So it came to the first midweek match of the season but not a nice match to be playing at 7.45.  Sunderland’s Stadium of Light the return of Kenny.   Well 500 die hard Blue noses travelled and as they came onto the pitch what a racket they made.  A crowd of just over 26’000 but all you could hear was Keep Right On being sang load and proud.

Blues started really shaky and nearly lost the a goal after just 3 minutes luckily though Sunderland’s strike on goal did not come to anything.  Blues began to settle and Nafti gave Blues their first shot of the game.  This was a sign of things to come as they pushed forward.  Sunderland then had to make a change due to their centre half having an injury.  The change came and with Clarke coming on, his debut turned into a nightmare as  he brought Johnty down in the box.  The referee had no hesitations and pointed to the spot.  After a long wait up stepped the forse who fired the penalty home.  Blues then turned into the comedy defence team again and Lawerance thought he had equalised for Sunderland only to have his effort ruled off-side.   Blues were very lucky to get away with it as TV replays show that the decision was very harsh, but hey we deserve some luck.

Half time Sunderland 0 - Blues 1

The second half started as the first ended with Sunderland piling on all of the pressure with Lawrence again coming close.  Blues first chance came as Laarson carved out a chance for himself running at the defence but dispatching a lame shot that went straight at the goal keeper.  The game then became very scrappy until it appeared that Bendtner appeared to have been brought down by the Sunderland Keeper.  This time though the ref gave a goal kick.  Blues began to attack more but Muamba making his first team debut was booked for being a little over exuberant.  He also at the same time injured himself which resulted in him being substituted for Clemance.  Forsell was also substituted after a lack lustre 2nd half and on came David Dunn.  His entrance straight away made the team more attacking and he began to disturb the Sunderland defence but still no further goals. 

In the later minutes Blues clung onto their slim lead as Sunderland began to pile everyone forward.  The defence and midfield at times looked as though they were stuck on the spot the pressure was that great but they were resilient and then finally came the whistle.  The Blues fans celebrated and the few Sunderland fans who had remained applauded what was a good performance from their team.