Sunderland 2 Portsmouth 0

Sunderland collected their first win of the year thanks to a Kieran Richardson double. Pompey struggled to handle the Sunderland duo of Richardson and Jones who were immense throughout the game.

Portsmouth started the game the brighter of the two sides with Benjani and Hredarsson coming close.

Richardson then got his first goal of the game when Jones burst past Campbell and cut back a wonderful low cross that Richardson dispatched to the right of James.

Richardson got Sunderland`s second minutes later when he burst in to the area to pick up a loose ball after Murphy struggled to control the ball. Richardson first touch was great to lose Hreidarsson and his placed shot to James left was even better.

Sunderland started the second half where they left off with Richardson nearly getting his third but his curled shot was just a bit high.

Benjani then should have done better when he failed to find Nugent after he found himself one on one with Gordon, Evans with the vital clearance.

Richardson was again unlucky not to score when left foot shot from the edge of the area hit the bar.

Sunderland then managed to run the clock down for the remaining 5 minutes or so.

Sunderland deserved the win and could have won by more.



Sunderland Line Up 4-5-1

Gordon 7
Whitehead 7
Nosworthy 7
Evans 8 (McShane 6)
Collins 7
Stokes 7 (Leadbitter 6)
Yorke 8
Richardson 9
Miller 8
Murphy 7
Jones 9 (O`Donovan 6)


Subs not used

Fulop
Cole

Kieran Richardson - A great performance from Kieran and maybe should have been taking the match ball home. It about time we won a game and to win keeping a clean sheet is even better. We were creative and solid at the back hopefully this is the kick start to our season.

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