SUNDERLAND AFC V FULHAM (H)... MATCH REPORT One chance, one goal was what Paolo Di Canio appeared to gesture to his dugout after Pajtim Kasami notched the decisive goal for Fulham early in a second half which saw The Cottagers run out 1-0 winners at the SOL on Saturday. Despite Sunderland dominating the majority of the game they failed to break down Martin Jol’s side who stole all three points after Di Canio’s side failed to defend a rare venture forward from the visitors allowing Kasami to nod in Fulham’s only corner of the game. Even though I fell out a bit with footy after SAFC’s disastrous past season it didn’t take too many Saturday afternoons walking around B & Q and IKEA to start missing the excitement only match days can provide. Coupled with ten new signings and the dawning of a revolution, excitement and optimism swept Wearside despite Paolo Di Canio’s side being widely tipped to struggle this season by the so called experts. Our transfer activity so far has been refreshing in the way in which we did the bulk of our business early in the summer in contrast to last season when our major signings arrived quite late. The two biggest acquisitions of Altidore and Giaccherini grabbed the most headlines although the addition of Cabral may prove to be quite astute as he looked promising in the pre-season games in Hong Kong. I’m still expecting a couple of more signings to come through before the transfer window closes with Di Canio making no secrets of his desire to add a playmaker and left back. Fulham arrived in the North East having boosted their ranks with the addition of £24m flop Darren Bent who signed on a season long loan from Aston Villa although predictably he failed to make an appearance despite making the bench. Di Canio began his revolution with five debutants as the Italian named Keiren Westwood as his number one goalkeeper behind a back four of Celustka, O’Shea, Roberge and Colback. In midfield Giaccherini, Cabral, Larsson and Johnson looked to supply Sessegnon and Altidore. Sess started in the hole despite rumours before the game that he had been left out the squad due to an impending transfer to the middle east. We started well forcing an early corner after Cabral’s long range effort was deflected wide before Giaccherini volleyed the corner well over. Adam Johnson did well outpacing former Sunderland utility man Kieran Richardson showing something fitness wise which seemed to be lacking last season before Cabral tried another shot this time dragging an effort wide. Even though we had all the play and Fulham were camped in their own half time and time again we resorted to long range shots with Cabral again trying his luck a couple of times only to see his shots skew wide or be blocked. The one time we did create something came down the left flack when Colback overlapped and whipped in a decent ball to the front post although Altidore failed to get across the front of his man much to the dissatisfaction of Di Canio. Before half time, debutant right back Celustka, who looked fairly solid, almost outdid Stan Varga in terms of impressive defensive debuts when he unleashed a cracking half volley which seemed destined for the top corner only for the keeper to tip over the bar. At half time Darren Bent was subject to a warm Wearside reception when he warmed up on the pitch although again we started brighter forging a chance for Johnson to flash a shot wide of the post. Then after 52 minutes of playing for a draw Fulham somehow took the lead when they converted their first real venture forward. A Damien Duff corner from the right wing was not defended and Kasami had the simple task of nodding past a helpless Westwood. Sunderland responded with Altidore, enjoying a much better second half in holding up the ball and turning smartly to flash a shot wide of the post, before Johnson had wasted a free kick in a dangerous position firing into the wall. Di Canio’s first change was a surprise with Ji replacing Sessegnon for the last 20 minutes despite Connor Wickham being named on the bench having scored midweek for England under 21’s. Altidore almost got off the mark when he pounced after Giaccherini’s shot was spilled though the keeper did well to deny him picking up an injury in the process and needing to be replaced by David Stockdale. Wickham came on for the last five minutes as we pressed for an equaliser although it was the first substitute Ji who was guilty of not sealing a share of the spoils. Adam Johnson stood up a ball to the back post which was asking to be nodded in but the South Korean glanced it wide of the post. Not exactly the start we were after and we’re crying out for a creative player to play alongside Cabral who I thought did well knitting the play together. Final Score – Sunderland 0 Fulham 1 ALS Man of the Match – Cabral Aidan Crowe
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 17:02:42 +0000
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