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NO FESTIVE CHEER SUNDERLAND 2 (Connolly 65, Leadbitter 81), UNITED 0 Sunderland: Ward, Nyatanga (Collins 59), Caldwell, Whitehead, Elliott (Wallace 59), Murphy (Hysen 90), Leadbitter, Varga, Connolly, Yorke, Miller. Subs: Nosworthy, Fulop. United: Warner, Foxe, Ehiogu (Kilgallon 72), Heath, Lewis, Richardson, Douglas, Derry (Healy 72), Westlake, Beckford (Moore 72), Kandol. Subs: Sullivan, Howson. Referee: G Salisbury Stadium of Light Once again United manager Dennis Wise rung the changes as he looked to record a first league win since November. Jermaine Beckford came in for his first league start of the season, in place of the injured Robbie Blake, while Hayden Foxe returned to right-back with Frazer Richardson moving up into the midfield. Teenager Jonny Howson was named among the substitutes, along with David Healy, |an Moore, and Matthew Kilgallon. It was a surprisingly subdued opening to the clash with little of the traditional rivalry on show as the two sides felt each other out during the opening 10 minutes. Matt Heath did head a Jonathan Douglas cross off target, and the United defender also did well moments later when Tony Warner parried a long range effort and Heath cleared well under pressure. Eddie Lewis also reacted well to turn the ball for a corner after some good build-up play from Sunderland. United responded by winning a couple of corners themselves, the second of which was cleared to safety after a good delivery from Ian Westlake. Sunderland hit the upright in the 22nd minute, following a good cross from the left aimed for striker David Connolly, but there was little to trouble either goalkeeper. Even when well-placed to test Tony Warner, former United loan man Liam Miller fired wide of the mark for the hosts. United's first real shot came on the half-hour when Shaun Derry, who collected a wayward pass from Dean Whitehead, fed Douglas on the edge of the box, but home goalkeeper Darren Ward had his low drive well covered. Seven minutes before the interval Warner was called upon to make a good save from Connolly. The ball fell kindly to Connolly at a tight angle, but Warner beat away his powerful strike. The second half started in similar fashion to the first, but the lively Connolly did try his luck from distance with a shot which sailed over the bar. Sunderland made a double substitution shortly before the hour as the game continued to drift without any real drama. But the hosts finally made the breakthrough on 65 minutes when Connolly escaped the clutches of Heath before tucking the ball low beyond Warner. United were almost level within two minutes though. A Ward punch fell invitingly to Frazer Richardson on the edge of the box, but with the home goalkeeper stranded Stevie Caldwell reacted well to block the resulting shot. With 18 minutes remaining, United boss Wise made a triple substitution with Moore, Healy and Kilgallon all joining the fray. But the game was effectively put beyond doubt with nine minutes left when Grant Leadbitter crashed home a shot from the edge of the box to double Sunderland's advantage. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist 'I am in shock,' said Ferguson.
