Why are Clubs so Keane on Roy

Roy Keane is box office. No doubt about it. 

But as a TV pundit where his clear views and willingness to voice strong opinions contrast sharply with some of his more bland PC studio colleagues. Making him a big draw for ITV Sport’s Champions League fixtures during the winter months. Promising much too for this month’s World Cup in Brazil. Until. Well, until he changed his mind.

His commercial value alongside Martin O’Neill in the backroom of the Republic of Ireland, was viewed as a marketing coup. However in classic Keane mode the recent headlines have been more of a PR headache as the Republic’s Assistant manager has been consistently linked with other vacant managerial positions. Ranging from Celtic to the most recent Aston Villa. The type of headlines though that were giving his current gaffer some annoyance during the trip to the USA.

"I think that he has enjoyed it here immensely - that obviously plays a part in his thinking," added the Republic boss.

"In the future, he will have loads of offers, as he has had in the past and in the immediate past," O'Neill said.

"Things like this here will crop up again, with a wee bit of luck. I'm not saying Celtic will, but that type of job will.

"Everything now at this minute is on the backburner in terms of all speculation, all that type of stuff. I don't really want to continue on with this until we come back from the United States."

In opting out of his ITV commitments ahead of a World Cup is bound to bring some reminiscence of a previous walk out. Albeit in less dramatic fashion than the infamy of Saipan, where in 2002 as a Manchester United player – at the peak of his game – left the Irish squad. Undoubtedly would also have proved that vital cog to a team that made it to the World Cup quarterfinals without him. Particularly, if he delivered performances similar to Lansdowne Road on September 1, 2001 against Louis van Gaal’s Holland. 

Although it is easy to see Keane’s value as a player, it is a manager that the value seems over stated. After all promotion was secured at Sunderland in his first season, then survival in year two, with year three more tumultuous. All ending in his resignation before Christmas 2008.

His next move to Ipswich Town in April 2009 was in a two year deal that saw him sacked within seventeen months. Leaving the ream no better than when he arrived and with his nemesis Mick McCarthy following in his footsteps to work miracles. In November, amidst much fanfare, Keane became part of the Football Associations Dream Team with Martin O’Neill as replacement for the departed Giovanni Trapattoni. 

Then over the six month mark O’Neill’s deputy is being linked with other offers. Lending weight to Sir Alex Ferguson’s comment when pressed by the media about Keane’s potential pedigree.

"Young managers come along and people say this one will be England manager or boss of this club, but two years later they're not there. It's not an easy environment to come into, I wouldn't forecast anything.”

So why were Celtic FC anxious to hire the Cork man? Or now supposedly Aston Villa. Or indeed a number of other clubs who seemingly have enquired about his services. The answer. He puts bums on seats it seems.

In Glasgow the void left after the departure of the highly regarded Neil Lennon will be hard to fill and with season tickets on sale, a Champions League qualifier due. Keane would have been a commercial catch. But he also would have been under pressure straightaway. Given Lennon has left a legacy to be fulfilled at the club - that exceeded Martin O'Neill's tenure - is one that an ambitious manager might be tempted. But for the long haul.

Many others would be fearful of taking on the task as recent seasons have seen Celtic set benchmarks that will be unbeatable in the short term. Having punched well beyond their weight outside the Scottish Premier League. 

Yet with little track record beyond Sunderland, and no CV that points to building strong squads, or a coaching pedigree second to none. Or some radical new formations, it seems that box office is exclusively where Keane adds value. 

Regardless last week the FAI released a short statement confirming Keane would be staying put.

"The Football Association of Ireland [today June 2] confirmed that Roy Keane will travel with the Republic of Ireland squad to the US after he decided not to pursue the informal talks that took place with Celtic any further."

Having been first touted at Old Trafford as a possible replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane seemed on the fast track until that interview in 2005. A critical interview that caused much reaction within the club. Then at Keane’s suggestion, the players gathered to watch the interview. 

