An improved second-half performance against Bristol City showed what a key Sunderland man can still do.
Sunderland’s already dire situation plunged to new depths in the first half of Saturday’s clash with Bristol City.
The Black Cats were all at sea as they conceded three times inside 45 minutes, while their relegation rivals at the bottom of the Championship took advantage elsewhere.
But when many would have expected Chris Coleman’s men to crumble again after the break, the very opposite happened.
After a slow start to the second half, too, Lee Cattermole, a player whose poor form has epitomised Sunderland’s struggles, drove his side forward and his efforts were rewarded.
With 20 minutes remaining, Cattermole charged into the box and nodded against the crossbar before a fortuitous bounce off a defender helped the ball over the line.
Cattermole’s free-kick created the second goal, too, and he was still pushing Sunderland on as the equaliser dramatically arrived in stoppage time.
The former Middlesbrough man was still some way below his very best in an ailing team, but this was a reminder of the quality he has and the difference he could and should make at this level.
There can be no excuses for Cattermole not performing again in the coming weeks and his performances may well be crucial to Sunderland’s survival.
It has been an awful season from both a personal and team point of view, but this was not a bad way for the recovery to start.
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