Healy winner ends Keane’s cup famine

8:50am Thursday 28th August 2008

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Nottingham Forest 1 Sunderland 2 (after extra-time, 1-1 at 90mins)

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TWO years ago today Roy Keane sat in the stands at the Stadium of Light after accepting the job as Sunderland boss.

And after changing the face of the club with an array of high-profile signings and securing the Black Cats’ place in the Premier League, Keane last night added a first cup victory in management to his CV.

After the failures against Preston, Luton and Wigan in his first two seasons at the helm, he was finally able to celebrate a win over his old club – just.

Having opted to go with his strongest team in an attempt to reach Carling Cup round three, he must have feared the worst when Robert Earnshaw’s clever free-kick edged Nottingham Forest ahead on the hour.

But, in the never-say-die style that became a trademark of Sunderland’s fight against relegation last season, Phil Bardsley forced the game into extra-time with a late, late equaliser that Forest would claim was harsh on them.

And, following the third debut strike of David Healy’s career after emerging from the bench, there was no way Sunderland were in the mood for penalties and they held on to their slender advantage.

It was not just Keane who made a return to the ground where his professional career started. Andy Reid, who left for Tottenham in 2005, played 160 games for Forest and was an instrumental part of the team that went close to promotion two years earlier.

Reid’s displays during that era are still fondly remembered and his bright start last night must have brought back memories to the home fans.

Within the opening five minutes the Irishman showed his variation of passing by creating two good chances for Djibril Cisse and Danny Collins. Both, however, failed to find the target after escaping their markers.

Sunderland’s Championship opponents, though, settled and left-back Julian Bennett’s delivery caught out the visiting defence. But they were let off the hook when midfielder Matt Thornhill headed over.

Cisse’s involvement from the start was one of just two changes following the victory at Tottenham.

But Keane was soon forced into a further alteration when Steed Malbranque hobbled off early in the first half to be replaced by Liam Miller.

Reid and Cisse were at the centre of most positive moves. When the latter raced through to meet Daryl Murphy’s through pass, goalkeeper Paul Smith had to be alert to turn a strike from the Marseille man on to the post.

Gradually Forest’s influence grew and five minutes before Earnshaw curled in his stunning free-kick, he missed prodding in Thornhill’s cross into the bottom corner by inches.

But Earnshaw did not have to wait too long for his moment after he was tripped on the edge of the area by Nyron Nosworthy. He picked himself up and curled high over the wall and into Gordon’s top left corner.

After Murphy was replaced by Healy, Earnshaw should have added a second but shot over from 16 yards.

Sunderland finally landed the equaliser. After Smith had expertly turned away Miller’s low drive through a crowded area, Diouf’s shot was shinned over the line by Bardsley.

Another half an hour beckoned and it took Healy less than three minutes to put Sunderland ahead. He was on hand to convert after Smith had turned away Leadbitter’s strike.

There was still time for Luke Chambers to direct a header against the bar but Forest’s best efforts were not enough to deny Sunderland.