Jordan Henderson’s first half goal was all Sunderland needed, with the 20-year-old’s 34th minute tally guiding the Black Cats to 1 -0 win over West Ham United. The victory vaults Sunderland into seventh, where they started the weekend, while sending the Hammers back to the bottom of the English Premier League table.
Sunderland Vs. West Ham United: Black Cats Stake Jordan Henderson Goal To 1-0 Win
It was a relatively straight-forward win for Sunderland, who used the Lee Cattermole-Kieran Richardson central midfield to control the match. Henderson was deploy wider, to the right in the middle of the field, coming in to give the Black Cats a numerical advantage to which West Ham never adjusted. Until the Hammers brought on Frederic Piquionne and Zavon Hines late in the match, their main entry route to attack was hoping Carlton Cole could win long balls played to him. Anton Ferdinand and John Mensah made sure that rarely happened.
West Ham’s best chance of the match came late in the first half through Jonathan Spector, making his second straight start in midfield. Threatening to build upon his mid-week, League Cup brace, Spector dribbled through the Black Cats defense in the 43rd minute, eventually pulling a 16-yard, right-footed shot wide of goal. It was the only time the Hammers was able to breach the Black Cats’ defense.
The three points Sunderland earn pulls Steve Bruce’s team even with Bolton on points, slotted behind the Trotters in the table thanks to an inferior goal difference. West Ham stays on 12 points, the same total as 19th place Wolverhampton, though having one fewer win, the Hammers stay in 20th place.
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