Westwood finally laying down law

SEVEN years ago, after his release by Manchester City, such was his disenchantment with football that Keiren Westwood was on the verge of joining the police force.

The application forms were filled in and ready, but remained unsent as the Mancunian eventually embarked on a journey through the lower leagues that will, on Saturday, see the amiable Republic of Ireland goalkeeper complete a remarkable turnaround in fortunes by making his full Premier League debut at Old Trafford.

Crime fighting’s loss has clearly been Sunderland’s gain.

With Shay Given, to whom he will be understudy against Estonian in next month’s Euro 2012 finals play-off, taking a keen interest from the opposite goal, the Sunderland keeper played a key role after his second-half introduction for Simon Mignolet, who faces surgery on a badly broken nose, after the Belgian came off second best in a clash with Emile Heskey’s forearm.

Previously confined to Carling Cup outings for his new club, Westwood had little time to acclimatise, and was soon forced into a vital block to deny Darren Bent.

“He’s been waiting patiently and has been training well for weeks without having a chance,” manager Steve Bruce reflected on Westwood’s immediate impact. “Thankfully, all that hard work’s paid off, and he’s saved us.’’

That Westwood’s pivotal save should come at the expense of Bent, given a torrid reception on his return to the Stadium of Light in the wake of his acrimonious departure in January, merely added to the stand-in keeper’s cult-hero status.

“Nine times out of 10 Darren would have put that away,” Kieran Richardson, the Sunderland defender, conceded. “It wasn’t to be for him and Westy made a great save.”

With Westwood’s heroics, a fresh injury set-back for John O’Shea, and another welcome appearance off the bench for David Meyler in his come-back from a career-threatening knee problem, there was a strong Irish theme running through this encounter. It was added to when Richard Dunne, the scorer of a decisive own goal on his last appearance on Wearside, glanced home a Stiliyan Petrov free-kick late on to restore the visitors’ lead and seemingly give them all three points. It wasn’t to be, as Villa’s frailty from defensive set-pieces returned to haunt them a minute from time, Stephane Sessegnon, the smallest player on the pitch, heading home a Seb Larsson free-kick from close range.

Sunderland had already pegged back Alex McLeish’s side once before the break, a first Premier League goal for the prodigious teenage talent that is Connor Wickham, thrashed home with a confident left-foot drive, cancelling out an equally impressive long-range effort from Petrov.