Afterwards, Keane stood up and rounded on Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Saar and assistant manager Carlos Quieroz - as Ferguson recalls in his book:

“Roy asked the players whether they had anything to say about what they had just seen. Edwin van der Sar said yes. He told Roy was out of line criticising his teammates. So Roy attacked Edwin. Who did he think he was, what did Edwin know about Manchester United? Van Nistelrooy, to his credit, piped up to support Van der Sar, so Roy rounded on Ruud. Then he started on Carlos. But he saved the best for me.” 

“‘You brought your private life into the club with your argument with Magnier,” Fergsuon wrote.

“At that point, players started walking out. What I noticed about Roy that day as I was arguing with him was that his eyes started to narrow, almost to wee black beads. It was frightening to watch. I never understood his obsession with the Rock of Gibraltar affair.

“After Roy had left, Carlos saw I was quite upset. ‘He needs to go, Carlos,’ I said. ‘One hundred per cent,’ he said. ‘Get rid of him.’”

In one interview Ferguson summarised Keane as follows: “The hardest part of Roy’s body is his tongue… It was frightening to watch. And I’m from Glasgow.”

Clearly Keane is box office on TV. The problem is everyone is chasing him for his dug out work. 

But so far there is little sign that is of equal quality.

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Sunderland's Bramble Cleared of Assault

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has been cleared of sexually assaulting two women.

The footballer was found not guilty by a jury at Teesside Crown Court following a four-day trial.

He was accused of groping a woman in a nightclub in Yarm, Teesside, before sexually assaulting a different woman in a taxi.

The woman from the taxi, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed Bramble grabbed her hand twice and put it on his crotch.

He also placed his hand between her legs, she said, which made her "scared".

"He put his hand between my legs and up my dress and I told him to stop immediately," the woman told the court.

Bramble, from Wynyard near Middlesbrough, was arrested after the taxi driver drove the pair to a police station.

The woman said she locked herself in a toilet at the police station and refused to leave until the 30-year-old had been led away by officers.

But Bramble told jurors the complainant was "touchy-feely and flirty" and kissed him "passionately" in the taxi from the Cross Keys nightclub.

She also put her hand on his crotch during the journey, he said.

Bramble's defence lawyer, Ronnie Jaffa, said the woman made the allegation to "save face" after she regretted kissing him.

The other woman said she felt someone grope her bottom at the nightclub.

Because the venue was dimly lit she did not see who grabbed her, she said, but a man she later identified as Bramble was standing behind her "smirking".

She told the jury she said, "Don't you grope me like that", before finding out that Bramble played for Sunderland Football Club.

The woman said she replied: "I don't care what he does, he's not grabbing me like that."

She reported the incident after the other allegations was made.

Both women claimed to have been assaulted on September 28 last year.

The footballer, who has played for Ipswich, Newcastle and Wigan Athletic, denied all charges.

O'Neill's Sort of Home Coming

Struggling Aston Villa's miserable home form continued as they played out a forgettable goalless draw with Sunderland at Villa Park.

It could have been worse for Villa, who are just five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, had a Nicklas Bendtner effort not been disallowed for a dubious offside.

But a victory for either team would have been generous in a turgid affair, which included a red card for former Villa man Craig Gardner in injury time before the final whistle.

The point means ex-Villa manager Martin O'Neill and his Sunderland team have now failed to win any of their last five games, which is the worst run since the sacking of Steve Bruce.

Alex McLeish's Villa, meanwhile, who had begun the afternoon six points clear of the drop zone, have now won just one game in their last 11 at Villa Park.

O'Neill was greeted with boos from Villa fans, despite three top-six finishes with the midlands club, after walking out on the club on the eve of last season.

Villa, who included six academy products in their line-up, enjoyed the better of the possession for lengthy spells despite having to reorganise after injuries to James Collins and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

But they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal despite the efforts of 20-year-old Andreas Weimann to unsettle the Sunderland back four.

It was Sunderland who created the better opportunities, particularly in the second half when Villa appeared to tire and Stephane Sessegnon was a threat.

But poor finishing and some whole-hearted defending by the Villa back four kept them at bay.

Villa began promisingly and came close to taking the lead inside the first 60 seconds.

Agbonlahor charged down a clearance from Simon Mignolet from Phil Bardsley's back pass.

