Happy anniversary victory for O'Neill

TWELVE months on and, it seems, Martin O'Neill can still inspire Sunderland. A year to the day since the revival started during his first game as Sunderland manager, the hope on Wearside will be that a fightback has begun once more.

O'Neill might not have been expecting to start this particular anniversary in a similar, depressing position to that when he agreed to take over: In the Premier League's bottom three.

But if there were any doubts about the O'Neill effect then the manner of last night's 3-0 win over Reading at the Stadium of Light should act as a worthy indication that it still exists in the dressing room.

There was also a subtle display of pre-match support from the boardroom when Ellis Short, the club's owner and chairman, conducted a timely meet and greet around the media room.

But it was on the pitch where Sunderland needed to let their feet do the talking and James McClean had a key role to play, just as he did in December 2011.

McClean's introduction against Blackburn on December 11 last year inspired a much-needed turn around and helped to lift Sunderland away from trouble, with seven wins recorded during O'Neill's first ten league games.

This time the Irishman struck the crucial, early opener inside three minutes to ease any tension and the Black Cats rarely looked back. How Sunderland could do with a similar run starting now.

With just two wins from their previous 23 league outings, they needed a second goal and Steven Fletcher's cheeky finish delivered it in the 28th minute.

And Stephane Sessegnon added a third in injury-time to end a run of six home matches without a win in style to lift them out of the relegation zone. Now they must ensure they stay out of it.

Sunderland needed a positive start to erase any suspicion of nerves. That was exactly what they got, making the most of an early corner that came their way.

When goalkeeper Adam Federici's punch from Adam Johnson's corner failed to make it out of the Reading box, McClean pounced quickly to hammer a low left-foot shot which curled inside the near post.

It brought an immediate sense of relief, both among supporters and players. Reading looked stunned and Sunderland were looking to quickly increase their advantage.

A similar effort from Johnson found the wrong side of the netting shortly after a terrific move almost earned a quick-fire second.

When Fletcher, back in the team after passing a late fitness test on an injured ankle, flicked into the path of Seb Larsson the Swede ran clear on goal. But Federici dived strongly to his right to turn behind for a corner.

There was a quarter of an hour period after that when Sunderland lost their vibrancy clearly apparent in the opening exchanges.

Pearce, in fact, should have levelled when he was allowed the freedom to sidefoot Nicky Shorey's free-kick narrowly wide of the upright.

In truth, though, that opportunity was one of the few occasions when the Royals managed to find the space or the invention to find a way through.

McClean looked hungry and revitalised after his goal and was a regular threat to right-back Shaun Cummings, who was far too occupied by the winger to keep an eye on the excellent - again - Danny Rose.

Rose, one of O'Neill's few bright lights during their depressing run, was again forward-thinking to prove the second goal's key mover.

After picking up possession deep inside the Reading half, the England Under-21 international darted one way and then the other before directing a powerful centre towards Fletcher.

The £12m striker, with his back to goal, competently flicked his left boot onto the ball under attention from his marker to direct a neat finish low and beyond Federici for his seventh of the season.

Johnson had limped his way through the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes after Jobi McAnuff caused a dead leg. That, ultimately, led to the winger's withdrawal, with Phil Bardsley introduced for the second period.

Bardsley will have been disappointed to have been left out at the expense of Craig Gardner, but the midfielder vindicated the decision by adding plenty attacking verve from defence.

Despite one or two stray passes from Gardner, he was actually missed down the flank after the restart even if Bardsley did bring extra defensive steel.

And while Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet had a relatively quiet night, he had to be alert to turn a Shorey free-kick behind for a corner which was destined for the top corner. He also made a stunning stop to thwart a late header from Noel Hunt.

But Sunderland's second half performance was sufficient. Sessegnon had already gone close with a drive well held by Federici before he added the third.

Carlos Cuellar's through pass was controlled by the African. He tapped the ball away from the stranded Federici before rolling his third goal of the season into the empty net.

December dates with Manchester United, Southampton, Manchester City and Tottenham are to come so the battle has hardly been won. But the slide, at least, has been addressed and hope has returned to Wearside.

MATCHFACTS

Goals: McClean (3mins, 1-0); Fletcher (28, 2-0); Sessegnon (90, 3-0)

Bookings: Mariappa (13, foul); Rose (53, foul); Fletcher (73, dissent)

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Stockport) 6

Attendance: 37, 723

Entertainment: 3/5

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Mignolet 7; Gardner 7, O'Shea 6, Cuellar 7, ROSE 8 (Vaughan 70, 6); Johnson 6 (Bardsley 46, 5 (Bramble 76)), Larsson 6, Colback 6, McClean 7; Sessegnon 8, Fletcher 7. Subs (not used): Campbell, Wickham, Kilgallon, Westwood (gk).

READING (4-4-2): Federici 7; Cummings 4, Mariappa 4, Pearce 5, Shorey 6; McCleary 4 (Samuel 72), TABB 7, Leigertwood 6, McAnuff 6; Le Fondre 5, Hunt 7. Subs (not used): Ggunter, Gorkss, Harte, Gunnarsson, Obita, Taylor (gk).

MAN OF THE MATCH: DANNY Rose - a standing ovation and an assist for Fletcher's clever flick. All in a good night's work for the left-back.