Howard Strike Sees Off Sunderland

A first half strike by Steve Howard was enough for Hartlepool United to record an impressive win over Premier League side Sunderland.

Neale Cooper named a strong side for the game, with Howard causing the Black Cats trouble all evening. He opened the scoring after just eight minutes when he held off a challenge by Titus Bramble and slotted home.

It was the home side who were on top for much of the first half, Howard poked an effort wide of Simon Mingolet's goal while a Luke James went narrowly over the bar.

Former Pools loanee Ryan Noble started the game but made little impact on his return to Victoria Park, a scuffed first half header being his best chance of the opening 45.

David Meyler proved a nuisance for Pools, forcing good saves from Scott Flinders either side of the half time interval.

Sunderland began to dominate as the second half progressed, Kieran Richardson's effort landed the wrong side of the post before Flinders produced a world class save to prevent Frazer Campbell's close range effort from levelling the scores.

Campbell had another chance to level when he fired wide at the death but Pools held on to record an impressive win over Martin O'Neill's men.

FT: Hartlepool 1 Sunderland 0

Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Hartley, Horwood (Holden 65), Franks (Poole 62), Sweeney, Walton (Murray 62), Monkhouse, Howard (Nish 74), James (Humphreys 74).

Subs not used: McHugh, Richards.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Kilgallon (Laing 80), Bramble, Richardson, Campbell, Meyler, Cattermole (Knott 80), Colback, Wickham (Reed 69), Noble.

Subs not used: Westwood, Lynch, Deacon.

Attendance: 5,424 (3,497 Sunderland)

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