Jonny: Bring back the good times
Jonny Evans would love to relive one of the best memories of his Sunderland career when the Black Cats visit Derby tomorrow.
Evans was part of the Sunderland side that beat Derby at the Stadium of Light last season on the way to claiming the Championship title.
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A David Connolly penalty gave the home side a first-half lead before Derby levelled through an individual effort from Giles Barnes.
Liam Miller won it for Sunderland at the death, ghosting into the area for an injury-time header that sparked wild celebrations – in the home crowd at least.
Evans, back on Wearside for his second loan spell from Manchester United, said: "Looking back at that game last season, it was probably my most enjoyable victory with Sunderland.
"They were above us in the league but we were closing the gap on the top teams and it was a big win for us. We'd made a habit of scoring late goals and that was one of the most important.
"We needed the three points to catch up Derby and beating them gave us a big boost, just as winning tomorrow would."
On paper, the situation facing the two clubs seems very different from when they met on Wearside just over a year ago.
Instead of pushing for honours, the combatants are scrapping for survival – with the Rams needing miracles and Sunderland far from secure in the top flight.
But Evans said: "I actually think there are a lot of similarities between what's happening now and what we had to do last season.
"For different reasons, every game left this season is a cup final for us and Derby because the points are probably even more important to us both in terms of staying up."
Evans is not too surprised to see Derby as one of the favourites to go down, but could not have foreseen them struggling quite so badly.
Paul Jewell's side – led to promotion via the play-offs by Billy Davies – have only nine points and need seven more to avoid replacing Sunderland as the team with the lowest ever tally.
"The promoted clubs usually have a battle on their hands in the Premier League, as all the clubs that came up last season have found," said the 21-year-old defender. "The play-off winners are probably at a disadvantage because they have less time to prepare for the Premier League.
"Their season lasts longer because of the play-offs, so the manager has less time to get players. Derby were a good side last season, but the Premier League is a big step up and they're having a bad time.
"We can't have any sympathy, though. We need to go there and do a professional job because Derby weren't too far behind us in the league last season and will be just as desperate to win as we are."
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
