Blackburn Rovers 2, Sunderland 1 (aet)

Feb 5 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

IF Michael Chopra's crucial derby day miss set the conspiracy theorists chattering, Benni McCarthy’s dramatic extra-time winner last night will have had them logging on in their droves.

Sunderland are out of an FA Cup competition they showed little interest in being in thanks to a gift of a goal from the Black Cats’ back four. Like most conspiracy theories, though, this one had no grounding in reality. But the poorness of their defending was cruel on Craig Gordon who, along with David Healy, ensured this fourth round tie very nearly went the distance.

Gordon was left horribly exposed as his back four pushed up for offside at Carlos Villanueva’s free-kick. Stood alone on the edge of the six-yard box, McCarthy glanced a header beyond Gordon.

Gordon and Healy, crucial figures in their national sides, are facing uncertain futures at club level. Given a rare chance to impress at a half-empty Ewood Park, both took it.

Scotsman Gordon was the man-of-the-match in only his second start since mid-October. And Northern Irishman Healy proved his goalscoring instincts have not been blunted by inactivity, notching his first Sunderland goal in only his third appearance for the club. Gordon’s first save came in the third minute. He stretched out to tip Zurab Khizanishvili’s header on to his post, and watched Andy Reid clean up the rebound. Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper touched Keith Treacy’s shot away after 16 minutes and soon after had to save from Villanueva. It was a poor free kick from Blackburn’s most impressive reserve, but the presence of ex-Sunderland loanee Danny Simpson made it far more difficult.

When Villanueva turned creator, Gordon got down well to push away Jason Robert’s low shot. But he could not keep Blackburn at bay for ever.

He was spared from having to use his gloves when Danny Collins threw himself in the way of a ferocious Villanueva strike. But there was no way he was stopping Aaron Mokoena’s shot from the rebound. The 25-yarder had pace and enough swerve to beat Gordon. The wonderful goal was an equaliser. Healy had been on his mettle as early as the seventh minute to give his side a lead one could have suspected they did not want looking at their team-sheet. Daryl Murphy’s shot hit Ryan Nelsen and when it rebounded, Healy displayed the predatory instincts normally only seen nowadays in emerald green.

The much-travelled striker’s alertness and undisputed finishing ability suggest he should be seen far more often in red-and-white between now and May than he was in the first half of the season. The chances dried up after his early flurry. The most trouble he caused Paul Robinson thereafter was when Grant Leadbitter’s shot ballooned off him.

Another hoping to impress was debutant Michael Kay. The 19-year-old from Shotley Bridge showed the right commitment, but not timing. He was booked for fouling Treacy and fortunately Phil Dowd did not get over-excited about a hefty challenge on Roberts.

When he fouled Treacy again in the 54th minute, the lecture was a stern one. His first Sunderland appearance lasted until the ball next went out of play.

The second half brought no let-up in Gordon’s work-rate. Having bulleted over from a corner in the first half, Roque Santa Cruz’s head forced a good save two minutes after the restart, the Scot tipping over.

Gordon remained busy. He could not lay a hand on Roberts’ shot on the turn but trapped it with his legs. When his defence left Khizanishvili criminally unmarked at the far post from Villanueva’s 72nd-minute free-kick, he was lucky the Georgian finished like a defender. The extra-time that seemed likely at the start, now looked inevitable, particularly because when Villanueva had earlier taken matters into his own hands from another set piece, Gordon produced another excellent tip-over.

Murphy had a great opportunity to spare himself another 30 minutes’ work when Edwards’ cross curled towards him. But sliding in, he succeeded only in trickling the ball goalwards.

Nathan Luscombe made his debut at half-time of an extra-time in which Sunderland had more shots, but only two caused Robinson any trouble. When he failed to hold a long-range effort from captain Leadbitter, Khizinashvili swept up. The save from Edwards’ wickedly deflected shot 10 minutes from the end was all his own work.

Villanueva went on a good run in the 104th minute. He passed to Treacy, who pulled the ball behind everyone in the area. Until McCarthy’s 118th-minute gift, Roberts, though, had the best chance of the period and with time to pick his spot, he should have.