Ade calms the fans.

After having won only one of our last seven games which has resulted in a steady slip down the league table, we knew that today was the day when we must stop the rot although our opponents Sunderland were having a rough time also, having taken only two points from the last four games. City nerves have been jangling of late and it has unfortunately been our £5 million striker Akinbiyi who has been the target of abuse from some sections of the City crowd - hardly the way to inspire confidence in a player who has been trying hard to justify his position.

The game started briskly, but it was a pass from Quinn to Kevin Kilbane which posed the first threat, but Kilbane muffed his shot and on form Simon Royce had no difficulty in making a clean save. Our first threat came from a header by Gary Rowett which Sorenson tipped out of danger. City had begun the first half slowly as has been their habit of late but we slowly came to life with a blocked shot by Akinbiyi and then, on 30 minutes Frank Sinclair crossed the ball from the right and Sturridge put it in the net with a glancing header. This gave the ex Derby striker his third goal in the last three matches.

After 54 minutes John Oster received his second yellow card for a foul on Savage and off he went. The weakened Sunderland side battled on with little effect and in the 64th. minute, Akinbiyi scored our second goal when he diverted a low centre from Sturridge. Although this was not a spectacular goal, perhaps it will give Akininbiyi a little more self conviction which up to now he has sadly lacked.

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