Stern John made a second half appearance as Sunderland kept in the race for
automatic promotion with a 1-0 win over Cardiff City at Ninian Park on
Saturday. But John's former team, Coventry City didn't do him and his
teammates any favours as they were thrashed 3-0 by Birmingham City (another
of John's ex-clubs) as they moved to second spot on 74 points, one ahead of
Sunderland. And yes, another of John's past teams Derby County lead
the race for automatic promotion into the Premiership, topping the current
standings with 76 points.
 Sunderland's
winner came in the second half from substitute Ross Wallace, who drove in a
free-kick that deceived Neil Alexander at his near post.
The Bluebirds matched the visitors for long periods but rarely opened up
their defence.
Cardiff welcomed back fit again Michael Chopra and Riccardo Scimeca, while
new loan signing Warren Feeney was on the bench.
The strong wind made control difficult but the visitors adapted far better
to the conditions and Danny Collins headed over the bar in one of a number
of raids on the home goal.
In the 18th minute Stephen McPhail sent Peter Whittingham scurrying down the
left but Steven Thompson headed his cross wide when well placed.
Two minutes later Joe Ledley was worked through but Darren Ward tipped his
shot over the crossbar.
A swift break almost led to a Sunderland goal but Tobias Hysen failed to hit
the target from a Grant Leadbitter cross.
Simon Walton replaced Scimeca for the start of the second half and it was
now City's turn to take advantage of the conditions and they penned
Sunderland into their own half for long periods.
Midway through the half a Sunderland corner spelt danger as Jonny Evans
headed towards the top corner but Alexander leapt high to tip over.
Another snap-shot from Evans zipped over the bar as the Bluebirds failed to
clear their lines.
The breakthrough for Sunderland came with a soft goal in the 72nd minute
from a free-kick by substitute Wallace.
From fully 20 yards out he fired in a shot that Alexander could only push
into the corner of the net.
Feeney was brought on in place of Paul Parry and then Jason Byrne replaced
the tiring Chopra in a last throw of the dice by City boss Dave Jones, but
Sunderland held firm to just about deserve victory.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane later said he was pleased with the three
points,crediting his players' desire to improve.
"You have
to have hopes and that is the reason why I took the job.
"I could see the potential of this huge club... you look at the players'
spirit and desire to work hard.
"Okay, we are fulfilling some of that potential a little sooner than I
thought but we just want to get back in the Premiership as soon as
possible."
Sunderland: Ward, Collins,
Evans, Nosworthy, Simpson, Hysen (Wallace 57), Whitehead, Leadbitter (Stokes
73), Liam Miller, Murphy (John 72), Connolly.
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Tommy Miller.
Booked: Evans.
Goals: Wallace 72.
Cardiff: Alexander, Gunter, Johnson, McNaughton, Ledley, Parry (Feeney 74),
McPhail, Scimeca (Walton 46), Whittingham, Thompson, Chopra (Byrne 86).
Subs Not Used: Forde, Blake.
Booked: Whittingham, McPhail, Walton.
Att: 19,353.
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