Weimann was first to react to the rebound and Mignolet turned aside his chip shot.

Agbonlahor, without a goal in 18 Premier League games, looked lively and his goal-bound shot struck Matthew Kilgallon and flew over his own crossbar.

Mignolet was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the early stages and he tipped a low drive from Charles N'Zogbia around the post.

Weimann appealed in vain for a foul after he appeared to be clipped by Michael Turner just outside the box.

The home side continued to look the more threatening and Agbonlahor had a shot blocked by Turner on the edge of the box.

Weimann forced his way through two challenges before firing into the side netting.

Sunderland striker Bendtner squandered a good chance to put the Black Cats ahead seven minutes before half-time.

Collins lost possession and allowed McClean to make a clear run into the Villa area.

His cross picked out the unmarked Bendtner, but the Danish international headed over the bar.

Collins limped out of the action after 43 minutes to be replaced by right-back Alan Hutton with Carlos Cuellar moving into the centre of defence.

Weimann should have done better when he shot into the side-netting at the start of the second period after seizing Albrighton's first time pass.

Agbonlahor was troubled by his shoulder injury and after 48 minutes was replaced by Emile Heskey.

Gardner became the first player to be yellow-carded a minute later for bringing down Herd.

McClean missed the best chance of the game after 55 minutes.

Larsson made a run to the byline and McClean was first to react to his low cross, but from six yards out he hooked the ball over the bar.

Bendtner became the second Sunderland player to be booked for chopping down Albrighton.

Ireland came to Villa's rescue when he cleared a shot on the turn from Bendtner off the line then Larsson shot over at the far post.

Bendtner had the ball in the net after 76 minutes, but was judged to have strayed fractionally offside before converting Larsson's cross although it was a tight call.

McClean had an injury-time header saved by Given from another Larsson centre.

Gardner was sent off for his second yellow card after a foul on Albrighton.

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City Say Ciao After Sunderland Draw

The Premier League title is now out of the hands of Manchester City after their comeback fell short against Sunderland on Saturday - throwing control of the championship firmly into Manchester United's possession. Arsenal, meanwhile, were also stunted in their pursuit of Champions League football by QPR, which allowed Chelsea to close the gap on their rivals with a thrilling victory at Aston Villa.

At the bottom, Wolves remain winless at the bottom under manager Terry Connor, while Wigan's recovery continues thanks to another success against Stoke.

Manchester City failed to move back to the top of the Premier League table and must now rely on results elsewhere if they are to win the title this season, after Sunderland ruined their impeccable home record with an incredible 3-3 draw at Eastlands. City could have applied pressure to rivals United ahead of Monday's trip to Blackburn had they maintained their 100 per cent home record, but goals from Sebastian Larsson(2) and Nicklas Bendtner put Sunderland 3-1 up, before Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov rescued a point for the hosts - leaving them two points behind United.

Sunderland made much the better start at the Etihad Stadium and City were initially grateful for a crucial last-ditch tackle from Micah Richards, denying Stephane Sessegnon a clear goalscoring opportunity, before moments later Craig Gardner fired wastefully wide.

City then should have led when Balotelli missed a free header from four yards, but instead it was Sunderland who struck first through a classy strike from Larsson. Faced with a defender on the edge of the area, Larsson simply opened his body and curled a silky finish beyond the unsighted Joe Hart for 1-0.

City's leveller came via a controversial penalty as Edin Dzeko appeared to fall extremely easily inside the area, allowing Balotelli to send Simon Mignolet the wrong way from 12 yards. But by half-time they were behind again as Bendtner steered a superb header into the far corner from Sessegnon's cross.

An expected siege from City failed to materialise in the second half and it was Sunderland who scored again, Bendtner running into acres of space in a disjointed City rearguard, squaring perfectly for Larsson to tap home his second of the afternoon.

A despondent Roberto Mancini threw on Carlos Tevez for David Silva, and City found a lifeline when Balotelli sent a curler past Mignolet. Seconds later Kolarov smashed a fierce drive through a crowd of bodies for 3-3, but City could not find a dramatic winner in a frantic finish.

