SOCCER/Southampton 1 Sunderland 2:On his last trip to St Mary's, Roy Keane had to be led from the pitch by stewards for taunting home supporters after Manchester United had sealed Southampton's relegation from the Premiership.
His celebrations yesterday were more diplomatic, but a tightly clenched fist signalled that his Sunderland team are now top of the Championship. From a position of 23rd when he took charge last August, it has been a remarkable turnaround.
This 2-1 win extends Sunderland's unbeaten run to 16 league matches and they have taken 42 points from 48 in that time.
Keane's team had to come from behind to clinch victory yesterday but wonderful second-half strikes from Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter were certainly worthy of winning any game.
"The priority is to be top at the end of the season - I have got some good characters in the dressing-room and we have had a bit of luck," said Keane. "The harder you work, the luckier you get and when you have that character, you have a chance."
When recently asked to explain Keane's galvanising effect on a dressingroom, his former Manchester United team-mate Dwight Yorke replied with a simple explanation. "One look from those eyes," he said.
The touchline style has certainly been less animated than widely expected but the upright stance and glaring eyes, constantly following the play, seem to have the required influence.
Sunderland were backed by a vocal and increasingly optimistic travelling support of around 3,000 yesterday and looked organised, committed and threatening throughout a goalless first-half.
On 15 minutes, only the post prevented Sunderland's David Connolly from adding to his tally of 11 goals this season after he turned and shot sharply. Connolly also forced a good low save from goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
A feature of Keane's management style has been a willingness to make changes - Ross Wallace did not feature yesterday despite a goal on Saturday and he used two of his three subs at half-time.
Anthony Stokes replaced Stephen Elliott in attack, while Dean Whitehead came on for Liam Miller in midfield.
Southampton took the lead in the 67th minute. Substitute Danny Guthrie provided the cross and Marek Saganowski powered the ball past Ward for his ninth goal since arriving on loan from Troyes in January.
Sunderland's response was swift and effective. The Southampton defence stood off as Whitehead played Edwards into space down the right and the Trinidadian cut inside and drilled a powerful left-footed shot beyond Bialkowski.
Then Leadbitter made Saints pay for conceding space on the edge of the box. The 21-year-old collected the ball, took one glance up and smashed his winning shot into the top right-hand corner.
Guardian Service
SOUTHAMPTON: Bialkowski, Ostlund, Baird, Pele, Bale, Dyer (Guthrie 46), Wright, Viafara, Belmadi, Best (Wright-Phillips 53), Saganowski (Rasiak 86). Subs not used: Davis, Surman.
SUNDERLAND: Ward, Simpson, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Edwards, Yorke (Leadbitter 69), Liam Miller (Whitehead 46), Hysen, Connolly, Elliott (Stokes 46). Subs not used: Fulop, Murphy. Booked: Yorke.
Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).
