On Monday night Sunderland travelled to Crystal Palace sitting second bottom of the Premier League table. With few giving the Black Cats hope at Selhurst Park, Sunderland defied the odds and came away with all three points, their first away victory of the season and, just as importantly, confidence, which their fans will hope can kick start their season. The game was not the greatest spectacle from a footballing perspective and Sunderland came away with what could be described as a “typical Sam Allardyce victory” but few Sunderland supporters will care how the win came about. Here are the main positives from Sunderland’s win at Crystal Palace.
Five Positives From the Sunderland Win at Crystal Palace
Three Points
Sunderland were in desperate need of a victory and they got it thanks to Jermain Defoe and a mix up in the Palace defence. The three points gained here puts Sunderland on nine points for the season, takes them up to 18th in the table and just subsequently puts them just one point behind fierce rivals Newcastle United, who sit one position above them outside the feared relegation zone. Speaking about the points gained Sunderland manger Sam Allardyce said:
“We have got what we wanted and tomorrow [Tuesday] morning when the Sunderland fans wake up they will see three points on the board and we are all very happy. Hopefully we can turn that into another victory on Saturday at home to Stoke. Two wins on the trot in this position is massive.” (via skysports.com)
A Clean Sheet
Only the Blacks Cats’ second clean sheet of the season was recorded at Selhurst Park (the other being the 3-0 victory over Newcastle United). It proves that if the team, and not just the defence, do their jobs, work together and keep their frailties at bay then they can achieve good results and keep a clean sheet on a more frequent basis than they have been. Looking back on the game Allardyce said:
“To come away from Selhurst Park with a win and a clean-sheet after we’ve conceded as many goals as we have in recent weeks is massive for us. We showed huge amount of resilience and I’m hoping to use that as a base to kick on, get more points and results, and climb up the table.” (via safc.com)
Confidence
Its safe to say that Sunderland have not looked the most confident of teams for much of this season and several seasons previous. However victories, clean sheets and good performances bring confidence and although this is just one victory, Sunderland must use it if they want to climb out of the relegation zone.
“At this moment in time we are trying to build our confidence, trying to get better as a team, and the only way you do that is to put points on the board and win football matches,” Allardyce explained. (via skysports.com)
Duncan Watmore
Having recently signed a new four year contract with the club, much to the delight of Sunderland and their supporters, Watmore started this game from the bench. Just like he did for the England U-21 side last week, he came off the bench and lit up the game. This time he couldn’t quite match the goal, two assists and a man of the match performance during his short time on the field like he did last week but he did cause the Palace defenders problems with his positive attacking play. Although still raw, he can make a big impact on a game when coming off the bench and the more he learns the bigger asset he will become for Sunderland and a regular starting place wont be far away.
Speaking about his new deal Watmore said “I’m delighted to sign my new deal and commit my future to Sunderland. I’ve had a great few years here developing my game and now I hope to push on further, with the help of the staff, my team-mates and the supporters, who have all been fantastic with me.” His manager, Sam Allardyce added “He is a bright young man, he has a sensible head on his shoulders and if he continues to make the kind of progress we have seen this season, I am sure that he has a great future ahead of him.” (via skysports.com)
Younes Kaboul and the defence
Younes Kaboul walked away with the man of the match award but any of the defenders, especially the three centre backs could have taken the award. Kaboul has shown glimpses of what he is about since he signed in the summer from Spurs, however this performance shows what he can do and how he can be an asset to the Sunderland side. John O’Shea and Sebastian Coates also had good games, and though the latter doesn’t always fill supporters with confidence he did show that he is a capable defender and if he can cut out individual errors, keep working on his concentration and confidence then he could develop into a reliable defender for the Black Cats.
Sunderland continued with playing three central defenders, even after conceding six last time out against Everton. This time though it worked and the effort put in on the training pitch was there to see. Sunderland fans will be hoping this performance was not another one off. Talking about the defence Sam Allardyce said:
“Going five at the back was something that we thought about a lot. We have been conceding on average three goals a game and that just has to stop. Hopefully the message is getting through to the players that we have to be resilient as a team, dig in and work hard out of possession.” (via bbcsport.co.uk)
It was not all good news as goalscorer Jermain Defoe went off with an ankle injury. The hope is that it is not a ligament injury and he will be back in the team sooner rather than later. Reports suggest he can put weight on the ankle so Sunderland fans will be hoping for their star man to be fit and firing in a matter of weeks, rather than months.
Sunderland now have the places above them, which are outside the relegation zone in sight and must build on this performance if they are to climb the table and avoid yet another crack at a great escape. All supporters are hoping another great escape season can be avoided and that Sunderland under the guidance of Sam Allardyce can secure Premier League safety before the last few games of the season. Watch this space.
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