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Club Focus - Sunderland - “Precious" Bent helps Mackems move into top half of the table
It was a weekend spent overcoming negative statistics for the Black Cats. A 1-0 away win against Hull City at the KC Stadium was not only their first away win since the first day of the season, but the first time the side has managed back-to-back league wins in over two years.
Darren Bent netted his 24th league goal of the campaign and is now only two behind this season’s leading Premier League goal-scorer, Wayne Rooney. It was a clever opportunists strike after a good driving run from Alan Hutton had led to a cross to Kenwyne Jones, who cleverly picked out his strike partner with a pinpoint header across goal. After the game, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce reaffirmed his belief that Bent should go to the World Cup. He described his striker as, “very precious” and his haul of 25 goals in all competitions as - “just incredible.” If Fabio Capello wants to pick players going by their current form then on this basis - Rooney aside - there is no finer striker in the country at the moment. The former Tottenham man has scored 14 goals since Christmas and nine in his last nine games. In the same period, going on Premier League appearances, this is more than Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, Bobby Zamora, Jermaine Defoe and Carlton Cole put together. A common criticism leveled at the striker is that all he does is score, but his clinical ability in front of goal - his shots to goal ratio is almost twice as good as Rooney’s - should be enough to get him on the plane to South Africa. Bruce is becoming his striker’s main cheerleader also saying: “I am not going to get involved with Mr Capello. He has won more than I can dream of. I am just speaking on Bent’s behalf and it would be great if we can have a Sunderland centre-forward going to the World Cup.”
On to other matters, and Sunderland will appeal against the ban on Hutton which means he could potentially miss the end of the season. The Sunderland right-back was sent off at the weekend after an incident with Jozy Altidore. Hutton threw the ball at the big American, who responded by head-butting the Scottish defender to the ground who then needed treatment for facial injuries. The decision to send Hutton off seemed harsh as he probably deserved a yellow card at most for his provocative action. The incident was not the only bit of controversy during a poor game as Bruce was sent to the stands for encroaching out of his technical area, something that - as regular spectators of Sunderland will know - he does quite a lot. The Black Cats were able to keep hold of their lead despite conceding a penalty. Jimmy Bullard missed the opportunity from the spot and with Stoke City, Blackburn and Fulham all dropping points, the Mackems leapt up three places to tenth, very much the Sunderland manager’s stated aim. The Wearsider’s are now sitting on 44 points, meaning they will finish the season with their highest Premier League points total and, indeed, their highest league position since 2001.
Two young Sunderland players who have greatly impressed in recent weeks have been rewarded with new contracts. Jordan Henderson and David Meyler have both signed contract extensions that will keep them at the club until 2015. They have both become regulars in the Wearsider’s starting XI with Meyler keeping club captain Lorik Cana out of the side in recent weeks. Henderson is Sunderland born and fans have been particularly pleased to see a locally born player doing so well in the first team. Bruce said: “I’ve been delighted with the way Jordan (Henderson) and David (Meyler) have applied themselves since I arrived at the club and credit has to go to the Academy staff for the fantastic work they do with our young players.” Since the Academy of Light opened its doors in 2003, players coming through the youth ranks into the first team have been few and far between, with only Grant Leadbitter being given an extended run of games. Meyler and Henderson look exciting prospects and are perhaps evidence that - finally - the academy is producing results.
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