Filed under: Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake produced a crucial winner to ease the pressure on Mick McCarthy as Wolves picked up only their second win in 14 games.Substitute Ebanks-Blake pounced a minute from time and finally gave McCarthy something to smile about, even though Wolves remain in the relegation zone.
Kevin Foley had put the hosts ahead in a game that McCarthy had branded "must-win" before Sunderland strikers Darren Bent and Danny Welbeck appeared set to secure the visitors their second successive away win with cool finishes.
But Stephen Hunt and Ebanks-Blake rescued three priceless points for the hosts to lift the storm clouds that had been hovering above Molineux. McCarthy had insisted he has the backing of chairman Steve Morgan and this result will help to silence the "numpties" who are demanding his head.
It looked ominous when Richard Stearman's strike was disallowed for offside midway through the opening period but an inspired second half start saw Foley arrow in the opener in the 50th minute.
But Sunderland - who have been drastically improved since their mauling against deadly rivals Newcastle - roared back with two opportunist strikes from Bent and Welbeck.
Another costly defeat appeared likely, with Wolves's luck seemingly out, but Hunt sneaked in to equalise before Ebanks-Blake cleverly beat Craig Gordon from just inside the box to spark wild scenes.
REACTION:
McCarthy on a priceless win:
"It didn't matter how we got a victory, I'd have enjoyed it anyway. I went through the mill before we did win then.
"It gives me great satisfaction and pride that every time the team goes out I get every last drop out of them. We could do with a bit more quality ... the final ball but they are never lacking in effort, heart or application."
On the apparent pressure from fans regarding his position at Molineux:
"I didn't realise I was under any pressure. I have had such great support from everybody at the club and there's never been any suggestion [I was under any pressure].
"I don't take any notice of those internet bloggers or radio phone-ins, I think they're numpties. What I do like is the ones out there who stuck with us, they could so easily have turned on us when we were 2-1 down. But they saw the application out there. If my future was in any doubt, it was news to me."
On the topsy-turvy nature of the game:
"I still enjoyed it. My heart rate monitor would have been interesting reading. I'll never have a heart attack, my ticker's too good for that. But it was going up and down like a fiddlers' elbow, going through conflicting emotions."
On the substitutions:
"Great manager! If they'd not come off I'd have been the numpty! Such is life in the big city."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was critical of his side's defending in the two late goals:
"If we defend like that then it's going to be a tough winter for us again. Individual mistakes have cost us the game. To come here and concede three is not very good. To score two goals away from home and not win is criminal. There are all sorts of individual errors which we have to eradicate."
On the improved performance in the second half:
"It was one of those games that didn't quite get going in the first period but our two goals kicked us into life. We produced some great football after they took the lead but, as I keep saying, if you give goals away you're not going to win games. They were horrible, horrible goals.
"The one thing we've prided ourselves on is our clean sheets. We were back to the horror days of too many people not doing their jobs and it wasn't very nice to watch."
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