The FA Premier League.

11th August 2007.

The Stadium of Light.

Sunderland AFC
Versus
Tottenham Hotspur.

     With the coming of each new season it brings the shining optimism of every supporter up and down the land. Spurs supporters are no different and a trip North to face newly promoted Sunderland gave heart for 3 points. Having to be up at the ungodly hour of 5.30 am did not dampen the spirits. If anything it underlined how special a day this was. As I waited for my lift I realised that I was the only person up and about that morning. Whilst everyone else slumbered I (and 3000 other Spurs supporters) were making tracks. The sun had only just began to peek over the horizon when the car pulled into view and we hit the A1 in earnest. Apart from a stop 70 miles up the A1 to gather another of the ‘Yid Army' we made the desolate wastelands of the wind swept North East in good time. With two hours to spare and the sun staying firmly behind some ominous black clouds there was nothing left for us to do but hit the pub.

     After a couple of quick pints it's across the road to the short 200 yard walk to the ground. The Stadium of Light rises up out of wasteland like a beige fruit bowl. Apart from a pair of wrought iron gates around the side of the stadium there is nothing to distinguish the ground from the outside from a large B&Q warehouse. Inside on the concourse is pretty much what you would expect from an English stadium. Low level light gives the whole area a murky feel and the concourses are not quite wide enough to cope with the throngs of people queuing up at the concession stands. It was helpful however for the designers to put the food and drink outlets directly opposite the entrance to the toilets as you would surely be needing them in a hurry if you were fool enough to sample some of the wares on sale. A couple of fourteen inch televisions bolted 15 foot in the air were to provide the entertainment and suffice to say Sunderland AFC television was not quite enthralling enough to keep me from my seat.

     That seat, as fate would have it, was 2 rows from the back and next to the massed Sunderland supporters. Despite the close proximity of the home fans the atmosphere was never threatening. If anything the home support ignored the gathered masses to their right and concentrated on providing their team with the support that was needed. The stadium itself at seat level is marvellous. I doubt that there is a poor view to be had in the entire stadium. One half of the ground has 2 tiers whilst the other half of the stadium provides an almost unbroken bank of seats. This arrangement helps towards atmosphere and just before  the kick off the place was jumping.

     Spurs had made a few changes from the team we all thought might start. An injury to Michael Dawson in training the day before meant that the much maligned (and not without reason) Anthony Gardner would partner the debutant Younes Kaboul in the centre of our defence. Not the ideal line up that I would wish for on the opening day of the season. Paul Stalteri was drafted in as a replacement left back and Tainio, Jenas, Zokora, and Malbranque would make up the midfield quartet. The successful partnership of Berbatov and Keane from last season were to be brought together once more for this match.

     The match started as a frantic pace but it quickly became apparent that neither team were causing much consternation in the final third. Sunderland could not get past the hard working midfield of Spurs who squeezed the play from all four sides. Spurs on the other hand were not creating nearly enough chances for the front two. With Tottenham squeezing the midfield they were losing width in the process and space to pick a pass was at a premium. When either team did get forward enough to cause the heartbeat to race defences were packed and the penalty area of neither team was breached in any shape or form.

     The second half continued in much the same vein. Martin Jol tried to shake things up by withdrawing Tainio and bringing on Darren Bent for his debut. Robbie Keane dropped into the midfield in an effort to try to enthuse some creativity but it still was not working. Michael Chopra was introduced by Roy Keane also in an effort to snatch the elusive first goal of the new season by neither team were having any luck. With 2 minutes of normal time remaining Tom Huddlestone, on as a substitute, had a dipping volley easily saved. That effort was the only on target effort Spurs had all half and it had come from a speculative shot from 23 yards. The fourth official raised his board to indicate the three minutes of added time were to be played and the game appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate. With time ticking away Sunderland attacked down the Spurs right. Stalteri was turned (too easily) and a ball was played into the Spurs penalty area. It fell to the debutant Chopra standing on his own a scant 13 yards from goal. He controlled the ball and with a cool calmness he passed the ball into the bottom right hand corner, giving Robinson no chance. The goal was scored at 93 minutes and 9 seconds. The stadium erupted. Thousands upon thousands of red and white bedecked supporters leapt around as if scalded with boiling water and a few thousand white shirted supporters made hastily for the exit, heads bowed. Their was barely enough time for the restart before the final whistle sounded and the Sunderland supporters could rejoice at their first three points back in the big time.

     Outside I was greeted by several joyous home supporters. A huge striped individual (the stripes curving around his gargantuan belly) with a delightful little boy (who insisted on showing me the middle digit of his right hand as if it was something he was immensely proud of) chanted towards my general direction, "Fourth place? Your having a fookin' laugh mate." In regards to Spurs securing fourth spot in the league come may well be correct. One thing that he was wrong about. I was not having a laugh.

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