Hair-raising Cisse gives Toon a cruel cut
Manager Roy Keane says he has a “funny story’’ to tell about how Sunderland came to sign the former Liverpool striker this summer on a season-long loan from Marseille. But that particular tale, Keane insists, is for another day.
For now, he is content that Cisse’s distinctive appearance is as much a distraction for defenders as the striking quality he demonstrated when opening the scoring on the day Sunderland achieved their first home win against their fierce rivals since April 1980.
It is fair to assume, therefore, that Keane won’t be complaining if the Frenchman appears with candy stripes in his hair to go with his extensive tattoos.
“He’s a player we would have discussed millions and millions of times over conversations about who we could bring to the club,” Keane said. “He’s played for big clubs and I felt he would do something in this game because he’s a big character. He’s got the tattoos and the hair – sometimes defenders are busy looking at that while he’s getting on with the job.
“He’s brought something different to the party. We wouldn’t have got him last year, I don’t think he would have been interested, but he saw we’re making progress.’’
It is believed that Cisse, 27, would cost Sunderland around £10m (€12.6m), but that would be money well spent if he continues to show the eye for goal that helped to plunge Newcastle – under interim manager Joe Kinnear – deeper into what Keane’s former Manchester United colleague, Nicky Butt, acknowledged is a relegation struggle.
While Cisse, who also hit a post with a powerful drive, attracted most of the plaudits, the contribution of the classy Steed Malbranque and match-winner Kieran Richardson, added credence to Keane’s assertion that Sunderland are an upwardly mobile club.
He said: “It’s important for me the players don’t see Sunderland as some easy pay-day or stepping stone. I have a group who genuinely want to play for Sunderland and there’s a good spirit among the players.
“They’re not daft, they knew how important this game was. We were told all week how long it was since we won at home to Newcastle. The squad, we feel, can get into the group of teams ahead of us and mid-table, maybe. We were promoted two seasons ago, finished 15th last season, and two or three places above would be progress.
“I’m trying to build something we can sustain. It’s no good us staying up last year then going back down like the old days here, the yo-yo club. I’m not trying to build a team, I’m trying to build a club and there’s a big difference.
“I had to leave out Daryl Murphy, David Healy, Nyron Nosworthy; Liam Miller wasn’t available – he was back in Ireland for a funeral – and Craig Gordon injured his ankle in training, but we were comfortable with Marton Fulop because he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.’’
Cisse struck in the 19th minute when he prodded in Malbranque’s low centre but Fulop might have done better when Shola Ameobi’s header, from Geremi’s free-kick, eluded the Hungarian on the half-hour.
The introduction early in the second half of striker Kenwyne Jones, making his senior comeback after more than four months’ recovery from knee ligament damage, energised his teammates and the home crowd as Keane decided to go for broke.
But when the decisive moment arrived, 15 minutes from time, it was a thunderous 73mph free-kick from Richardson that ripped past Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given after Butt caught Diouf on the edge of the area.
Asked whether his side are in a relegation fight, Butt conceded: “Yes. We are down there and part of that battle. A couple of wins on the bounce and we can get out of it, but the longer you are in there, the more desperate you get.’’
REFEREE: Mike Riley (Yorkshire) 6: For once, an almost exemplary exhibition. Got the big decision right in ruling El Hadji Diouf was brought down just outside the box.
MATCH RATING: *** A strong, swirling wind made life difficult, but the sides rose to the occasion on a day that will live long in the memories of Sunderland fans.
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