Craig Gordon

By The Black Cats
August 27 2009

Sunderland have gone through to the next round of the Carling Cup with an impressive 4-1 away win over Norwich City. The Black Cats goals were scored by Teemu Tainio, Andy Reid (2) and an own goal. Keeper Craig Gordon made his return to first team football and looked confident and made some very good saves.

Sunderland took the lead through Teemu Tainio after some good work by Kenwyne Jones who shrugged a Norwich player off before squaring the ball to Tainio who drove it past ex-Sunderland keeper Ben Alnwick.

Andy Reid then scored two, one a sublime chip over the keeper while running at full pelt, which had it been scored by a top 4 player, would still be playing on Sky Sports News every 45 seconds.

The fourth goal came from an Andy Reid corner, deflecting in off Norwich player Tudur Jones.

The game was darkened by what could've been a serious injury to Frazier Campbell after he was pushed head first into the on rushing Ben Alnwick resulting in the Norwich defender receiving a straight red.

Thankfully, Campbell, is just 'a  bit sore', but has no broken bones.

"People needed a game," said Bruce.  "The lads who've come into the team tonight have been itching to play, and I'm absolutely delighted with the result and some of the performances.

"I've got happy memories of Norwich - that club gave me my chance and it's always special to come back and see some familiar faces."

"Andy Reid's done extremely well with his fitness and conditioning - he's come back and lost something like nine kilos from last year. All he can do is play like that and he's posed a few questions.

"That's the nice part of management, when you've got people knocking on the door, so we'll see what happens.

"It was the first time I've seen Craig Gordon live and he made two or three wonderful saves.  We were comfortable but the goalkeeper's had to make a couple of really important saves."

"The more the game went on, the more assured he looked and he'll be a good player for us, that's for sure," Bruce commented.  "You can see why he's captained his country and he'll be fine once he's mastered the language."