Proud to be there today and have just watched the full game again on TV. The team displayed superb commitment, organisation, energy, power, pace, desire, guile, and ability, and delivered one of the best team performances I have witnessed in a very very long time of watching the side. The spirit of '73 is there again for me. I called for the cup to be our priority before the 3rd round game and I'm delighted to see this has come to pass, and I'm still holding onto my 66-1 betting slip with ever increasing belief. Any one at home will do for me in the next round, we should fear no one. Some say God we say O'Neill A very very proud Blackcat
Where we sit in the East Stand the opinion was that the spirit on 73 has come back. I cannot recall a Sunderland team with that spirit since the 73 cup run, not even the excellent team that Reid took to 7th in the EPL in 2000 had such spirit. Cannot wait for the Cup draw tomorrow and will be happy with any team particularly at home.
Machine is the correct word. Efficient and with only one purpose, winning. The whole team combined it's parts to make a greater whole.
After the '73 semi-final, the Arsenal goalie, Bob Wilson, said "They must be the best hustlers in the business. If they play like that in the final, they'll win it". He could say the same about this team. Proud of them.
. . .absolutely Cutey. I was there as a kid in 73 and at the final and it just feels so similar in so many ways. Whatever happens from here on in we know our lads are going to give evertything for the club and the shirt. #feelsspecial. Buzzin!
Kieran Richardson preferred to focus on the team performance after playing a crucial role in securing Sunderland's place in the last eight of the FA Cup with Budweiser. Richardson scored the Black Cats' crucial first goal just prior to half-time before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's second-half own goal sealed a 2-0 win. "Being in the last eight is a massive achievement for the club," said the 27-year-old, who has scored three goals this season . "It's great to score a goal but the main thing is we have got through to the quarter-finals. Hopefully we'll get a good draw now." Richardson's moment came when Seb Larsson's free-kick found him via a headed clearance from Thomas Vermaelen . The Sunderland man returned the ball with interest, finding the corner with a low shot as the Wearsiders continue to roll along under the tutelage of a manager who Richardson feels deserves huge plaudits. "Seb put a great ball in from the free-kick and I just tried to concentrate on getting a good connection when the ball came out to me," he reflected. "Thankfully I did that. "Our attacking and defending was top-notch today; the lads are pressing well and working hard as a team. "Credit to the manager, who has come in and done a tremendous job." Richardson admitted victory was sweet following Thierry Henry's last-gasp winner in the Barclays Premier League at the Stadium of Light just over a week ago. Now he's focused on helping Sunderland achieve what would be a dream place at Wembley. "We were gutted last week, but we've got them back today," he explained. "A cup run isn't something we've had during my time at the club; we've always been knocked out early . "The gaffer has made sure we know he wants to win the cup, and that's something he's been saying ever since coming here." I'm guessing JoS....Brown... How many more have played in a FA Cup final?
