Sunderland 5 - 2 Wolverhampton - whiteee's Blog

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Sunderland 5 - 2 Wolverhampton

Posted on September 28, 2009 at 02:34 AM.

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Kenwyne Jones scored twice as Sunderland defeated Wolves to climb to eighth in the Premier League.

The Black Cats struck penalties early in either half, with Darren Bent scoring the first and Jones the second.

Sunderland defender John Mensah chested the ball into his own net before Kevin Doyle equalised from close range.

But Jones restored his team's lead with a long-range strike before Michael Turner's header and Bent's deflected shot sealed the win for the home side.

The game exploded into life after the break - with six second-half goals - but the scoreline was harsh on a Wolves side that enjoyed periods of superiority during the match.

Mick McCarthy failed to win a top-flight game at home in 19 attempts as manager of Sunderland and leaves the Stadium of Light as a loser once again.

But at least he has the small consolation of seeing his team demonstrate their attacking potential.

Sunderland's sequence of lose one, win one continues but boss Steve Bruce, who saw his team defeat Hull 4-1 in their last home game, can be delighted with the form of first-choice strikeforce Bent and Jones.

Nevertheless, it was a far from convincing all-round performance from the Black Cats, who looked shaky at the back and squandered possession far too easily.

Bent opened the scoring after nine minutes with his sixth goal of the Premier League season, ensuring that he has now scored in five of Sunderland's seven top-flight fixtures.

The striker's spot-kick nestled in the bottom corner, eluding Wayne Hennessy's desperate dive, but Wolves were furious with referee Lee Mason's decision to award a penalty.

It was a very difficult call for the official, although replays suggested that Segundo Castillo made contact with the ball before he tangled with Bent.

Wolves had a strong penalty shout of their own after the half hour when Turner knocked Doyle out of the way as he attempted to head clear an Andy Keogh cross but Mason waved play on.

The visiting team's irritation was nearly compounded by another Sunderland goal, but Hennessey blocked at the legs of Jones and then regained his feet to make a decent save when the striker audaciously shot from a tight angle seconds later.

It was a very competitive match, with crunching tackles and honest endeavour outweighing moments of great skill.

Wolves started to take control of the contest during the first half and came close to an equaliser when David Edwards flicked the ball towards Keogh at the far post. But the striker could not quite make the decisive contact.

Then deep in first-half injury time, Doyle headed narrowly wide from a Matt Jarvis free-kick with Craig Gordon well beaten.

The visitors' hopes of taking something from the match suffered when Christophe Berra fouled Bent minutes after the restart.

It was a definite penalty - and although eyebrows were raised when Jones rather then Bent took the kick, the dreadlocked striker sent Hennessey the wrong way.

Wolves responded immediately, although there was a hint of fortune as Gordon palmed a cross straight at Mensah, who inadvertently guided the ball into this own net off his chest.

Sunderland left-back Kieran Richardson must be held responsible for Wolves' equaliser. His awful backpass left Gordon with no choice but to dive and palm the ball clear - in the process conceding an indirect free-kick.

Karl Henry's shot struck the wall but Doyle pounced on the rebound as Wolves scored their second in the space of five minutes.

The home side regained the lead through Jones' excellent finish with 20 minutes remaining. The Trinidad and Tobago striker shot low across goal from 25 yards, his precise effort eluding Hennessey's dive.

Sunderland then secured their fourth win of the season when Turner scored his first goal for the club with a header from a corner.

Wolves continued to attack, with Richardson heading off the line to prevent Greg Halford from scoring.

However, the final goal of the match went to the home side, with Bent's strike deflecting off Mancienne on its way to goal.