Sunderland victory after penalty shoot-out

Thomas Sorensen proved to be Sunderland’s hero as the Premiership’s basement boys clinched a place in the FA Cup fifth round after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The Dane saved from former Newcastle striker Andy Cole and substitute Corrado Grabbi to pave the way for midfielder Gavin McCann to clinch victory from the spot after Blackburn captain Gary Flitcroft had twice cancelled out the Wearsiders’ leads in normal time.

Kevin Phillips netted the first penalty in the shoot-out for the home side before David Thompson shot over the top.

Kevin Kilbane made it 2-0 and then Cole saw his spot-kick saved by Sorensen before Jody Craddock blazed over the crossbar.

Grabbi was denied by the Danish goalkeeper again and then McCann’s effort was partially saved by Friedel only for the ball to cross the line.

There had been a point when it appeared Sunderland would not require the additional time or shoot-out as Phillips put the home side in front in the 10th minute only for Garry Flitcroft equalise five minutes before half-time.

However, when McCann restored the Black Cats’ lead with 11 minutes remaining it appeared Sunderland were heading into the fifth round.

But the late drama was only just beginning as with five seconds remaining on the clock Flitcroft popped up to score a second equaliser.

Sunderland went into a huddle as they prepared for kick-off in front of 15,745 fans at the Stadium of Light but it was the visitors who were first into their stride on a bitterly cold night.

The hosts were struggling to make an impression despite the industry of McCann and Kevin Kilbane in the middle of the park.

But they mounted their first serious foray into enemy territory with 10 minutes gone – to devastating effect.

McCann slipped a pass into Sean Thornton’s path. When he did the same to release Phillips inside the box the striker took his time before placing a low right-footed shot beyond Friedel to give his side a precious lead.

Phillips thought he was in again on 17 minutes when he raced away from Neill in pursuit of Stephen Wright’s long clearance, but an offside flag dashed his hopes.

The Black Cats should have extended their lead three minutes later when Michael Proctor, whose two own goals on Saturday had left him in tears, wormed his way into the Blackburn penalty area.

His clever run opened up the route to goal. But just when he looked as if he must shoot left footed he squared the ball for Phillips in an off-side position - and although the ball ended up in the back of the net, the celebrations ended almost as soon as they had begun.

The visitors had only Thompson’s wayward 25th-minute shot to show for their early efforts.

Sunderland pressed again on 29 minutes when Thornton crossed from the right, and after Phillips had got a touch Argentinian Julio Arca smashed a low shot wide.

Blackburn should have been back on level terms 11 minutes before the break after wing-back Nils-Eric Johansson turned up in the middle of the pitch to split the Sunderland rearguard with a slide-rule pass to Cole on the left side - but Sorensen got down well to save the right-footed shot.

The Wearsiders went close again six minutes before half-time when Kilbane picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and sent a dipping left-foot shot inches over Friedel’s bar.

Souness replaced James McEveley with John Douglas at the break, the new arrival slotting in at right-back.

But Sunderland went close to making it 2-0 within four minutes of the restart when McCann robbed Martin Taylor and set Phillips in on a race on goal.

Although his shot beat Friedel, the ball came back off the post and ran agonisingly wide of Proctor as he followed up.

The Wearsiders were punished within seconds when Thompson’s corner was headed firmly past Sorensen by Rovers captain Flitcroft.

It took a good save from American international Friedel to deny Phillips a second goal with 51 minutes gone after he had again found space inside the box.

Blackburn had a golden opportunity to nudge their way in front with 58 minutes gone when Johansson showed Wright a clean pair of heels down the left and crossed to the far post - but Douglas side-footed over with the goal at his mercy.

The home supporters were off their seats on 69 minutes when Arca and Phillips combined to set up Thornton 20 yards out – but he drilled his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Proctor was booked for a late challenge on Neill. But McCann forced a good save from Friedel, and then Tugay blazed a right-foot effort wide amid hesitation in the home defence.

Sunderland restored their lead with just 11 minutes remaining when Kilbane headed Wright’s long throw out to McCann who lashed an unstoppable volley past the goalkeeper.

Phillips only just failed to make it three with 83 minutes gone.

Thompson saw his close-range shot deflected just wide, and from the resulting corner both substitute Egil Ostenstad and Henning Berg had chances to convert Flitcroft’s cross.

The visitors finally got their reward when Thompson curled a cross to the far post where Flitcroft once again timed his run to perfection to side-foot past the helpless Sorensen.

Friedel had to be at his best 10 minutes into extra-time when he dived full length to keep out Thornton’s well-struck drive after substitute George McCartney had burst up field from left-back.

Phillips directed a header straight at the goalkeeper from Thornton’s cross two minutes later, but there was still nothing to choose between the two teams and the shoot-out ensued.