Charlton wreck Sunderland's Premiership homecoming
Saturday, 13 August 2005Darren Bent dealt sloppy Sunderland a warning of difficult times ahead as 10-man Charlton wrecked the home side's Premiership homecoming party with a 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
Bent's debut double proved his £2.5million move from Ipswich was money well spent for Alan Curbishley's bright and breezy Addicks who thoroughly deserved their win.
They made light of Darren Ambrose's 55th-minute red card for a clattering challenge on Stephen Wright and Bent's second deep into injury-time sparked jubilation among the small band of travelling fans.
For Sunderland, Bent's clinical finish was a chilling reminder of the difference between the top flight and the second tier which they breezed through last season.
The home side could have been dead and buried inside the first half hour and were always chasing the game after Bent's 11th-minute opener.
Andy Gray's goal on the half hour against the run of play gave the home side some hope of clawing their way back but Danny Murphy's 64th-minute free-kick made a revival short-lived.
