They travelled 700 miles and packed out the away section only to be defeated inside nine minutes. Even when hope was long extinguished they, with few exceptions, stayed there until the end. Yet for how much longer can Sunderland’s supporters put up with the near-perpetual state of despair at their club? Nothing comes easy to football fans in the north-east these days and after another diabolical performance the manager, Dick Advocaat, felt compelled to apologise to those who made the journey and said he and the players should feel “ashamed”.
The Dutchman was furious on the touchline after his team conceded a soft Callum Wilson opener four minutes in before Matt Ritchie’s stupendous volley five minutes later. And while Sunderland improved and had a goal unfairly ruled out early in the second half – Jeremain Lens incorrectly called offside – Advocaat’s humour had turned to sadness by full-time. There was anger, too – directed at the players and himself, vowing to take a good, strong look in the mirror before Tuesday’s Capital One Cup fixture at home to Manchester City where he will make several changes – but mostly sadness.
“We have to fight and have to work,” Advocaat said. “Last Sunday [against Tottenham] I thought we were going in the right direction against a good side but this was three steps back. For the fans it is a shame. We all are well-paid and they give a lot of money to see this game. I feel really sorry for them, honestly, and I really mean that. I will do everything I can for this club, for them, because they are great fans. And I said that to the players as well because we should be ashamed of what we did today. I told them that I will look in the mirror but you have to do it as well. Hopefully they will come back with an answer.”
When reminded of Newcastle’s similarly dire start to the season, above Sunderland only on goal difference, Advocaat threw a slight dig at their neighbours, suggesting that because of the significant amount of money United had spent in the transfer market there should not be comparisons made. “I don’t want to say something about that because they spent £50m, which is a little different to what we’ve done. We have played six games, and still have 32 left but we have to start [performing].” Sunderland, it should be noted, spent £33m in the summer window.
Advocaat’s demeanour could not have been more different to that of his opposite number, Eddie Howe, beaming courtesy of a first clean sheet and a first home victory in the top flight. Although Wilson and Ritchie lapped up the initial plaudits for their goals, the manager reserved praise for his defenders, not least a 37-year-old making his first league start for the club.
Sylvain Distin had replaced Tommy Elphick, due to an ankle injury, at centre-half and, described by his manager as the ultimate professional, marshalled the backline well – even if the paucity of Sunderland’s attack made it a comfortable afternoon. Distin allowed Jermain Defoe through on goal after an unfortunate slip, only for his goalkeeper, Artur Boruc, to save, but apart from that he did not put a foot wrong.
“You don’t keep a clean sheet without all aspects of the back four and the goalkeeper functioning,” Howe said. “The keeper made a huge save at 2-0. I thought Sylvain made a huge impact. It’s not easy coming in when you haven’t played for a while. His professionalism and dedication had a lasting impact for him.
“He’s very much a leader by example, sets the example every day in training. How to look after your body, how to train – the dedication shown by him is faultless really. My hope is that the other players follow his lead. To be still playing at his age is a true testament to how he looks after himself.”
Man of the match Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
