The midfielder's glorious
second-half strike proved to be the difference as the Black Cats marched on in
the FA Cup
Craig Gardner scored the only goal
of the game as Sunderland progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a
win over Southampton.
The midfielder rifled home a delightful drive in
the second half, maintaining the Black Cats ' fine form in cup competitions
this season.
Both sides rotated heavily for the
game: Gus Poyet rested Jack Colback, Vito Mannone and Adam Johnson, while Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino opted to leave
out Jay Rodriguez, Artur Boruc, Jose Fonte and Morgan Schneiderlin.
James Ward-Prowse spurned the best
chance of a goalless opening period, with neither side finding their stride in
front of a sparse Stadium of Light crowd.
It would be the hosts who took the
initiative in the second period, pressing with energy and attacking with some
menace. Eventually the pressure told, Gardner finding space on the edge of the
area and clattering a shot home via the underside of the bar.
Saints almost hit back through
Rickie Lambert, but the England man contrived to fire over from three
yards.
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