Stoke City 0 Sunderland 1

Feb 5 2012 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

THE RENAISSANCE under Martin O’Neill continues as the Black Cats made it seven wins from 10 league games under their new boss.

James McClean’s terrific goal on the hour proved decisive as Sunderland came out on top against 10-man Stoke City in Arctic blizzard conditions at the Britannia Stadium.

Sunderland have now picked up 22 points from a possible 30 since O’Neill took over at the start of December, going from fourth-bottom to eighth place in just two months.

O'Neill had billed yesterday’s game as a major test for his team, against a combative Stoke side that has enjoyed an excellent record on its own patch in recent seasons.

And the weather only made Sunderland’s task even tougher as they tried to counter Stoke’s direct style of play.

Snow fell from start to finish and in the second half began to lie on the playing surface, with players struggling to keep their footing or to make basic passes.

However, the visitors’ cause was helped by the fact they had a man advantage for half the game after ex-Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth saw red just before the interval following his wild sliding challenge on David Meyler.

Potters boss Tony Pulis said replays showed Huth had not made contact with the midfielder, and accused the Irishman of deliberately making a meal of the challenge in order to get his player sent off.

But, contact or not, there was no doubt that Huth’s challenge was reckless – particularly in the slippy, snowy, conditions. And referee Martin Atkinson decided he was within his rights to reach for a red card without needing to see a broken leg as evidence.

But that incident was the only sour note on what was an otherwise good day for Sunderland.

O’Neill was faced with a difficult call over fit-again Fraizer Campbell, who has scored in both his outings since returning from a 17-month injury absence.

And the Black Cats boss opted not to push his luck by playing the striker in a third game in the space of just six days, and named him amongst the subs.

Stephane Sessegnon moved forward to take Campbell’s place and spearhead the attack, with Craig Gardner playing just behind him – reprising the combination that worked so well in the FA Cup win at Peterborough a month ago.

Gardner’s more advanced role left a gap in midfield which was filled by Meyler, who came in to make his first start of the season.That was the only change for the Wearsiders, with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet passed fit despite complaining of a sore knee towards the end of the week.

Deadline day loan signings Wayne Bridge and Sotirios Kyrgiakos were included on the bench, but neither got in on the action.