Wenger undone by an unlikely local lad

IN an era when foreign players dominate the higher echelons of the game, Sunderland manager Roy Keane maintains that at the core of every club there should be local heroes.

On Wearside, Grant Leadbitter is a case in point.

The England Under-21 international is more often than not a substitute, but that does not devalue his worth in Keane’s eyes. Why should it after Leadbitter’s contribution in coming off the bench to score an emotional goal he will remember for the rest of his life, for both personal and professional reasons?

Leadbitter’s father died this summer, and after giving his side the lead with a majestic 25-yard strike that crashed in off the underside of the bar with only four minutes remaining, the tearful Sunderland-born midfielder, 22, raced to the touchline in front of the home dug-out before throwing himself on his knees and kissing the turf.

Only later, when a self-effacing Leadbitter explained, did the significance of that gesture become clear. He said: “People close to me know why I kissed that area of the ground. My dad’s ashes were buried there. I don’t want to go on about it, It just means a lot to me and my family. It’s exactly that spot and it was always my intention to do something like that when I scored.

“It happened in the summer. He was my dad, so he was obviously a big supporter of mine, but Saturday was not just about me, I didn’t want it to be like that, it was about the team. I had people in the stand who were close to me, I looked towards them and they knew what it was all about.”

Keane has compared Leadbitter to Paul Scholes, alongside whom the Black Cats’ boss plied his own midfield trade at Manchester United. “We know Grant is capable of scoring goals like that and it obviously meant a lot to him,’’ said Keane. “He’s a local lad and he has had a difficult few months. He’s a good lad, as good a pro as I have come across. He trains really well every day and the goal will do his game a world of good. This club means a hell of a lot to Grant.

“You look at clubs and they do like to try keep the core of a few young players coming through. Look at United a few years ago. They always had a core of outstanding players and there’s Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at Liverpool who are local lads who know the scene.

“That is vital to have a solid foundation to your club. I didn’t know much about Grant when I got the job but within a few weeks I had a number of calls about him, so I thought he can’t be bad and I will definitely hold on to him.

“If I had a few more Grants I would be very happy. I’ve compared him to Scholesy because of his build. Sometimes there were questions about Scholesy and even his build, and sometimes there may be the same questions about Grant.

“He’s 5ft 10, we can’t make him 6ft 4, but if you can handle the ball you’ve got a chance.’’

This was one late show that Sunderland didn’t enjoy. Keane’s side have a predilection for late, game-changing goals and Leadbitter’s was another to add to their portfolio, but this time they were trumped by Cesc Fabregas’s equaliser deep in injury time. Height was an issue here, the question being quite how the sub-6ft Spaniard managed to head home Robin van Persie’s corner amid a ruck of players. The finger will inevitably be pointed at Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who came but failed to claim the ball.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was critical of Sunderland’s defensive approach and grudging in his assessment of Keane’s managerial credentials. He said: “He’s done well until now. I wish him well. But do we know in 10 years?’’

Keane’s response was to effectively write off the Gunners’ title chances. “I think Chelsea and United are stronger,’’ he said.

REFEREE: Lee Mason (Lancashire) 5: Backed his assistant — probably wrongly — Jake Collin on the ball being out when Theo Walcott crossed for Robin van Persie to finish in vain.

MATCH RATING ***: As so often happens here, most of the action came in the closing minutes, but this was always an absorbing encounter.