SOCCER/Sunderland 2 Portsmouth 0:Perhaps this was an omen. Harry Redknapp ventured within 15 miles of Tyneside, and his team fell apart. Keep away, Harry, keep well away.
Kieran Richardson took full advantage of some abject defending straight out of the current Newcastle United coaching manual to propel Sunderland to only their third victory in 17 games, giving them renewed hope in their attempts to climb out of the bottom three.
A four-month absence with a stress fracture of the back has given Richardson little chance to prove himself following a €7 million summer move from Manchester United. Yesterday, that all changed.
"Kieran's still not match fit," the manager, Roy Keane, revealed. "But he remains one of the quickest players I've come across over 10 yards and you saw that today."
Benjani Mwaruwari had wasted the visitors' clearest opening from close range before Richardson and Kenwyne Jones combined for the opening goal on 33 minutes. Jones, a bundle of energy all afternoon despite a lack of match fitness, comprehensively outmuscled Sol Campbell to reach Jonny Evans's upfield punt and, as the Portsmouth defender appealed for a clearly non-existent foul, Sunderland's top scorer cut the ball back to reward Richardson's attacking instincts. The midfielder surged into the area past a half-hearted Pedro Mendes challenge to steer a low left-footed shot past David James from eight yards.
The second goal a minute before the interval was more of Richardson's own making, as the one-time England midfielder took possession from Daryl Murphy on the edge of the area before easily outpacing a ponderous Hermann Hreidarsson to fire an angled drive into the bottom corner of the net.
James was similarly helpless as a 25-yard Richardson effort thudded against the bar early in the second half, the last time either side came close to scoring in the second half.
"Jones was nowhere near fit, he was about 60 or 70 per cent," Keane revealed after what was only Sunderland's second clean sheet since the season's opening day. He added: "I don't normally ask my players to go out there unless they're at least 80 per cent but he showed he's one of the players we can't do without."
Portsmouth, now apparently taking their shocking home form with them on the road, are feeling the pinch of a squad blighted by injury and significant African Cup of Nations absentees. "Give Sunderland some credit, but we can't afford to be without five or six first-team players like we were," Redknapp said.
Sunderland rediscovered the passion, commitment and enthusiasm they so lamentably lacked in the depressing FA Cup defeat by Wigan Athletic and richly deserved this result, which could prove to be a turning point in a season so far largely of struggle.
"I'm not sure if this is our best display of the season but it's two goals, a clean sheet and a very good day for us. You've got to tackle, and you've got to hit people and put them out of their stride. Even Anthony Stokes tackled someone. That gives us all hope," Keane said.
