Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal: Grant Leadbitter pays moving tribute after super strike

Arsene Wenger complained about a disallowed goal that should have stood, and hinted that Sunderland had been too defensive.

Roy Keane argued that Arsenal won't win the title this season, and reflected on a tactical job expertly done.

But as two managers digested the fall-out from a gripping finale, Sunderland scorer Grant Leadbitter told a human story that put the football arguments into perspective.

When local lad Leadbitter crashed home a brilliant 30- yard right-foot drive, his first goal this season, there was one special personal tribute he wanted to pay.

The 22-year-old sprinted to the halfway line in front of the dug-out and fell to his knees, kissing the ground. Beneath that spot, Lead bitter had his father's ashes buried following his sudden death thissummer in his early 50s.

In front of 40,199 people, Leadbitter spent a private momen to freflection amid the celebrations. There were some tears too. His late dad Brian, whospent hours training Grant as a kid, would have been the proudest man on Wearside.

And Leadbitter junior couldn't have paid a more dignified and poignant tribute.

"People close to me know why I went down on the floor like I did and I just want to leave it at that," he said. "The people who know me know why I kissed that area of the ground.

"My dad's ashes are buried there. I don't want to go on about it, it just means a lot to me and my family. It's exactly that spot and it was always my intention to do something like that when I scored my first goal here.

"But today was not just about me, it was about the team. We got the point and that's what matters for Sunderland. I had people close to mein the stand and I looked towards them and they know what it's all about."

Leadbitter, whose style has been likened by Sunderland manager Keane to Paul Scholes, produced his wonder strike with five minutes to go, just after coming on as a sub.

He added: "My right foot is getting a bit of a reputation. I need to improve on my goals return because it's a long time since I scored. But I couldn't have hit that one any sweeter."

Wenger's men, who were undone by a cracker scored by Hull last week, had the character to hit back in injurytime with a Cesc Fabregas header to win a point. Keane's tactics posed Arsenal plenty of problems and the Gunners appeared to have run out of ideas in how to break down a solid defensive wall.

Arsenal manager Wenger said: "Sunderland did adopt a defensive attitude. They gave us the ball and said 'Listen, we are happy with 0-0, do what you want,' and the story of the game was that instead of getting the 0-0, they almost won the game."

Robinvan Persie did have the ball in the net but a linesman wrongly ruled that the ball had gone out of play before Theo Walcott cut it back from the byline.

"Theo says that the ball was in," said Wenger. "I have to believe him, but anyway, it doesn't change anything now. It's just another argument for video replays."

The two managers were divided on whether Gunners have what it takes to challenge for the title.

Keane said: "Will they finish first? I don't think so.I think Chelsea and United are stronger."

Arsenal's current league position looks relatively healthy, but they have yet to face a top-four rival and instead have played a host of teams who you'd expect to be in the bottom half come May.

"We need to win every game, but I think against Sunderland and against Hull we have been a bit unlucky," said Wenger.

"Every shot on goal against us at the moment seems to go in. There's nothing we can do about that. We have to get over this, but I still believe that we have enough quality to win against the top teams."

Sunderland: Gordon 6, Chimbonda 7, Ferdinand 7, Collins 7, McCartney 7, Malbranque 6 (Chopra 87), White head, 6 Yorke 7 (Leadbitter 84), Reid 6, Richardson 7, Cisse 7 (Murphy 88). GOAL: Leadbitter 86.

Arsenal: Almunia 7, Sagna 7, Toure 7, Gallas 7, Clichy 7, Walcott 7 (Bendtner 66, 7),

Denilson 7 (Nasri 73, 7), Fabregas 7, Song 7 (Vela 87), Van Persie 7, Adebayor 6.

Goal: Fabregas 90. REFEREE: Lee Mason ATTENDANCE: 40,199.

COMPUTER

GUNNERS GET LATE REWARD

BALL POSSESSION

32%

68%

FACE TO FACE

1 Corners 7

4 Offside 1

66% Pass completion 87%

30 Tackles 14

12 Fouls 14

3 Cards 4

SHOTS

3 off target 7

5 on target 6

YOU THE MANAGER

Man Of The Match (Worth an extra two Fantasy League points)

Grant Leadbitter (SUND'LAND)

It was just like watching Waddle at Italia 90 as he skied his penalty 8

VILLAIN OF THE MATCH

Assistant referee 2

Ruled the ball out of play when Theo Walcott kept it in and found Van Persie to score

ANORAK

Arsenal have had 12 different scorers this season - eight different ones in the Premier League

NEXT THREE GAMES

SUNDERLAND

Sat Oct 18: Fulham (a) Prem

Sat Oct 25: Newcastle (h) Prem

Wed Oct 29: Stoke (a), Prem

ARSENAL

Sat Oct 18: Everton (h) Prem

Tue Oct 21: Fenerbahce (a) C Lge

Sun Oct 26: West Ham (a) Prem

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