Stoke City 1 Sunderland 0

Aug 30 2009 by Stuart Rayner, Sunday Sun

Malbranque was involved in the next move, a piece of beautfiul football started by Cattermole’s excellent pass out to the Frenchman and topped of by a pirrouette from Jones. He played Bent in but this time it was Ryan Shawcross blocking the shot.

Nobody was getting in the way when Bent had a strike in the 41st minute, but it curled the wrong side of the far post. The half-time break did not bring any let-up for Sunderland. Nosworthy had to throw himself in front of Whelan’s 48th-minute shot and, soon after, Phil Bardsley was clearing Lawrence’s shot off the line after a corner.

After that initial flurry, Sunderland began to get to grips with the game once more, conceding less opportunities for Stoke to launch the ball at their goal.

Nosworthy headed over at a corner and Bruce introduced Fraizer Campbell and Andy Reid in place of his now ineffective wide men Malbranque and Richardson. Both substitutes made a positive difference for the visitors.

Also on the bench, but overlooked, were Ipswich Town-bound Grant Leadbitter and defender Danny Collins. The reaction of the away fans as he warmed up showed they do not want the versatile defender to be playing again at the Britannia Stadium any time soon.

Although Sunderland began to have more chances than at any time since the first quarter, they were restricted to long-range efforts. Bardsley’s from the best part of 30 yards was the most threatening to Thomas Sørensen.

Bent’s flick-on teed up a volley for Campbell eight minutes from time but he could not match the power with direction.

If Stoke’s threat was reduced, it had not disappeared. An off-balance Kitson did not head Lawrence’s cross far off target.

Sunderland could have equalised had Reid whipped his cross slightly nearer either Jones or the goal but soon after the Irishman was caught in possession. Tuncay, having only just come on for his debut, ran deep into Black Cats territory but Kitson’s cross was too far in front of Whitehead for the midfielder to provide a final insult.

By the end all Sunderland could offer was Stoke football. It is best left to the experts.