During a game where Sunderland were largely second best against local rivals Middlesbrough, the greatest joy came from the fact that Frazier Campbell scored on his return to the team after eighteen months
out injured.
Campbell had been extremely unfortunate since joining Sunderland, with a stop-start feel ensuring that supporters only saw glimpses of what he could do in front of goal.
Truthfully, Sunderland were awful for large parts of the game, failing to bring any flow to their game with many passes going astray and indecisive defending putting them in trouble on countless occasions.
This allowed the away side — then managed by Tony Mowbray — to deservedly take the lead in the first half through Barry Robson after Sunderland defender John O’Shea couldn’t clear his lines despite three bites at the cherry.
Mowbray’s team deserved the lead and with Marvin Emnes proving a complete nuisance up top, they were creating some decent openings.
Despite this, Sunderland were almost on level terms at the break after Craig Gardner had scored, yet although everything seemed fine with the goal, it wasn’t until the linesman’s flag was raised on the far side that the celebrations were cut short.
Upon watching the replays, it was clear that Gardner had handled it on the way to putting the ball in the bottom corner with his left foot.
However, following discussions between the officials, an offside call against Connor Wickham was given as the reason for the goal being ruled out. In truth, Wickham was in an offside position but didn’t touch the ball as it went across his path, and the goal should have been chalked off — but not for the reason given.
In the second half, the intensity of the home team certainly improved but yet quality was lacking. At the interval, Wickham was replaced by Campbell; his enthusiasm provided that little bit of quality we needed to get back into the game, and within minutes, it had turned into the sort of comeback Campbell must’ve dreamed of.
When Robson’s slapdash pass was intercepted by James McClean, the Irishman counterattacked with pace before slipping the former Manchester United forward a beautifully weighted delivery. With his first and composed touch, Campbell gleefully shot low into the bottom corner to bring us level.
The release of eighteen months’ worth of hardship was visible and it was a beautiful sight to behold as at times, it must’ve seemed like he may never return.
Campbell’s goal ensured this game ended in a draw but it was the away side who could’ve nicked it as an overzealous Phil Bardsley tried to clear from a corner but almost headed past his own goalkeeper in Simon Mignolet.
In addition, a late chance for McClean was the closest Sunderland came to finding a winner but a draw was probably a fair result and it ensured that they would have to do it all over again at the Riverside Stadium.
