Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough: Daily Mirror match report
Published 21:09 29/01/12 By Simon Bird
Frazier Campbell has waited 21 months for his latest Sunderland goal, an agonising period punctuated by two knee ligament injuries, and the torment of hours of lonely rehabilitation.
But playing his first game since August 2010, the 24-year-old found the enthusiasm and energy to sprint 86 yards on the counter attack to produce a crisp finish and rescue Sunderland’s FA Cup hopes.
Campbell said last night it was impossible to describe the agonies he has been through since he was last a regular, and bad luck and knee trouble set back a burgeoning career that was just taking off at the Stadium of Light.
Mirroring his infectious, bubbly personality off the pitch, the former Manchester United striker came off the bench at half time to add some spark to Martin O’Neill’s strike force which was labouring to break down a hard working, solid looking Boro.
No doubt he remembers that the last time he netted was back in April 2010 in a 2-1 win over Burnley. The relish with which he lashed home from 16 yards with one of his first touches, showed. It levelled a competitive cup tie that saw Championship promotion chasers Boro give as good as they received from the home side.
Campbell’s goal came in the 58th minute, and it was unfortunate that Barry Robson’s error, in Tony Mowbray’s words, “laid the goal on a plate” for the top flight side.
The Scottish midfielder was the best player on the pitch, controlling the game, mopping up loose balls, and showing composure, until he tried to pass back to Seb Hines as Sunderland broke at pace.
His scuffed lob, instead of a simple hoof out for a throw in, was seized by the excellent James McClean, who raced forward, and crossed for Campbell to crash home first time. At the time Sunderland only had ten men on the pitch as Wes Brown limped off.
That moment sparked relief for Sunderland in a testy match, which will now be replayed a week on Tuesday with the rewards of a home tie against Arsenal/Aston Villa.
Mowbray revealed: “Barry doesn’t need to apologise. He came in and threw his man of the match champagne in the bin. I don’t think he is a drinker anyway.
“He was frustrated, disappointed. He is an emotional boy. But Barry leads from the front. He has a heart the size of a lion and we do well for us this season. It was the nature of that goal that annoyed him.”
Robson was set to be Boro’s goal hero too. It was his wonderful volley that set the Teessiders up for victory after 16 minutes.
Faris Haroun lofted the ball into the box and John O’Shea headed clear at the second attempt, to Robson on the left of the box. His well struck left footer would have been a worthy winner.
Mowbray added: “We are pleased with our efforts but the dressing room is slightly disappointed we didn’t come through with the win. We handed their equaliser on a plate to them. We could have lost heart after that but we looked like we could get a winner. It was a good derby game, started attritional and when it loosened of it was a decent football match.
“Are we favourites now? We have usually found it easier to get results away from home. But I hope it catches the imagination of the Teesside public and that can make the difference and they turn up in numbers.
“They are probably a form team in the Premeir League and was can take positives from the way we played against them. For half an hour we had to stay in the game. It wasn’t a great spectacle. But as it developed we moved it around. I have watched a few Sunderland games and everyone has seen the possession stats. You could argue Sunderland are set up not to be beaten yet the counter attack well.”
There was an element of controversy before half time when referee Kevin Friend ruled out a goal from Craig Gardner. The assistant referee flagged Connor Wickham for being offside. The debate was whether, as the rules require, he was “intentionally distracting” the goal keeper.
O’Neill collared Friend in the tunnel at half time to complain. Replays showed that Gardner handles in the build up, but Friend told O’Neill that wasn’t why the shot was disallowed.
Mowbray concluded: “Whether offside or handball they got it right in the end. There were a swathe of decisions that went against us in the second half. At first I was bemused why it was not given. It was offside. He caught it. Thankfully the linesman stayed strong.”
Boro will garner strength from a strong performance, but their problem is winning at home, not away.
Mowbray added: “The target for us it to get back and compete with Sunderland and Newcastle on a weekly basis. On the evidence of this we have to keep going and see where it takes us. There are fine margins in this game.”
Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough: Daily Mirror match report
