Sunderland 3-1 Birmingham: The Sunday Mirror match report

Darren Bent crashed through the 20 Premier League goals barrier in spectacular fashion, but the undoubted star of the show was Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon.

Britain’s most expensive keeper broke Birmingham hearts with a string of brilliant saves to surpass even his man-of-the-match display against Manchester City six days earlier.

The critics who questioned the £9million Scotsman’s credentials were made to eat their words as he helped Sunderland to open up a 10-point cushion on the relegation places.

Bent had shown exactly why manager Steve Bruce has issued a hands-off warning to the top Premier League club eyeing the England striker by scoring twice in the first 11 minutes.

But as Sunderland’s early promise wilted under a Birmingham barrage, the inspirational Gordon defied everything the visitors could throw at him in the first half.

He was eventually beaten by a classy Cameron Jerome finish on the hour, but continued to keep the visitors at bay, clawing out a Liam Ridgewell header as Birmingham laid siege to the home goal.

But Sunderland’s frayed nerves were finally eased in the 88th minute when Fraizer Campbell slotted home his fifth goal of the season.

Delighted boss Bruce feels Bent has given himself a great chance of going to the World Cup.

Bruce said: “Darren has scored 21 goals and it could easily have been 24 or 25. He is a natural finisher worth his weight in gold.

“It is quite an incredible achievement when you compare him with Didier Drogba or Wayne Rooney because he is playing for a team in the bottom half of the league. It is a big, big decision for Fabio Capello.”

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish , who knows all about Gordon from his days as Scotland manager, was also full of praise for both Gordon and his striking partner Bent.

McLeish said: “Craig Gordon was outstanding. He was every inch an international goalkeeper today.

“He made some fantastic saves and was their saviour. But Joe Hart also made a vital save from Kieran Richardson at 2-0 that could have killed the game off early on.

“We should have got something from the game given our second-half display. But you have to hand it to Bent for his finishing.”

Bent’s first on five minutes came after good work down the right involving Campbell and Alan Hutton.

Campbell’s ball into the box found Benjani, making his first start for Sunderland. The Zimbabwe striker fluffed his attempted shot but the ball fell kindly for Bent, who hit a crisp left-foot drive past Hart.

Six minutes later Sunderland were cruising as Bent scored his second. It stemmed from a magnificent diagonal ball from Steed Malbranque, which Bent collected to turn inside Scott Dann and smash another left footer beyond Hart.

It should have put the match beyond Birmingham but the brilliant Gordon was in constant action and his best save in the first half saw him tip a Christian Benitez effort on to the bar.

Birmingham took the game by the scruff of the neck after the break as they pinned Sunderland back for long spells.

Once again only the inspirational Gordon stood between McLeish’s men and a flurry of goals.

But he was eventually beaten by a superb finish from Jerome, who was put clear by a clever pass from Michel.

That breakthrough led to incredible pressure on the Sunderland goal, but Gordon was in no mood to be beaten again as he ­ single-handedly kept the visitors at bay.

And with just minutes left brilliant work by substitute Jordan Henderson ended with his superb near post cross that was swept home by Campbell.