Joey Barton Talks Twitter Retirement

Joey Barton has decided to take a break from the social networking site, and the QPR midfielder bowed out in his own inimitable style, aiming a broadside at the city of Sunderland.

After airing his frustrations at being an unused substitute for QPR's 3-1 reverse at the Stadium of Light, the controversial 29-year-old said: 

'Reminds me of a film this 5under1and place.........can't think which one. #thedeliverance.'

Prior to the match, Barton tweeted his frustrations at not making boss Mark Hughes's first XI.

'All time low.........2 ways out. 1.Work hard 2.Worker harder', and 'Very, very disappointed.'

And in what Barton claims will be his final missive for a while, Barton went on to say: 'Going to take a little twitter sabbatical before I say something I'll end up regretting. Have a good few weeks people.'

Based on James Dickey's novel, John Boorman's nightmarish 1972 film sees four Atlanta businessmen canoeing along the Cahulawassee River on an ill-fated weekend.

QPR McCleaned at Stadium of Light

James McClean was in rampant form against 10-man Queens Park Rangers after having a hand in all three of Sunderland's goals as Djibril Cisse saw red for the visitors.

The Irishman, celebrating a contract extension at the Stadium of Light, first delivered a beautiful cross on to the head of masked marksman Nicklas Bendtner who rose above Taye Taiwo.

McClean then laid the ball off to David Vaughan after the interval who drilled a perfect cross into Stephane Sessegnon's path to slide home.

The Black Cats youngster later showed great persistence to fire past Paddy Kenny after seeing his first strike in the box blocked by a luckless Luke Young.

In the midst of all those goals, Cisse was given a straight red for a terrible two-footed challenge on substitute Fraizer Campbell. Mark Hughes later barely broke a smile when Taiwo curled in a free-kick into the top corner which was mere consolation for the visitors.

In the build-up to the game on Wearside, all talk was of Hughes dropping skipper Joey Barton to the QPR bench following a midweek performance against Liverpool which led to his own fans booing the much-maligned midfielder when he was substituted.

On the pitch, Barton's absence meant Wednesday's match-winner Jamie Mackie earned a start for the visitors but it was Sunderland who sprinted out of the blocks, enjoying the better spells of possession.

Jack Colback had passed up two glorious opportunities within a minute of one another as he failed to convert his side-footed effort from close range and then saw his half-volley brush against Kenny's right-hand post.

Sessegnon, back after a three-match ban following his dismissal against Newcastle, was also lively throughout but his rustiness proved to be the problem seven minutes later when he struck a poor effort which failed to trouble Kenny.

The Benin international's effort came seconds after Cisse had seen a rare effort blocked by O'Shea, but the defender's afternoon came to a premature conclusion five minutes later when he limped off with a calf injury.

Tempers flared on the pitch when Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Bobby Zamora clashed with the striker appearing to suggest he had been head-butted. Mike Jones eventually booked the pair.

The opener came with four minutes remaining as McClean threatened once more down the left and delivered a dangerous ball towards the far post for Bendtner to climb high above Taiwo and head firmly into the corner.

A frustrated Adel Taarabt wasted a chance to equalise later when he drilled an ambitious free-kick straight into the defensive wall.

Craig Gardner, who switched to right-back in the absence of stand-in skipper O'Shea, showed endeavour down the flank and with 48 minutes gone he overhit his cross which then saw Vaughan blast high over seconds later.

However, the visitors' plight deepened a minute later when former Sunderland striker Cisse was shown a straight red card for an unsavoury lunge on Campbell.

Sessegnon then tried to capitalise on his side's numerical advantage when he broke clear just before the hour mark but shot high and wide.

The tie was effectively over 20 minutes from time as Nedum Onuoha was caught under the ball, and McClean nipped in and after seeing Young block his initial effort, the winger thumped the rebound past Kenny with the help of a deflection.

The visitors' fortune took a turn for the worse as minutes later Sessegnon slid home Vaughan's cross from close range to make it 3-0.

Taiwo responded with a superb 79th minute set-piece, however their midweek last-gasp heroics against Liverpool were not repeated as the North East outfit claimed all three points.

