Jamie Redknapp has praised David Moyes’ decision to start Victor Anichebe.
Pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that David Moyes’ decision to start Victor Anichebe against Bournemouth was a ‘masterstroke’.
Sunderland grabbed their first win of the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon at the 11th time of asking, as they picked up a 2-1 victory away at Bournemouth.
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the game
Dan Gosling put Bournemouth in front, but Victor Anichebe – making his first league start since signing for Sunderland in September – equalised for the Black Cats before Steven Pienaar was sent off.
David Moyes’ men were down to ten men, but continued to fight and grabbed a shock winner when Anichebe was fouled for a penalty, with Jermain Defoe stepping up to give Sunderland all three points.
Sunderland remain bottom of the Premier League table, but they have been given a major confidence boost from Saturday’s win, and enter the international break in high spirits.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
After Saturday’s result, pundit Jamie Redknapp told the Daily Mail that he felt the win may have been ‘more by luck than design’, but added that Moyes pulled off a masterstroke by handing a start to forward Anichebe.
The 28-year-old – who worked with Moyes at Everton – was signed as a free agent in September having left West Bromwich Albion over the summer, and was a thorn in Bournemouth’s side, earning praise from Redknapp as Sunderland looked more of a threat with him in the team.
Sunderland’s Victor Anichebe celebrates scoring against Bournemouth
“David Moyes said he took the Sunderland squad to the Nissan factory last week,” said Redknapp. “Sometimes you forget you are doing the best job in the world and need that reality check. It may have been more by luck than design but that was such a big result at Bournemouth. Until Saturday, rivals Newcastle — in the Championship — had won a Premier League game more recently than Sunderland.”
“Going two up front with Victor Anichebe was a masterstroke. It meant they were asking questions of the Bournemouth defence and it might be how they set up going forward. They still have it all to do but this win will give them so much confidence,” he added.
What did you think of Anichebe’s display against Bournemouth?
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