Sunderland had an array of players on international duty, with striker Asamoah Gyan stealing the show from England and more so Geordie turn coat Andy Carroll.
The international friendly which has had is criticism in the press and by football manager alike turned out to arguably the best international match the new Wembley Stadium has ever seen. England and visitors Ghana where both up for this match, many bookies had the African’s as an easy win for England but this couldn’t have been further from the truth.
Just a day before the day before England boss Capello had publically told Carroll to cut down on his intake of alcohol in his stereo typical Geordie style. A rebound from Stuart Downing outside leg that pundits had down as a great knock on late in the first half fell luckily to Carroll, not taking anything away from the lad he took his goal well.
The second half got under way with end to end football both teams having good chances and both teams played with great tempo. Its well seeing that Sunderland have to play Man City this weekend as the main man Asamosh Gyan was taken out by three out the four Man City players on the pitch.
How on earth Garth Barry even gets to put on an England strip never mind is made stand in captain is beyond me, but then again it’s just one of the “great” Capello’s managerial choices and we’ve all seen England’s performance in the world cup!
Ghana’s moment came in the 90th minute of the game in the form of striker Asamosh Gyan, dancing his way through three England players with some fantastic little touches to slot it passed the defence out of the reach of keeper Hart and into the back of the net. The Ghana fans celebrated like they had just won the world cup that is just how much this game meant to the small African country.
The final whistle came as the disgruntled England bench made their way down the tunnel, only for the Ghana team to carry on with their celebration dance.
I may be bias here but talking to fans of other teams in club Newcastle fans all agreed to that Gyan should have been awarded man of the match for his work rate alone he was second to none.