PAULO DI CANIO dedicated his first victory as Sunderland manager to his mother who passed away a year ago a year ago.
Sunderland won 3-0 in their Premier League derby at Newcastle United to enhance Di Canio’s chances of leading the club away from trouble near the foot of the table. And, while the Italian handed most of the credit to his players, he was also thinking of his mother Pierina as the final whistle went.
The match was played 24 hours after the first anniversary of her death and Di Canio dedicated the success to her.
“I saw my mother’s face just before the kick-off and it was a very emotional moment for me,” he said. “I was in the dug out the day after she passed away and we won the game — and it has happened again. My dedication goes to her.”
Whatever the inspiration for Sunderland’s most convincing derby victory over Newcastle in 34 years, Sunderland’s supporters were happy to witness it.
Di Canio has been at the club for less than a fortnight, but was already aware of what this match meant to them, an importance increased by the need for points to ease relegation concerns.
“It was important to get the three points because there is a big rivalry between the clubs that is famous around world,” said the Italian. “It is a massive step in terms of a result for this area, but a small step in terms of the table. It’s a little step, but a very important one.
“We are not safe but it’s still a fantastic result for everybody. What the players gave today was special. They were warriors. It is the best win of my career so far. I was at Swindon and won the league and many important games in the cup, but it is special when you arrive at the top league in the world and win one of the hottest derbies in the world.
“They fight for the kingdom in this area, so this is a fantastic moment, but it means nothing if we don’t stop up.”
Will the fight against Dubois be rescheduled.
As long as Bivol stayed on his feet he was getting that result so that Eddie and the Saudies could bring us the trilogy fight.
@Jp Cleary: in fairness he boxed the right fight using his jab and combinations to keep Artur at distance. Bivol speed and countering were excellent in the latter half of the fight and the cross was given Artur all sorts of problems. It was close 115-113 was fair. Artur had the better early and late rounds with his pressure and shot selection, but Bivol adapted, a trilogy is a must, two close fights. I know Parker is trained by Andy Lee but Christ, give these two light heavyweights greats the headline. They’ll go down as legends. I would love to see the trilogy in vegas but that unfortunately wont happen with the Saudi money.
@John Clifford: how much did bakole get for the two rounds it was a total mismatch he didn’t look like the first cousin of a boxer?
John Clifford.. completely agree wrong fight getting the headlines here .. beterbiev-bivol super fight real skill between two elite fighters.. beterbiev is very unusual at forty to be able to compete with a man who dismantled canello.. bivol will win fight three I’d say, age has to be on his side a bit plus supreme skills
Fairplay him taking bokole out nowhere always was going be dangerous he can put feet up in morecambe againg Tyson hughie and all the boys.
@Paully kells: what you say Paully???