Sunderland vs Watford match report: Patrick van Aanholt proves Black Cats are alive and kicking in relegation battle

Sunderland 1 Watford 0: Van Aanholt pounced on the rebound from his own shot to secure three points that lifts Sunderland to within a whisker of safety

Patrick van Aanholt celebrates scoring for Sunderland against Watford with what proved to be the winning goal (Getty)

The glimmer of hope is back. Sunderland, the perennial relegation fighters, have life, and after a slender victory, through a Patrick Van Aanholt goal four minutes into the second half, are now one point and one place off safety.

That seemed unfeasible just a month ago.

The club with no money and a mounting debt have finally found the fight to suggest there may yet be another attempt at their latest great escape in the New Year.

It was never pretty and it could not have been a more contrasting game of two halves.

Sunderland were dreadful before the break.Watford were woeful after it.

David Moyes and the Stadium of Light did not care, when Bobby Madley blew his whistle, five minutes after the regulation 90 had finished.

“I’m thrilled to get the win,” said David Moyes, who had revealed his anger in the build-up to the game that he would not be allowed to strengthen a threadbare squad in January.

Huerlho Gomes saved Van Aanholt's first effort but couldn't keep out the rebound (Getty)

“It was really important to get the win for the players and the club and for us to stay in touch. Look, there were bits not as nice as a I like, but we stuck at it and there was lots of resilience. We had some good defending and some not.

“The players showed good steel today. We have shown a lot of that in games.

“We have a small group of players, we needed them, and our small staff and the fans together.

“We have a good siege mentality within the club. We need the crowd to be with us all the way. Then we have a big chance. It’s big we’re off the bottom.

“We have won three out of four home games. That sounds better. That is what you hope you get.”

Van Aanholt is swamped by his Sunderland teammates after scoring (Getty)

Sunderland have a chance, which, given their financial predicament and the fact Ellis Short is now a willing seller, has not always appeared the case.

It didn't for long spells yesterday as well.

Jordan Pickford excelled early against Watford, a left wing corner from Etienne Capoue with just 90 seconds gone having the accuracy to pick out Nordin Amrabat, on the edge of the home penalty area. Amrabat’s volley was struck with precision and was flying towards the top corner before Pickford’s acrobatic stop.

On the quarter hour mark Jose Holebas wriggled his way to the byline, crossed low and only a slight deflection of Donald Love redirected the ball away the waiting Odion Ighal, inside the six yard area.

Walter Mazzarri could not hide his despair 11 minutes later, when his team once more spurned a golden opportunity to take the lead.

This time a Capoue right wing free-kick was perfect for Miguel Britos, who beat three waiting Watford team-mates to head, but with the goal at his mercy, he headed wide. Mazzarri could not believe the miss, but another opportunity was just five minutes away. A free-kick was launched from the left and Sebastien Prodl rose and could only head straight at Pickford. Only at the end of the first half was there a sign of life in the home side, and perhaps tellingly it came from Van Aanholt, who sneaked in at the near post and drilled a left footed shot that was saved by Gomes.

David Moyes celebrates at the full-time whistle as Sunderland beat Watford (Getty)

The same player would not be denied four minutes after the restart. Adnan Januzaj broke down the middle of the Watford half and played Jermain Defoe through to his right. Defoe struck a low cross that Van Aanholt could not convert at the first attempt, but with the substitute Christian Kabasele grounded, the Sunderland left back clipped a shot that went into the visiting goal off the far post.

The goal changed the game. Watford retreated and Sunderland, from nowhere, took control and then searched for a second. In the 57th minute Defoe cut inside and crashed a shot over the bar and five minutes later, fine skill from Januzaj created an opportunity from 18 yards for Victor Anichebe and the powerful forward smashed a shot narrow wide of Gomes’ near post. Lamine Kone then saw a close range header deflected over the bar.

In the 73d minute Watford had their chance, but Tory Deeney sent his diving header wide.

Pickford is a player inspired. Twice with four minutes he saved well, from Daryl Janmaat and then from Ighalo.

“It was disappointing,” said Mazzarri. “The main reason is because the way we played we cannot miss all the chances we created. If you miss the chances you can get punished.”

Teams

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Love (Larsson 87), Kone, Djilbodji, Van Aanholt; Ndong, Denayer; Borini, Januzaj (O’Shea 80), Anichebe; Defoe.

Watford (4-4-2): Gomes; Kabul, Prodl (Kabasele 31), Britos, Holebas; Amrabat, Capoue, Behrami, Camilo Zuniga (Success 56); Deeney, Ighalo.

Referee: Mr R Madley