From Man Utd reserve to Sunderland star?
Jonny Evans says it's time for him to make his mark and prove he's better than a Manchester United reserve.
The centre-back was impeccable as the first Premier League game of his career brought a 2-0 win for Sunderland over Portsmouth yesterday – the Black Cats' second successive home league victory.
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Cramp eventually forced the 20-year-old out of the game, but he says he already feels "back home".
Evans, who has signed on loan from Old Trafford until the end of the season, said: "I've played more international games than Premier League games.
"I'm 20 now and I feel it's about time I made my mark in the Premier League.
"To get a win on my Premier League debut is fantastic, but the lack of games showed and I could feel my calves starting to tighten about 10 minutes before I eventually went down with the cramp.
"It was great to get 75 minutes under my belt and I'm sure I'll get stronger.
"After having such a great time here last season I feel like there's unfinished business for me at Sunderland and hopefully I can play a part in us climbing the league."
Evans lost only one of the 18 Championship games he played for Sunderland last season but knows life will be tougher in the top flight.
"I've not had the chance to play in the Premier League for United, but it's obviously a big step up from the Championship," said the Belfast native.
"Last season was incredible, but helping to keep Sunderland in the Premier League would be a bigger achievement.
"The manager is looking to bring a few more lads in, but I think there is a good enough squad to stay in the Premier League."
Ex-United midfielder Kieran Richardson stole the show with both of Sunderland's first-half goals yesterday and the Black Cats were able to defend the advantage by producing only a third shut-out of the campaign.
"It was good to get the clean sheet," admitted Evans.
"Portsmouth had a good chance early in the game, but, apart from that, they didn't get behind us that often.
"The clean sheet felt as good for us as defenders as the goal must have for Kieran.
"He deserved the man-of-the-match awards, though, because he got the goals but not only that, he was back at the end making tackles and doing his bit to make sure we didn't concede."
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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