O'Neill Delights in Second Chance

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill was "delighted" to still be in the FA Cup after being second best for much of the 1-1 draw against an energetic Everton side.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet kept the Black Cats in it late on with a fantastic double save, stopping a header from John Heitinga at full stretch before recovering to deny Nikica Jealvic with the rebound.

And O'Neill admits his side wavered towards the end of the game, but felt they deserved a draw.

"I think we started the game brilliantly, got the goal and we were playing very well," he said.

"The equaliser knocked us back, we lost a bit of confidence with it. There was a big surge from the home crowd.

"I thought the second half could have gone either way but they pressed us more towards the end of the game. I am delighted we are still in the hat, I probably would have taken that at the start of the game.

"I thought it was a magnificent double save, really brilliant. I think if we had been beaten there I would have been really disappointed. I wouldn't have been sure we deserved to be beaten.

"I think on reflection a draw was probably a fair result."

No Light for Dalglish at Sunderland

Kenny Dalglish feels one slice of good fortune settled a contest between two evenly-matched sides on Saturday, as Sunderland edged out Liverpool.

An uneventful encounter swung in favour of the Black Cats early in the second half, as Nicklas Bendtner bundled home from close range.

He was in the right place at the right time after a low drive from Fraizer Campbell cannoned off the base of the post and into the back of Reds keeper Jose Reina.

Dalglish was of the opinion afterwards that his side more than held their own before and after the goal, but concedes that there were few positives to be taken from a forgettable contest on Wearside.

"I don't think it was a great game," he told Sky Sports.

"It won't be frustrating for the Sunderland fans, they have won, but I don't think it was a great game.

"I think we more than matched them and sometimes you come away with something, sometimes you don't. Today they got a bit of good fortune for the goal and that was the difference between the two teams."

Reaction

Liverpool struggled to create chances throughout against a resolute Black Cats side and Dalglish admits they never really looked like scoring.

He added: "They did have a go late on. They never really got too close to getting an equaliser, maybe right at the death when it spiralled up in the air and Dirk (Kuyt) couldn't get a touch on it.

"But the reaction was good to going behind, they were competitive throughout the whole game.

"For all the attributes that Sunderland have, I think we matched them. They got the little bit of luck and got three points."

Dalglish's starting XI came as a surprise to some but he claims it is important to give game time to the likes of Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates, who made just his second Premier League start.

The Scot said: "It's important to give him a game because we have got a lot of games coming up.

"It's important with Daniel Agger injured there that we see what Seb can do. We know he has looked very promising in the games he has played and I thought he did well today."

Bendtner Feared for Eyesight

Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner says he feared he had lost his sight when he suffered an eye injury against Swansea City in January.

The Denmark international, 24, was taken to hospital after he fractured his eye socket in a challenge with Swans defender Angel Rangel.

"I'm happy that I didn't go blind," Bendtner told BBC Newcastle.

"I couldn't see out of my eye for four or five hours and had to stay in hospital overnight as well."

Bendtner, on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season, scored Sunderland's opener in the 1-1 derby draw with Newcastle United on Sunday.

Prior to his return against West Bromwich Albion the week before, the striker missed a month of football in recovery and has worn a protective mask in his last two outings.

"I don't mind getting a kick or broken nose or jaw that will heal, but your eyes are the most important thing," Bendtner said.

"As soon as I got the kick, I couldn't see anything, and my first thought was 'I'm blind', so I was really pleased when, with my hands, I could open my eye and see loads of red stuff.

"I hope there's a guardian angel watching over me.

"I just take it as it comes, I don't think back about it, it's two horrible moments but you have to look forward."

Scoring in the Tyne-Wear derby was a bright moment in a mixed spell on Wearside for Bendtner, in which he has scored four goals in 19 games,and has also seen his arrest for criminal damage.

"You have to prove yourself every game, it's important to keep a consistent level," Bendtner said.

"But when you know how much it means to the fans it's always nice to score in a derby."

Trap Sees McClean Irish Light

Sunderland winger James McClean has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad to face the Czech Republic next week in Dublin.

It is a first senior call-up for the 22-year-old, who has been in superb form for the Black Cats.

