Sunderland has taken a 1-0 lead on West Ham United, getting a 34th minute goal from Jordan Henderson. The opening tally came after Asamoah Gyan was played behind the Hammers’ line, rolling a ball from the right flank to the middle of the area, where Henderson came on for an easy finish.
Sunderland Vs. West Ham United: Jordan Henderson Gives Black Cats First Half Lead
Gyan was able to get behind the line thanks to James o, the right-center half for West Ham who kept the Sunderland attacker onside. As West Ham tried to push their line 35 yards from goal, Tompkins was late getting up field. As a result, Sunderland right back Nedum Onouha was able to chip a ball from just inside his own half to 20 yards from the byline, Gyan already well behind Hammers left back Danny Gabbidon.
As Gabbidon and left-center half Matthew Upson tried to recover, Gyan was able to spot the oncoming Henderson. From the right side of the West Ham area, Gyan rolled a ball toward the spot, allowing Henderson to open his right foot onto a first time shot, giving Robert Green little chance for a save.
Sunderland had controlled the previous 30 minutes, their midfield of Henderson and Lee Cattermole having the better of play in the middle of the pitch. But that control had let to very few chances, with each goalkeeper allowed relatively easy halves.
Now just beyond the 40th minute, that tenor has returned to the match. Sunderland still looked the better of the sides, but Robert Green has not been asked another serious question. The match looks destined to go to half, 1-0 Sunderland.
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