SUNDERLAND 2
Fletcher 5’, Borini 84’
NEWCASTLE UNITED 1
Debuchy 57’
Victory over Newcastle on Sunday was only worth three points for Sunderland, but what a three points.
Fabio Borini’s stunning goal six minutes from time at the Stadium of Light not only gave Sunderland bragging rights over their northeastern neighbours, it pulled the hosts off the bottom of the table, an important psychological boost for a club in such dire need of good news.
Steven Fletcher gave Sunderland the lead in the Tyne-Wear derby after just five minutes. Mathieu Debuchy leveled for Newcastle in the 57th minute with a close-range header and the visitors caused fraught nerves throughout the crowd, but Borini took a lay-off from Jozy Altidore and hit a swerving shot that left Tim Krul with no chance.
Sunderland now sit 19th in the Premier League with four points, one better than Crystal Palace, who themselves are in search of a boost similar to that which new manager Gus Poyet has provided Sunderland.
Sunderland match-winner Fabio Borini hopes his side’s dramatic 2-1 derby victory over Newcastle will be the catalyst that turns their season around.
On-loan Liverpool striker Borini climbed off the bench to fire home a brilliant 84th-minute winner to give new Sunderland manager Gus Poyet victory in his first home match in charge.
Asked if he hopes the win will transform Sunderland’s fortunes, Borini told Sky Sports 1: “We all hope so.”
Borini, however, also admitted his side need to try to perform as well in every game as they did in this one.
“We gave it everything today, it was obviously a special game, but we need to show that every game is as special to us as this game. We won this game and hopefully we’ll get a few wins now,” he added.
“If we play like we played today with a little bit more calm on the ball we can really improve our game.”
Borini also hailed the impact of Poyet.
The Italy international said: “Lots of the work we’ve done is because of him.
“He came in and gave us the enjoyment we needed and obviously the football. So now it’ll take a little bit of time to improve again, but that’s a great first step.”
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1
Soldado 80’ (pen)
HULL CITY 0
A second half Roberto Soldado penalty salvaged all three points for Tottenham Hotspur following a largely frustrating performance against a spirited Hull side at White Hart Lane.
The visitors defended well and limited Spurs’ opportunities before Soldado coolly slotted home his third match-winning penalty of the season with the 1-0 victory moving Tottenham back into the Premier League top four.
The deciding goal came from the penalty spot in the 79th minute as Ahmed Elmohamady was adjudged to have handled a Jan Vertonghen cross from the edge of the box.
Alex Bruce was livid with the decision as Elmohamady as the Egypt international was in close proximity to Vertonghen but the ball struck him on the hand and Soldado stepped up to convert his third penalty of the season.
Andros Townsend then required lengthy treatment after he crashed into the advertising hoardings and fell into the photographers’ pit behind the Hull goal and returned with a bandaged wrist.
SWANSEA CITY 0
WEST HAM UNITED 0
West Ham United picked up a hard-earned point on the road with a turgid goalless draw at Swansea City.
The Hammers’ dead-ball threat troubled their hosts all afternoon, with Angel Rangel hooking a long Razvan Rat free-kick off the line while Guy Demel and Kevin Nolan also spurned good chances.
Jussi Jaaskelainen made two point-blank stops to deny Chico Flores and Wilfried Bony at the other end, and the hosts also had a late penalty appeal for handball against Joe Cole turned down as Swansea were left frustrated as the game finished 0-0.
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