McClean was surprisingly left out of the initial squad, although manager Giovanni Trapattoni said he would be called into the panel "in the future".

Derby midfielder Paul Green has also been drafted into the Republic squad.

Green scored in his first international start for the Republic, in the 3-0 win over Algeria two years ago.

Trapattoni indicated last month that he intended to stick with the players who had got the team to the Euro 2012.

It was believed that McClean's headline-grabbing performances had prompted a rethink by Trapattoni, but he was omitted for the clash against the Czechs.

Trapattoni revealed that he had spoken to McClean and assured him of a future call-up to the squad.

"I told him, '100 per cent you will be with us [in the future]'," said Trapattoni.

"But I want to consolidate the balance, the mentality of the squad in this game against the Czech Republic so we will use the players that qualified us for Euro 2012."

The 22-year-old's move from Derry City to the Wearside outfit, a £350,000 transfer from League of Ireland obscurity, went relatively unnoticed during a period of heavy recruitment at the Stadium of Light last summer. For the first four months of the season he did not make a first-team appearance.

That all changed when Martin O'Neill succeeded Steve Bruce in early December, with the new manager handing McClean his senior debut by bringing him off the bench in his second game in charge.

Republic of Ireland squad: Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall); John O'Shea (Sunderland), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Shane Duffy (Everton), Sean St Ledger (Leicester), Darren O'Dea (Leeds), Kevin Foley (Wolves); Glenn Whelan (Stoke), James McCarthy (Wigan), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Keith Andrews (West Brom), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Darron Gibson (Everton), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), James McClean (Sunderland), Paul Green (Derby County), Stephen Hunt (Wolves); Robbie Keane (Aston Villa), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long, Simon Cox (both West Brom), Jon Walters (Stoke)

Quinn Leaves Sunderland Short

Niall Quinn has decided to leave Sunderland after six years to spend more time with his family and concentrate on business interests outside of football.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who as chairman put together the Drumaville consortium which backed Sunderland's return to the Premier League, and then persuaded American tycoon Ellis Short to take over, today announced he is to end his involvement as director of international development.

Quinn stepped aside as Sunderland chairman last year to focus on increasing the club's international profile but is now decided to quit the club with immediate effect.

"I've had the most amazing six years and it gives me a huge sense of pride to see where Sunderland is today," Quinn said.

"Sunderland is in an incredibly fortunate position to have a hugely talented team of people leading the football club right now.

"There is a tremendous amount of energy about the place and the board and the executive management team are a dynamic and committed group, who hold the best interests of the club at the core of all they do.

"Everything is in place for Sunderland to really make a statement, which was always my aim.

Quinn cited bringing in manager Martin O'Neill earlier in the season as "an absolute highlight" and is confident that the Northern Irishman "will harness the immense passion that exists here and take us to new heights".

The former Sunderland striker said he will still get that same "knot" in his stomach before every game but will always get a feeling of pure elation if results continue to go well on the pitch.

Chairman Ellis Short said: "Niall Quinn is and always will be a Sunderland legend. His vision brought me into the club and that vision still inspires what we do.

"His hard work laid down the foundations that we are now building on and the vision and drive he showed both in those early days and indeed in recent times as he focused on our international development, particularly in Africa, should never be underestimated.

"We fully understand his desire to take a back seat now and to concentrate on his own life and interests away from football and he deserves that opportunity."

No Light for Arsenal at Sunderland

Sunderland dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win in their fifth round tie at the Stadium of Light to pile the misery on Arsene Wenger.

Following their 4-0 midweek defeat by AC Milan in the Champions League, the FA Cup appeared to offer Arsenal their best chance of silverware, but Sunderland's win means it is almost certain the Gunners will end a seventh season without a trophy.

Sunderland broke the deadlock five minutes before the break when Kieran Richardson's deflected shot found the bottom corner of Lukasz Fabianski's net.

The home side sealed the win 13 minutes from time as they caught Arsenal on the break when Stephane Sessegnon slipped in Sebastian Larsson who saw his shot hit the post and come off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain before crossing the line.

Wenger threw Gervinho straight back into the team on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations while Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabianski were also among five changes from the Milan drubbing.

