Reeves had a bit of a blinder too. He was showboating in the box at one point. Pretty bloody impressive. Nice one kid. To the reporter in one of the crappy tabloids who gave him 3 out of 10 for Saturday (after only getting on for 10 mins) - up yours, the kid's gonna be a star.

Little Stevenson got on. He's is only 2ft 3 (in his heels) and we must have had the shortest strikeforce in the world with Dickov towering above him at 3ft 4. Stevo chested the ball down wonderfully at one point showing a flash of real class. He didn't get too much of a chance to shine but if he grew 2ft we'd be laughing.

Ashton and Pipes both came on too. Ashton's throw ins are so exciting. It was great to have 4 of the kids on all together looking fit and bright and fast at the end of the game as the rest of our lot were looking a bit knackered! (long hard season and ready to collect pensions taking it's toll on some)

Sunderland kicked the shit out of the kids. Reeves will have stud marks everywhere. But he got up and got on with it. As did Pipes. They all seem very professional with great attitudes.

Walker made some blinding saves today to keep us in the game. Matty was more on form, Rowett looked like he's never been gone. Mad Frank was in one of his "I'm gonna scare the shit out of you all" games, with mad backpassses, sliced clearances and balls across our goal to their players instead of ours. Not one of his better performances! But we still love him.

Sav didn't seem to get into it 100% really. He spent half the game going over to the bench getting instructions. Maybe he should spend more time on his own game instead of being Bassett's messenger boy? Just didn't seen totally focussed at times as if he was too busy sorting everyone else out.

Dickov was looking nippy again and can control a ball well. Deane was, er... Deane. Won lots on the air but never really did anything with it and way way too slow; was never gonna beat their defenders to anything.

What was really good though was the commitment and passion in the 2nd half. Should've definately got something from the game, they played their hearts out and were all over Sunderland for the second 45 mins. Quite a good game really, loads of excitement at both ends. A piddling amount of City fans (400?) there hardly able to raise a song all game though.

Pre-match and half time entertainment came from Damage. Yes, it was as crap as Leicester's...dreadful sound. Stick to Top of the Pops lads. Great atmosphere as usual at times in the Stadium of Light...the crescendo hurts your ears when they really get going, but no hot dogs? Shoddy.