Asamoah Gyan came from the bench to score a classic goal as Sunderland bounced back from consecutive losses to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Blackburn Rovers last Saturday that lifted them to sixth place in the Premier League table.
Steven Bruce’s side had fallen to Manchester united and Blackpool in their previous two outings, but the one-sided victory moved them to within four points of fifth-placed champions Chelsea, who have two games in hand.
Darren Bent ended a mini-goal drought with Sunderland’s second goal, after Danny Welbeck had broken the deadlock, and such was the hosts’ command of the game that the former Tottenham man could have had at least a hat-trick.
Bent left eh fray in the 81st minute and his replacement Gyan claimed the Black Cats’ third, bending a delightful effort inside the far post form the edge of the penalty area.
There was a fortuitous touch to Sundarland’s opener, with Welbeck’s shot bobbling in via a big deflection off Ryan Nelsen, but it was of little concern to a Stadium, of Light crowd that had seen their side fail to score despite 31 shots at goal in the 2-0 defeat by Blackpool last Tuesday.
Ahmed Al-Muhammadi’s cross had led to Welbeck’s goal and the Egyptian turned provide once again for the second goal in the 19th minute, curling in a delicious centre that Bent glanced home with his head.
It was the England striker’s first goal in six games but he was responsible for a glaring miss on the hour mark when presented with an opportunity to double his tally.
A slick Sunderland move culminated with Kieran Richardson cutting the ball back to bent, but he was unable to adjust his feet quickly enough and missed the target from just three yards.