What Wenger did not need after losing Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the past week was more defensive injuries but he was forced into a change after less than 10 minutes when Francis Coquelin appeared to suffer a hamstring problem and Sebastien Squillaci came on.

The Gunners had already gone close through Mikel Arteta's free-kick that curled narrowly wide, while Sunderland forward Sessegnon also drilled a shot just off target.

Last weekend's loss, inflicted by Thierry Henry's injury-time goal, was Martin O'Neill's first at home, and the Black Cats boss had goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to thank for a smart stop to deny Gervinho in the 28th minute.

Arsenal wanted a penalty when Robin van Persie went down under a challenge from John O'Shea, and the striker certainly had a case with the Irishman getting no more than the faintest of touches on the ball.

While the Gunners looked dangerous in attack, their defence again was not standing up very well to pressure and Johan Djourou became the first man in the book when he hauled down Craig Gardner after a poor touch had let the midfielder in.

Larsson's free-kick was headed away by Thomas Vermaelen but only as far as Richardson, whose well-struck volley arrowed into the corner of the net with the aid of a slight deflection off Squillaci.

And it almost got worse for Arsenal before half-time as Jack Colback did well to keep in a deep cross from Larsson but James McClean could only poke his effort wide from close range under pressure from Fabianski.

Only the crudest of challenges from Bacary Sagna ended a break from McClean in the opening moments of the second half and the full-back was swiftly shown a yellow card.

Larsson has been deadly with free-kicks from just outside the box this season but this time his shot was just too high.

Eight minutes after the break Wenger made a double change, substitute Squillaci also appearing to pick up an injury and being replaced by Tomas Rosicky, while Theo Walcott came on for Ramsey.

Alex Song dropped back into the centre of defence and Walcott took up a forward position but it was Sunderland doing almost all the attacking.

Having survived that spell, the Gunners responded with a good bit of possession and Arteta won a free-kick 25 yards out for a foul by Larsson but Van Persie's effort was deflected behind and the corner came to nothing.

Sunderland's workrate really was phenomenal as they hassled and harried their opponents all over the pitch.

Vermaelen headed a free-kick from Arteta straight into the hands of Mignolet but the tie was decided in the 78th minute when Sunderland got their second.

Sessegnon created the goal with a run from inside his own half to the edge of the Arsenal area after more great Black Cats pressure had set up the break.

The Benin forward played in Larsson on the right and his shot rebounded off the inside of the near post onto to Oxlade-Chamberlain, who got his feet in a muddle and could only help the ball over the line.

Van Persie, who had been quiet all afternoon, stabbed a shot over the bar as Arsenal desperately sought a way back in but it was emphatically Sunderland's day.

O'Neill in Bridge Loan

Sunderland have signed Manchester City full-back Wayne Bridge on loan for the rest of the season.

The former Chelsea defender, 31, has only played once for City manager Roberto Mancini this season - in a 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Birmingham.

Capped 36 times for England, Bridge was signed by Mark Hughes in the January transfer window of 2009.

"I'm hoping that with Wayne's ability and experience he can be a big help," said Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill.

"I'm very pleased to have him here and with the number of injuries we've sustained recently I'm sure he'll be a great help to us."

The arrival of Aleksander Kolarov at City limited Bridge's opportunities and he had a loan spell at West Ham last season, but has only managed 78 minutes - in that Cup tie, in which he was substituted - for City's first team this season.

O'Neill moved for the experienced left-back after his defensive resources were further stretched by the loss of Wes Brown to a suspected medial ligament injury at the weekend.

Bridge joined Chelsea from his home-town club Southampton for £7m in July 2003 before his £12m switch to City.

But he has made only 58 appearances in three years at the Etihad Stadium.

Ji Dong Won Spoils City Visit

Manchester City missed the opportunity to pull clear at the top of the table, with Sunderland snatching a dramatic 1-0 victory over the league leaders.

Dong-Won Ji grabbed what proved to be the match winner with virtually the last kick of the game to compound a miserable New Year for the Premier League frontrunners.

It was not the most auspicious of starts to 2012 for Roberto Mancini's table-topping City side, with some woeful finishing leaving them cursing their luck.

