Perfect Start

I awoke on a typical hot muggy summer morning in New York with the type of spring in my step that only a new season can bring, and only other football fans would understand. I was encouraged by the line-up Curbs chose, which had a nice balance between defence and attack and gave Murphy the clear free role behind Bent. Two players, namely Jeffers and Fortune, will have been hugely discouraged however, and whether the former remains a Charlton player beyond the end of this month remains to be seen. Perhaps Curbs decided he needed the option of Bartlett's height defensively as much as offensively, should an injury have befallen Hreidarsson who lined up in central defence alongside vertically-challenged Perry. Surprisingly perhaps, Curbs chose Rommedahl over Thomas suggesting that he is willing to give the flying Dane enough opportunities to disprove his doubters.

As any fans that travelled to the game will no doubt confirm, it was a day of rapidly changing emotions - the first half-hour seemed comfortable, with Darren Bent doing his already strong confidence the power of good with a well-taken goal, and Smertin and Murphy dictating affairs in the midfield. However we lost the momentum and the lead and ironically it sounded as if we didn't regain it again until Ambrose saw red, and then we were barely troubled.

The psychology of sport and football in particular can seem illogical at times. One would imagine that a team with eleven players at home would have a clear advantage over ten, yet the sending-off probably caused the inexperienced Sunderland side to panic and go after the three points with impatience. Charlton meanwhile had set up to play on the break anyhow, and simply moved to 4-4-1 which put added pressure on Bent (who knew he wouldn't receive support if and until he clearly had possession) but still left nine players behind the ball, the same number that began the game essentially. Displaying admirable experience which perhaps six consecutive seasons in the top flight gives you, we soaked up some pressure then two pieces of class from Murphy and Bent sealed the three points.

So there you have it. Ambrose will feel a little embarrassed no doubt tonight, but whilst he would have run his early bath awaiting the inevitable roar that will have signalled Sunderland's second goal, his foolish act actually changed the game in ways that few will have predicted.

Perhaps the most positive aspects of the afternoon at the individual level were firstly Bent's two goals (when was the last time we had the top scorer in the Premiership?.....Mendonca perhaps, briefly in 1998/99?), and fans will be hoping that finally we have replaced our last goalscoring hero, his debut goals ironically occurring in Super Clive's hometown. As I mentioned in my blog following the QPR game, Bent offers the option to hit it over the top to utilise his pace; it sounds like both goals came from this very route and if so, it is a hugely promising sign since it gives the defence and midfield us a great alternative outlet, with Murphy able to provide cultured support behind him. Secondly, the solid performance of Andersen who was again unlucky to concede a goal after making a great save (think last minute at Chelsea), but sounded in control and unlike Deano, wasn't stuck to his line. It would not surprise me at all if Deano played second fiddle, even when his dislocated finger re-locates.

So there you have it - a perfect start. Three points, top of the Premiership (sorry Hammers, 'C' comes before 'W'), the top goalscorer and most importantly a solid controlled win in sometimes difficult conditions, not least the ten men. Roll on Wigan.