AFC Bournemouth 1-2 SunderlandHome team scorersDan Gosling 11
Away team scorersVictor Anichebe 33
Jermain Defoe 74 Pen
It has taken 11 games but, at last, Sunderland have their first league win – in the most unlikely of circumstances. David Moyes’s team were second best in every facet of the game apart from the scoreline, yet they displayed an impressive combination of spirit and fight to not only come from behind but do so with 10 men.
Dan Gosling, a former Newcastle player who had also worked with Moyes at Everton, had put Bournemouth in front but their inability to finish a hatful of good chances proved costly. Victor Anichebe, making his first start for Sunderland, scored the equaliser before Steven Pienaar’s dismissal for two yellow cards.
And despite being penned back for the remainder of the afternoon, Jermain Defoe’s penalty, which was won by Anichebe, ensured that Moyes, who was serving a touchline ban for swearing at an official during the EFL Cup defeat to Southampton 10 days ago, will at least live to fight another day.
Gosling’s finish for the 11th-minute opener may have been unconventional but everything about the buildup play was typical Bournemouth. Junior Stanislas spotted the run of Adam Smith to his right and sent a lovely through-ball from near the penalty arc. The defender timed his run perfectly and squared to Gosling, who bundled the ball home with his belly from about four yards. Through the whole passage Sunderland’s defence appeared two steps behind.
Stanislas then found the side netting after some strong hold-up play from Joshua King, while he almost had a second assist when returning the favour to King in the 27th minute. Jordan Pickford did well to palm away the striker’s powerful drive.
Sunderland seldom found an opportunity to attack but Moyes’s decision to play with two up front paid off when Anichebe was fed by Defoe 12 minutes before half-time. With his back to goal, the target man fended off Simon Francis’s challenge before turning and sending a ferocious shot high into Artur Boruc’s net.
It was the visitors’ first notable chance but they were undoubtedly buoyed by regaining parity. The tireless Duncan Watmore found the net just before the interval only to be offside upon meeting Billy Jones’s cross and they continued to improve after the break.
Boruc was forced to palm away a Didier N’Dong shot after 55 minutes but Sunderland’s belief was tempered by Pienaar’s sending off a couple of minutes later. Booked late in the first half for a tackle on Jack Wilshere, the midfielder was shown a second yellow for planting his studs on the right shin of Stanislas. It could easily have been a straight red.
Bournemouth almost made the advantage count immediately when Stanislas hit a post. A slew of opportunities followed in the proceeding minutes. Gosling had a goalward effort deflected for a corner, Harry Arter headed wide and Wilshere failed to hit the target from eight yards. How costly those spurned chances would prove to be.
Sunderland’s lack of attacking intent at that point can be summed up by Defoe becoming an auxiliary right-back. But Jason Denayer’s introduction for Paddy McNair allowed the visiting captain the chance to reassume an attacking role and he started the move that led to the penalty by nutmegging Charlie Daniels near the touchline. From there he picked out Watmore who, in turn, passed to Anichebe. The striker took a heavy touch in the area but was then hauled down by a sliding Smith. Mike Dean had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Defoe was as cool as ever.
Benik Afobe and Steve Cook both missed the target, while Pickford produced another for his show reel when turning a stinging King shot over his bar as Bournemouth tried to draw level. But Sunderland nervously played out five minutes of injury time before erupting in celebration.
Guardian
