“We’re not going to hide – it’s a bad loss. We need to make sure we don’t lose to teams around us in the table.’’