McClean stars as Black Cats’ revival goes on

IRISH midfielder James McClean enhanced his growing reputation last night, scoring his first goal for Sunderland as the Black Cats hammered Wigan 4-1 to ensure Martin O’Neill’s golden start to life back in the Premier League continued.

McClean has made a number of cameos off the bench since O’Neill took charge last month, playing a key role in Sunday’s shock win over Manchester City. That was enough to secure another starting berth at the DW Stadium last night and the Derry youngster scored Sunderland’s second 10 minutes into the second half.

David Vaughan picked out the 22-year-old in the box, and, although Al Habsi produced a good save from his first header, the goalkeeper could do nothing about the follow-up.

Wigan dominated the first half and saw one shot cleared off the line and two hit the woodwork but they went into the break behind as Craig Gardner took advantage of the swirling wind to power a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner.

McClean extended the lead early in the second half and, although Hugo Rodallega briefly gave Wigan hope with his first of the season, Sunderland sealed the points through Stephane Sessegnon and David Vaughan.

The hosts looked confident in the early stages, with Rodallega twice going close. But Sunderland hit the front when Gardner’s wind-assisted free-kick found the top corner with Al Habsi rooted to the spot.

Things got even better for the visitors in the 55th minute when Vaughan doubled their lead.

Their two-goal advantage lasted only seven minutes, though, and for once it was Wigan who had the stroke of fortune. Rodallega’s turn on the edge of the box was sharp but his shot only beat Mignolet with the help of a big deflection off Matt Kilgallon.

Wigan’s hopes of taking something were extinguished in the 73rd minute, though, when Bendtner got away from Figueroa down the right and crossed for Sessegnon to convert.

Sunderland were having one of those nights and with 10 minutes to go Vaughan smashed home from 20 yards out.

WIGAN: Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Stam (Sammon 58), Watson (Diame 86), McCarthy, Jones, Gomez, Crusat (Moses 39), Rodallega.

SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Gardner (Elmohamady 83), Kilgallon, O’Shea, Colback, McClean (Ji 89), Cattermole, Vaughan, Richardson (Meyler 67), Sessegnon, Bendtner.

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral).