Henderson & Campbell

By The Black Cats
September 23 2009

Sunderland beat Alex McLeish's Birmingham City by 2 goals to nil at the Sunderland Stadium of Light last night. It was a match in which Sunderland always looked like they were going to win. Paulo Da Silva and John Mensah both played a full 90 minutes and Fraizer Campbell got off the mark at the club.

Da Silva and Mensah both looked calm, assured and comfortable on the ball as well as looking great defensively.

It looks like Anton Ferdinand's time in the first team will be limited.

Youngster Jordan Henderson opened the scoring for Sunderland in the 4th minute - dedicating his first senior goal to his parents.

Fraizer Campbell then doubled the Black Cats lead midway through the first half with a good header.

After Campbell's goal the tie as a competition was all but over, with Birmingham causing very little in the way of problems for the Sunderland defence.

Lorik Cana also showed his class, spraying long diagonal balls out to the wings with precision.

It was one of those games where you just knew we were going to win after the first goal, a game in which to sit back and relax.

John Mensah poked the ball home only for the goal to be - wrongly - disallowed for an infringement that the referee thought he saw leaving Steve Bruce furious.

"It was a very, very decent performance, very pleasing," Bruce said. "We were in control after we scored early on and I'm delighted we're through to the next round.

"At times some of our football was excellent, and the two boys at the back gave us a bit of solidarity, experience and know-how. I don't think our goalkeeper's had a serious shot to save."

Bruce added: I'm delighted for Jordan [getting his goal]. The kid's had a great pre-season and I think he'll be a big player for the club.

"There's nothing like your first goal and he epitomised what we are all about today - he was full of life, full of energy and it was a very, very good performance from the kid.

"Fraizer's worked extremely hard over the last few weeks too so I'm pleased he got off the mark as well.

"I think the referee felt a bit sorry for them in the last half-hour - he seemed to give them everything. I've seen the replay of John Mensah's goal and it should have stood."

"Realistically, this trophy is one of the only ones we can win, along with the FA Cup. A nice draw in the next round and you never know.

"I'm not too bothered who we get as long as it's at home and I'm delighted with tonight's result."