Since their FA Cup exit to Everton, Sunderland have become the most unpredictable side in the division. One moment they're playing almost unstoppable football against Man City and Tottenham, then their coming unstuck against the Toffees again. But surely dead and buried Wolves at the Stadium of Light should been as easy to call as dialling home?
The answer was a resounding no despite the statistics being in the home side's favour. The Black Cats were unbeaten in their last four home games while their visitors hadn't managed a single point in their last three trips on the road. But stats mean nothing when there's still the slightest glimmer of hope for Premier League survival.
In order to finally stop a rot of seven straight defeats and hold out for their first clean sheet in 31 matches, Terry Connor’s men had to nullify the threat posed by Sunderland’s danger men, McClean and Sessegnon. And they did so with great success throughout the match with the flying wingers only managing to complete a single cross between them.
Key to this was Connor’s move to pack the midfield with hard workers and leave three defenders at the back, which allowed him to keep the ever dangerous Steven Fletcher and Ebanks-Blake upfront. Reinstated captain Henry acted as a much needed solid shield in front of back three while the two strikers kept Sunderland from pressing too hard and risking being hit on the counter.
The home side started the game on top and had the better of the early exchanges with the subdued McClean and Sessegnon both wasting good chances. After that Wolves managed to find a foothold in the game and made life difficult for O’Neil’s men. They never looked like threatening when in possession but when they were without they limited the home side to long range efforts.
The second half began in a similar manner to the first. This time Sessegnon tried to inspire his team forward but Wolves once again quickly snubbed out his influence on the match.
This game will hardly go down as one to remember but Wolves fans may look back at it and think if their team had shown this type of character before then they might well not be in the dark place they find themselves now.
This tactical move from the Wolves boss may have better O’Neil this once but they’ll have to find some even more special if they’re going to perform the ultimate miracle to escape the drop.