Sport

Keane's men strike early if not exactly often

English Championship/Sunderland 2 Hull City 0: It is a measure of Roy Keane's transformation from tough-tackling midfielder …

Simon Rushworth at the Stadium of Light
Mon Mar 19 2007 - 00:00

English Championship/Sunderland 2 Hull City 0:It is a measure of Roy Keane's transformation from tough-tackling midfielder to tough-talking manager that he no longer tolerates tardiness.

A week after three senior players were reprimanded for missing the team bus to Barnsley, Keane's title-challenging team took 98 seconds to establish a lead against Hull City. That the Wearsiders required a further 88 minutes to finish off a spirited City side proved mildly frustrating to a coach constantly urging his players forward.

However, a seventh victory in nine league games ensured Sunderland stay on course for a Premiership return.

Timing is everything in the race for promotion, hence Keane's hard-line stance when Anthony Stokes, Marton Fulop and Toby Hysen missed their Oakwell-bound coach by a matter of minutes. It is not a mistake that Stokes will make twice.

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"I've worked hard since missing the bus," said the forward signed from Arsenal in January. "I've been on time all the last week and I'm just glad to be back and involved again. It's been a hard seven days since I was left out. I'm just thankful to the gaffer for putting me back in. I don't think he's the type of person who holds grudges."

Alf Inge Haaland, Alan Shearer and the FAI, among others, might disagree with that view. But leniency, like expedition, seems a cornerstone of Keane's enlightened approach to coaching.

Not that Sunderland showed any mercy to a Hull side fighting for their Championship lives and, after Jonny Evans had powered in that early opener, many chances were created and spurned.

When Stern John, who replaced the profligate David Connolly in the dying stages, capitalised on an error from the City goalkeeper, Boaz Myhill, to score his fourth goal for the club it was what the home team deserved.

SUNDERLAND:Ward, Simpson, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, Whitehead, Yorke, Liam Miller (Wallace 63), Murphy, Stokes (Leadbitter 64), Connolly (John 83). Subs not used:Fulop, Tommy Miller. Goals:Evans 3, John 90.

HULL:Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Delaney, Dawson, Livermore (Barmby 54), Ashbee, Parlour, Forster (Marney 74), Windass, Elliott (Vaz Te 53). Subs not used:Duke, Coles. Booked:Delaney.

Referee: T Bates(Staffordshire).