Pulsating

A couple of positive results have lifted the mood a little at Valley Parade and the visit of Sunderland saw the largest crowd of the season. The ever impressive travelling support of the Black Cats can take a lot of credit for that and there was a big match atmosphere throughout.

City started brightly, but Sunderland withstood early pressure and were soon controlling the game. Their first goal came after twenty minutes and for a while it looked like they would run away with it, but City held on and it remained only 0-1 at half-time.

The second half was a pulsating affair, with both teams going toe to toe, and on occasion forehead to forehead. City equalised soon after the restart but Sunderland regained the lead just two minutes later. An off the ball challenge led to a Sunderland red card and a penalty for Bradford, but Sunderland's keeper, former Bantam John McLaughlin, pulled off a good save in front of the kop. City's tails were still up though, and they continued to press for an equaliser, but Sunderland were resolute, and when Bradford's Sean Scannell was sent off near the end the game drifted toward a close.

Despite the loss, this still seemed a positive performance for City. Sunderland still have a team full of Premier League experience and that showed, but the City players did well to bring themselves back into the match. This was comfortably the best game at Valley Parade this calendar year.