Livewire Duff continues where he left off

Damien Duff has a lot to live up to these days - but on Saturday's evidence his scintillating World Cup was merely an appetiser.

Where Cameroon, Germany and Spain struggled, Sunderland followed suit, run ragged by the left winger who just keeps getting better.

Somehow the game ended goalless but, on the Irish star's part at least, it was not for the want of trying.

The 23-year-old was everywhere. Probing, dribbling, dummying and crossing. His pace is the kind of asset Wearside debutant Stephen Wright - booked after just 30 seconds for clattering Duff - must have nightmares about.

Duff's finest moment came just after the hour. Picking the ball up on half-way, the Dubliner teased Gavin McCann into a challenge and, with the England midfielder grounded, he ripped through the gears, ghosted past Wright and fired in a vicious drive that Thomas Sorensen somehow saved.

But there was more. All afternoon in fact. Little wonder Liverpool and Manchester United are so keen on such a precocious talent.

Like manager Graeme Souness, who has slapped a £20million fee on Blackburn's prize asset, Rovers defender Craig Short, believes it is time for Duff to repay the club who gave him his chance in football.