Sunderland 2 Wolves 1:They have known enough bad days on Wearside over the past five years to notice a good one when it turns up, so special occasions stick out even more. And for the second time in six weeks, this felt like a special afternoon at the Stadium of Light.
The sun shone for a start, more than 40,000 turned up, Sunderland won, Roy Keane smiled and at the end they played the theme from Taxi in honour of Niall Quinn. As with the 2-1 win over Derby County in February, the best came last: then it was Liam Miller's injury-time winner; on Saturday it was news that Birmingham City had lost at home to Burnley.
Miller's winner elevated Sunderland to fourth and spiked self-belief; Saturday's results took them back to second and increased the feeling that Sunderland have Tiger Woods's Big Mo - momentum.
Derby's draw at Leicester City on Friday, allied to Birmingham's defeat, means Sunderland are second, one point off Derby but with superior goal difference.
Birmingham are still best-placed with their game in hand, but three of the Blues' last four games are away from home.
Perhaps the most obvious strength of Keane's management at this stage is his refusal to accept any congratulations: nothing has been won, nothing has been achieved. Perhaps the most obvious strength of his team is their willingness to absorb that lesson. "In terms of holding our nerve, the team is a reflection of the manager," said Saturday's winning goalscorer, Ross Wallace, "and we're just playing under his instructions." Thus, enjoyable as it was for locals, satisfaction will last only if defeat is avoided at Southampton today. The trip to St Mary's is their most difficult in the run-in.
"You look at the goals Southampton have scored," Keane said. "I think they have more shots on goal than any other team in the Championship, so they're very attack-minded. Southampton have traditionally been a good team. I expect Monday to be a cracking game."
Cracking at Easter, however, is not in Keane's thoughts. "Don't judge a book by the cover," he said when it was suggested he appeared calm on the touchline as Sunderland hit a post through Stern John that might have made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time, then missed chances in the second half. That allowed Andy Keogh's sharp finish for Wolves to cause anxiety in the last 25 minutes. "But we're in good form," Keane stressed. "The players are in good spirits, they keep giving their all. I feel lucky to be working with them."
And vice-versa.
When Keane inherited Sunderland they were 23rd. There was that initial burst of success but even by November, when they drew 1-1 at home to Southampton, Sunderland were 19th. But in the 24 league games since, Sunderland have lost only two. When asked what pleased him most about this performance Keane replied: "Winning."
Wallace provided the decider, a 63rd-minute header from a Daryl Murphy cross.
Murphy, signed by Mick McCarthy for £100,000 from Waterford United, scored the first, a sweet slice of skill from an unpredictable performer.
It was McCarthy's first return since his dismissal last March and the welcome was warm.
Wolves did enough to suggest they have the 6-0 home defeat to Southampton out of their system, but must show it today against Hull City to re-establish play-offs faith.
McCarthy generously highlighted Nyron Nosworthy's display - he signed him on a free from Gillingham: "Nuggsy has gone and played at centre-half, which he never would for me. He never fancied it, in spite of my protestations. Maybe Roy's got more ability to coerce somebody to play out of position."
Guardian Service
SUNDERLAND: Ward, Simpson (Leadbitter 71), Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Edwards, Whitehead, Liam Miller, Wallace (Connolly 82), Murphy, John (Elliott 72). Subs not used: Fulop, Varga. Booked: Nosworthy, Whitehead, Liam Miller.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Murray (Budtz 72), Little, Breen, Neill Collins, Clapham, Kightly (Bothroyd 62), Olofinjana, Potter, McIndoe, Ward (Craig Davies 82), Keogh. Subs not used: Craddock, McNamara. Booked: Keogh.
Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).
