Bolton gets BENT by Sunderland 1-0

By: Stephen | August 15th, 2009

Five minutes in Black Cat newboy Darren Bent puts a goal in past Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen, to put the team ahead 1-0. I would have liked to put two more past Bolton, because they are beneath Sunderland, in everything: talent, management, structure, and history. Yes, I don’t like Bolton.

SAFC: Gordon, Bardsley, McCartney, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque (Henderson, 46), Richardson (Campbell, 76), Cana, Cattermole, Bent, Jones.

Subs Not Used: Edwards, Nosworthy, Leadbitter, Healy, Gordon.

Booked: Campbell (84).

Sent Off: None.

BWFC: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Robinson, Knight, Cahill, Muamba, McCann (Chung-Yong, 68), Taylor, Davis, K Davies, Elmander (Ward, 83).

Subs Not Used: Cohen, O’Brien, Davies, Samuel, Al-Habsi.

Booked: Muamba (65). Davis (67).

Sent Off: None.

ReactionBolton boss Gary Megson:
“I’m hugely disappointed in terms of the result and also the first half – we weren’t anywhere near like we needed to be.

“We gradually came into it. Sunderland were the better side in the first 45 minutes but it completely altered in the second half – we were on top.

“We spoke about wide free-kicks on Wednesday. We faced 74 last season and didn’t concede one goal from one. It was a fantastic header from Bent but our defending was not good enough.

“If we’d played in the first half like we played in the second we’d certainly have had a better result.”

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce:
“I can’t remember coming away from home and having so many chances like we did in the first half. If I could fault anything it would be not making the game safe.

“In the end the keeper had to produce a fantastic save – I think it would have been unjust mind you [if they had secured a draw].

“I thought we were outstanding in the first half, in the second half we had to dig deep a bit.

“Bent’s young. He’s the right age and it’s a great start for him. All the weeks of negotiation and hard work paid off, but overall I thought the team was very good. I’m very, very pleased.”

Sunderland scorer Darren Bent:
“I’m delighted to get a goal on my debut but it was more important that the team won.

“Lots of people were talking about the move and I just wanted to get off to the best possible start – it lifted a weight of my shoulders.”