Bolton 0 Sunderland 0

May 10 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

BOXER Tony Jeffries spent a day in the Sunderland camp this week and his presence certainly helped the Black Cats rediscover their fighting spirit.

If only the Sunderland-based Olympic bronze medallist had taught Ricky Sbragia’s men how to deliver a knockout blow, too! The Wearsiders could – and should – have as good as ended their battle against the drop at the Reebok Stadium, where they outclassed an uncharacteristically lifeless Bolton side.

Victory would have opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone and piled even more pressure onto Newcastle and Middlesbrough, who are both staring into the abyss as they prepare to meet at St James’s Park tomorrow night.

As it is, Sunderland were held to a goalless draw and had to settle for stretching their safety margin to a still-healthy five points.

But what would have been seen as a good away point on Saturday lunchtime ended up seeming like an opportunity missed by teatime.

Sunderland managed 11 shots – every one of which was off-target. Kieran Richardson – who played in the hole behind lone front man Kenwyne Jones – was the most culpable, missing two great chances in the first half and one in the second.

If he had packed his shooting boots, Sunderland would be resting a great deal easier today.

Instead, they were hanging on for dear life at the end as Bolton finished strongly and only a fine save from Marton Fülöp three minutes into injury-time prevented Gary Cahill snatching an ill-deserved win for the home side with the only on-target shot of the entire match.