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Steven Fletcher struck twice forWolves to spoil spectator MartinO’Neill’s Sunderland initiation

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Stoke shock Goodison Park with winover Everton, Sunderland defeated infront of manager-in-waiting MartinO’NeillWolves 2 – 1 Sunderland

Sunderland’s season went from bad toworse as they slipped to a 2-1 defeatat fellow strugglers Wolves. The BlackCats were unable to draw inspirationfrom new boss Martin O’Neill’sattendance at Molinuex, and StevenFletcher scored two late goals toplunge them further into relegationstrife.

An excellent attack involvingStephane Sessegnon and NicklasBendtner lead to a blistering finish byKieran Richardson to give Sunderlandthe lead.

The match then turned in a oneminute spell 18 minutes from time,when Sunderland should have gone 2-0 up only for the scores to be levelled.

Sebastian Larsson, in his 200th league appearance, had his penalty saved by WayneHennessey and 25 seconds after this costly miss, Sunderland were made to pay,Fletcher losing his marker to head a Matt Jarvis cross powerfully past KeirenWestwood.

Then, with the away side wobbling, Wolves took the lead. Fletcher controlled aJamie O’Hara pass to lash in a magnificent half volley. The goal came with a note ofcontroversy, as Sunderland’s appeal for handball against O’Hara before the tellingpass was waved away by referee Phil Dowd.

Wolves held on to record only a fourth league win this term, twice the number theWearsider’s have managed, leaving O’Neill an arduous task to save Sunderland’stempestuous season.

Everton 0 – 1 Stoke

Everton’s frustrating season continued as a first-half Robert Huth goal gave Stoke afirst win at Goodison Park since 1981. The German defender profited from slackmarking to divert a Dean Whitehead volley past Tim Howard in the Everton goal.

In a dour match, the Toffees barely looked like scoring the goals which would haveallowed them to achieve three consecutive wins for the first time in three years,while a good week got better for the visitors after their midweek Europa Leagueprogression, and this was largely due to a resolute and determined defensiveperformance.

The Toffees’ inadequate final ball contributed to their impotence in attack, but theyshould have gone in front early on, Russian winger Dimitar Bilyaletdinov scuffing hisvolley horribly wide.

Stoke’s feared prowess from the set piece almost told soon after, Ryan Shottonnodding wide from a corner with the goal gaping.

Chances at either end for Marouane Fellaini and Peter Crouch did not trouble thescoreboard, and it took until the 82nd minute for the home side to instil somebelated urgency into a scrappy game when Jack Rodwell’s goal bound shot wasblocked by Andy Wilkinson.

But Stoke’s resilience in defence was a winning component sorely lacking from thefirst three months of their season, despite injuries suffered by Jonathan Woodgateand keeper Thomas Sorensen.

Before the match, Everton paid tribute to former player and fan Gary Speed whodied last Sunday.

Graham Vincent

Related Tags: everton, Football, martin o'neill, stoke, sunderland, wolverhampton

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Added: December 4th, 2011Author: Graham VincentCategory: Football, Sport

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