McAteer's first is just right for Reid

13 April 2012

Jason McAteer and Peter Reid will forever hold their first club Bolton close to their hearts but the two Scousers will not care a jot today that they have pushed Sam Allardyce and his men closer to the drop.

There is no room for sentiment and affection in the Premiership's battle for survival and Sunderland will be delighted to have created breathing space between themselves and the bottom three.

McAteer has already scored a hugely significant goal this season, having claimed the dramatic winner which knocked Holland out of the World Cup Finals and sent the Republic of Ireland through to a play-off win over Iran.

But the ? 500,000 signing, who joined from Blackburn in October, had to wait until last night for his first Sunderland strike. And he celebrated it just as joyously as that unforgettable half-volley at Lansdowne Road in November.

Last night the smiles belonged to Reid and his players, but the Sunderland manager will have every sympathy for his opposite number and close friend Allardyce.

Bolton had much the better of the second half and created a number of chances which had Reid and an anxious Stadium of Light crowd chewing their fingernails until the final minute.

Thomas Sorensen managed to maintain Sunderland's lead with a combination of good fortune and brilliance, defying Rod Wallace with one lucky brush of his legs and Gudni Bergsson with an instinctive reflex save in injury-time.

Poor Allardyce, aware that a win would have taken his side above Sunderland, could only puff his cheeks in frustration when Wallace missed the best chance of the night which he headed on to the top of the Sunderland keeper's net. To add to his agony Mike Whitlow and

Michael Ricketts were both forced off with injuries and could be out for weeks.

Allardyce said: 'It has been an extremely bad night in terms of the result and losing two important players for the run-in. Mike has broken ribs and Michael has hurt his knee and we will have to see how they are.

'I thought we deserved something from the game but the bottom line is if you don't take your chances, you get nothing. It leaves us in a pressure situation.

'We have Derby now after the break, which is one hell of a pressure game for both sides and one we are probably under more pressure to win because they are not expected to get out of trouble and we have started to slip down.'

McAteer's goal ensured the same fate seems unlikely to befall Sunderland now, even if they are still far from convincing.

The Ireland international had one goal chalked off for an obvious foul and another good effort blocked by Bergsson before sealing three points with a fine finish following excellent work from Kevin Kilbane.

Phillips also had a late goal disallowed for offside and the record-breaking striker's frustrations boiled over in injurytime when he was booked for kicking the ball away.

Reid said: 'That was a big, big game and a big, big win. I'm sorry for Sam and a side I have a great regard for but I think they will have enough to stay up.

'Jason got in a few times and as Bolton fans know he can get forward like that. He has been outstanding in the middle for me and that may be the fillip he needs to have the confidence to get into those positions.'

Reid also revealed that Cameroon international Patrick Mboma played after having a pain-killing injection in his back, and despite the death of his close friend, Congo international Jason Mayele, a 25-year- old Chievo player who died in a car accident on Saturday.

The Sunderland boss said: 'Jason was his best friend and like a brother so he has gone through a lot to play for us.'

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