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.