Edin Dzeko endured a nightmare afternoon in front of goal, with an effort that clipped the top of the crossbar as close as his wayward shooting came to finding the target.

Stephane Sessegnon could have made him pay midway through the second half but, having opted to use the outside of his boot, he fired wide when presented with a clear sight of goal.

City continued to toil to no avail in the closing stages, with a combination of Simon Mignolet and the woodwork keeping David Silva and Micah Richards at bay.

It looked as though a point would be the least they would leave Wearside with, but a late counter attack from Sunderland saw Ji sprung clear by Sessegnon and, despite appearing to have drifted offside, he rounded Joe Hart and slipped the ball into an empty net.

Desperate

City manager Roberto Mancini, perhaps with one eye on Tuesday's home clash with Liverpool, started with Sergio Aguero and Silva on the bench and left Mario Balotelli out of the 18, but he was forced to bring on the star substitute pair in a desperate search for a winner.

Yet, had either Nicklas Bendtner or Sessegnon taken the chances which fell their way either side of the break, Sunderland might have been in front long before they did actually take the lead.

Black Cats manager Martin O'Neill had gone into the game without a specialist full-back as injuries tore his defensive resources apart, and the situation was to get worse long before the half-time whistle sounded.

Having already had to press midfielders Craig Gardner and Jack Colback into service at right-back and left-back respectively, he also had to draft in Mignolet for the first time since he fractured his nose and an eye-socket on 29th October as Keiren Westwood pulled out.

O'Neill was forced into a further change with just 26 minutes gone when centre-back Wes Brown pulled up and was replaced by Matt Kilgallon, making his first senior appearance for the club since May 2010.

In the circumstances, O'Neill could hardly have been more pleased with the way his distinctly makeshift defence battled its way to the break without conceding.

Had lone frontman Bendtner shown a little more composure, his side might have headed for the dressing room holding a lead.

Sunderland broke at pace from a third-minute defensive corner and Sessegnon slid the perfect pass into the Dane's run to put him in on goal.

Bendtner took the ball wide of goalkeeper Hart, but crucially not wide enough and the England international was able to make an important block.

Hart had to make a smart save from James McClean's effort two minutes later, but as the half went on, it was a City side featuring six changes from the 0-0 draw at West Brom which began to dominate.

It was not until the half-hour mark had passed that they really made their presence felt.

Mignolet, who was wearing a protective face mask, made a point-blank 32nd-minute block to deny Dzeko, but was then grateful to see Gardner clear Samir Nasri's effort off the line seconds later.

Dzeko rattled the crossbar with a powerful drive 10 minutes before the break and then prompted a comfortable save from Mignolet from distance with two minutes of the half remaining.

But it was the home side who went close in injury time when Gardner blasted just high and wide as the Black Cats surged forward.

Mancini had seen enough and replaced defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong with Aguero at the break, although it was McClean who went close to breaking the deadlock when his 47th-minute cross flew just over the angle of bar and post.

Yaya Toure scuffed a volley wide seconds later after Mignolet had kicked Aleksandar Kolarov's cross away, and Pablo Zabaleta also failed to hit the target after being played into space by captain Vincent Kompany.

Mancini responded by sending on Silva for Nasri, and the visitors squandered another promising opening within seconds when Dzeko skied a shot high over the bar from Adam Johnson's cross.

City might have taken the lead in controversial circumstances with 59 minutes played when referee Kevin Friend allowed play to continue after Sessegnon went to ground under Kolarov's challenge.

Silva fed the ball to Dzeko, who dropped it off for Aguero to fire in a close-range effort which Mignolet managed to block.

But Sunderland should have been in front with 64 minutes gone when Sessegnon cut inside from the right and found himself with just Hart to beat.

The Benin international pushed his shot agonisingly wide of the far post with the outside of his right foot.

Richards went desperately close to a winner with a minute of normal time remaining when he headed the ball into the ground and saw it come back off the crossbar after Mignolet had parried Silva's shot.

However, the drama was not over and when Sessegnon stabbed the ball into Ji's path, he calmly rounded Hart to snatch three precious points.