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Swansea triumph but can't ruin Sunderland's celebration party Swansea triumph but can't ruin Sunderland's celebration party
(about 2 hours later)
When Wilfried Bony rounded off a wonderful debut season in the Premier League by scoring Swansea City's third goal, Sunderland's supporters embarked on an impromptu conga. When Wilfried Bony crowned a wonderful season by scoring Swansea City's third goal Sunderland supporters embarked on an impromptu conga.
More than 45,000 had congregated to celebrate something Gus Poyet dubbed "a miracle" and Ellis Short "the greatest escape" so, for once, there was no chances of their party being spoilt by a mere defeat. More than 45,000 had congregated by the River Wear to celebrate something Gus Poyet dubbed "a miracle" and Ellis Short "the greatest escape" so, for once, there was no chance of their party being spoilt by a mere defeat.
Like Sunderland's manager – who is understood to be staying at the Stadium of Light next season – and the owner, most of the club's fans could barely believe they had defied all odds and courtesy of what Short terms "a quite remarkable renaissance" somehow averted relegation. Like Sunderland's manager and owner, the fans could barely believe they had defied all odds to avert relegation. If this represented a regression to the bad old days following the past month's stunning renaissance, even Poyet was unperturbed.
Phil Bardsley was restored to Poyet's line-up at left-back but it did not take long for Wayne Routledge to confound him with a clever pass weighted beautifully for Nathan Dyer to accelerate on to. After checking momentarily, Dyer curled a left-footed shot across Vito Mannone and into the top corner. "It's been incredible," he said. "I'm really proud." Earlier in the day Poyet had held a productive meeting with Short which concluded in broad smiles. While fine details relating to budgets and spheres of influence are still to be finalised those in authority at the Stadium of Light are confident the Uruguayan will not be defecting to West Ham or anywhere else this summer.
Swansea's second goal proved equally impressive. After originating with a little luck – Jack Colback appeared to have been fouled but Chris Foy was not buying Sunderland's pleas - its preamble concluded with Bony slipping a pass through to Marvin Emnes. At that point John O'Shea blocked his path but, undeterred, Emnes swivelled his hips, turned the centre-half with seamless ease and shot beyond Mannone from the edge of the area. Even so Poyet responded coyly to a series of questions regarding his future before eventually ending the teasing and volunteering something concrete. "Yes," he said. "I expect to be Sunderland manager at the start of next season."
It took Sunderland around half an hour to begin waking but, gradually, incrementally, they began asserting themselves a little. Seb Larsson struck a post from distance and Kyle Bartley was arguably lucky not to concede a penalty in the wake of a perceived handball. The beginning of the end of this campaign arrived when Wayne Routlege confounded the recalled Phil Bardsley with a clever pass weighted beautifully for Nathan Dyer to accelerate onto. After checking momentarily, Dyer curled a left shot across Vito Mannone and into the top corner.
Poyet's side finally reduced the deficit early in the second half. Adam Johnson whipped in a corner and Fabio Borini dashed from deep to outleap his marker before beating Gerhard Tremmel with a header Swansea's goalkeeper touched but could not hold. Swansea's second goal proved equally impressive. After originating with a little luck – Jack Colback appeared to have been fouled in the preamble – it concluded with Bony slipping a pass through to Marvin Emnes. At that point John O'Shea blocked his path but, undeterred, Emnes shot beyond Mannone.
Sunderland were pressing for an equaliser but Bony had different ideas. Swansea's player of the season – an example of £12m extremely well spent – received possession in an unpromising position with his back to goal but, manoeuvring himself with skill, strength and subtlety succeeded in bewildering Poyet's defence. It came as no real surprise when the Ivorian polished things off by unleashing a right foot shot which went in off the base of a post. It took Sunderland around half an hour to begin waking but, gradually, incrementally, they started asserting themselves a little.
It was Bony's 25th goal of a glorious campaign in which he was largely responsible for banishing Swansea's relegation fears. With Sunderland's own anxieties erased rather more recently, their still jubilant fans responded by performing that impromptu conga. Early in the second half Adam Johnson whipped in a corner and Fabio Borini dashed from deep to outleap his marker before beating Gerhard Tremmel with a header Swansea's goalkeeper touched but could not hold.
With Garry Monk - newly handed the Swansea job on a permanent basis – having, sensibly, switched his formation from 4-4-2 to a much more defensive 4-5-1 there was no way back for the home side. No matter. "Poyet, Poyet," chanted the crowed. "Poyet, Poyet, give us a wave." Poyet's players pressed for an equaliser but Bony had different ideas. The Ivorian – an example of £12m extremely well spent – received possession in an unpromising position with his back to goal but, manoeuvring himself with skill, strength and subtlety succeeded in bewildering Poyet's defence. It came as no real surprise when he unleashed a right foot shot which went in off the base of a post. Cue that Wearside conga.
It was Bony's 25th goal of a glorious season in which he was largely responsible for banishing Swansea's own relegation fears and then helping secure Garry Monk's pleasingly attractive side 12th place.
With Monk having, sensibly, switched his formation from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 there was no way back for Sunderland. No matter. "Poyet, Poyet," chanted the crowed. "Poyet, Poyet, give us a wave."
Man of the match Wilfried Bony (Swansea)