Gordon: it wasn’t quite the full Monty

YOU have to feel sorry for Danny Welbeck, scorer of the goal that took Sunderland into the top six in the Premier League and deservedly named man of the match after also hitting the post.

Yet the striker on loan from Manchester United rated only an afterthought in the final analysis.

In one memorable, magical moment, Craig Gordon claimed the spotlight that the quiet Scotland international goalkeeper usually sidesteps.

Gordon, considered overpriced by many when he joined Sunderland for £9 million, looked worth every penny in the 44th minute when he somehow turned over a shot from Zat Knight that looked to have gone past him.

It was a startling reaction that sparked memories of Jimmy Montgomery’s famous double save in Sunderland’s FA Cup Final triumph over Leeds in 1973.

Yes, it was that good.

But Gordon considered that, even in this age of football hyperbole and exaggeration, it is not a valid comparison. And it is not even the best save of the Scot’s career.

“I made one a few years ago against Motherwell, which I am proud of, but this one is definitely in my top five,” said Gordon, who still considers that Montgomery’s Wembley effort to be in a different league.

“Monty’s save is in this club’s folklore and, being a goalkeeper here, you can’t get away from that brilliant moment.

“I have watched it back on video many times and it is a moment to aspire to, but you can’t compare this save with Jimmy’s.

“After all, his won an FA Cup Final for Sunderland and will never be forgotten. Mine just helped us on the way to three points. It was an enjoyable one, though, and I will remember it.”

Manager Steve Bruce, who led the praise for Gordon, knows all about great saves after playing in front of Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United.

“You’re comparing Craig with arguably the best keeper the Premier League has ever seen and that in itself is high esteem,” said Bruce.

“But they’re totally different characters, absolute chalk and cheese, so you could never ever compare. Schmeichel had to be loud to concentrate — he wasn’t happy unless he was involved with every single thing.

“Craig’s completely different. He’s not your typical goalie. he’s not a typical madman and he’s not vociferous — he’s calm and quiet and goes about it a different way to most goalkeepers. He’s one of those who just keeps himself to himself, a very quiet individual.

Sunderland have now kept three successive clean sheets, the bedrock of their climb into the top six at the expense of Bolton.

The Scotland international added: “It has been a good start to the season. We have not been beaten too many times and have a knack of keeping clean sheets, so we are happy at how it is progressing.

“We have a lot of big teams chasing us but we have to keep our feet on the ground, work hard and keep doing the things that got us here in the first place.

“Defensively we are pretty good and, at the other end, we have (Asamoah) Gyan, Welbeck and (Darren) Bent who are always scoring.”

With Bent and Gyan largely misfiring on this occasion, Sunderland were fortunate that Welbeck continued his impressive scoring streak, heading in after Bent’s 32nd-minute shot was blocked by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Welbeck also hit the post, but Bolton had chances to level in the second half, notably when Ivan Klasnic miskicked from in front of goal in stoppage time.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle, rightly furious that Lee Cattermole did not pick up a second yellow card for a foul on Johan Elmander, insisted with less justification that his side deserved a draw.

But striker Kevin Davies is certain this will be only a blip in their progress under Coyle.

“The fact we are disappointed with this defeat shows how far we have come under Owen and now we have to bounce back,” said Davies.

“It has been difficult since Sam Allardyce left to get anything going. We have been fighting off relegation but we are in this position now.

“The manager is a very infectious character and wants players to have a smile on their face all the time around the place. He has great enthusiasm and it rubs off on people.

“He demands a lot from his players ever day of the week right through to the game.

“But he wants them to enjoy themselves and express themselves when they play.”

While Sunderland now have the edge over Bolton, difficulties lie ahead for Bruce, who will be without six first-choice players for their St Stephen’s Day trip to Manchester United.

And, with Bolton possessing one of the smallest squads in the Premier League, both managers are assessing what needs to be done in the January transfer window to keep them moving forward. Don’t expect them to be busy.

Bruce said: “If you look at what we’ve got, we’re far stronger than we’ve ever been. We’ve got four or five missing but still got a decent squad and decent bench. That’s good. It has to be enough.’’ Coyle’s main concern is keeping defender Gary Cahill, who has been linked with several clubs.

“His situation is exactly as it’s been before. They are just rumours,” said Coyle.

“He’s a Bolton player and I want this group to stay together and if possible to add to it. I’ve no reason to think he won’t be at Bolton for the long term.’’