Westwood stakes his claim

WHILE Shay Given remains an automatic choice for the Republic of Ireland, a genuine challenger to the goalkeeper is finally emerging in the shape of Sunderland’s Keiren Westwood.

There was always a question mark over the former Carlisle and Coventry player while he remained untested in the Premier League, but Westwood was impressive here as he started his second game at the top level in England.

Westwood, 27 and with eight caps, was responsible for two splendid saves at crucial stages of the game, earning praise from his manager Steve Bruce and the Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Bruce said: “He’s did well, but that’s why we brought him in. Fair play to Keiren because there have been times when he probably thought he deserved his chance. But he stuck at it, kept training and working hard at it.

This was his second full Premier League game and we can only be delighted. He looked very assured and has produced another great performance.”

Schwarzer agreed: “I had a word with him and told him he did very well, he looks a very promising young keeper. I told him keep coming for those crosses, I liked it when he did that.”

Schwarzer’s own contribution to this stalemate was equally impressive, highlighted by a remarkable save in stoppage time when he kicked away a deflected shot from Stephane Sessegnon.

Bruce was not surprised that Schwarzer had frustrated him again. He said: “My record over Fulham is horrific and it just seems to be him. He’s been a proven goalkeeper in the Premier League for years.

“Mark’s been remarkably consistent, as good as you get. The save at the death was typical of him and what he can produce.”

And, while Schwarzer is now 39, the former Middlesbrough keeper intends to be around for a lot longer to further frustrate Bruce.

He said: “There is no deadline. I have a goal in international football to get to the World Cup in 2014. Whether that is possible or not, we will have to wait and see. It is small steps at a time.

“It has given me a big new lease of life moving down south. It gave me a big boost.

“You have to be realistic and realise how privileged we are to play football for a living and at this level in the Premier League, the best in the world and I love it.

“There is no age limit. I look at [Spurs keeper] Brad Friedel and he is older than me and he has told me he will play for at two more seasons, so I have to at least match that.

“Brazil is my goal without a doubt. I like to set myself targets to work towards and so far the international scene is going very well.”

Both keepers were given solid protection by defenders who emerged as the dominant figures in a game which vividly illustrated the lack of imagination that has kept both teams marooned in the bottom half of the table.

There was little here to suggest they can start to climb higher, although Sunderland did have the edge for much of the match and twice struck the bar in the first half.

Bruce now prepares for another home game against Wigan, only too aware Sunderland must win to appease supporters who far from convinced about his recent recruitment policy. Grumbles at the final whistle will become louder and more sustained unless they start to move up the table.

He said: “We need a bit of patience, but we do need to have a result — that’s what the Premier League is. There’s an expectation and a pressure, but we can look forward to the challenge of it and win the match.

“Our fans come in their thousands which creates the pressure. Let’s make no mistake — there’s more pressure here than at a Bolton or a Blackburn or a Fulham or a Wigan because the support we have is quite unique. It’s fantastic. And it’s up to us to give them something to shout about at home.”

Fulham at least have an excuse for their failure to add to two Premier League victories this season since this was their 25th game, nearly double the number that Sunderland have played.

Martin Jol, the Fulham manager, said: “We have played a lot of games and Sunderland have played half as many, which is a big advantage.

“Fatigue was a worry from the start of the season. We had to play the same team even in the Europa League qualifiers in June. Now the biggest problem is international duty involving my players. Damien Duff played twice in a week and couldn’t run in last 10 minutes because he was so tired. I have a very fit squad. They are not the youngest but we will cope.”