Henderson brace boosts Black Cats

Jordan Henderson

12 April 2012

Local boy Jordan Henderson claimed a precious double as Sunderland finally ended their wait for a Barclays Premier League victory at the 10th attempt with a 4-2 win over struggling Wigan.

Wigan gave their own survival hopes a boost when Mohamed Diame blasted them into a 52nd-minute lead, but Asamoah Gyan levelled within three minutes to set up a grandstand finish.

Henderson fired the Black Cats in front 11 minutes later and after Stephane Sessegnon had converted a 73rd-minute penalty, added his second four minutes later to make substitute Franco di Santo's late strike irrelevant.

Wearsiders full-back Phil Bardsley was carried off the field on a stretcher having been given oxygen and taken straight to hospital after an early clash of heads with team-mate Nedum Onuoha. Anton Ferdinand took his place.

Diame put Wigan ahead seven minutes into the second half, turning expertly past Michael Turner before smashing a 25-yard drive past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

But the lead lasted just three minutes. Substitute Steed Malbranque cut inside before crossing perfectly for Gyan to rise and power home a close-range header.

However, the Ghanaian's joy was short-lived as he left the field on a stretcher within nine minutes having pulled up clutching his hamstring. The resulting reshuffle saw Sessegnon pushed up front, but it was Henderson who fired his side in front when he controlled Sulley Muntari's cross on his chest before drilling a left-foot half-volley into the top corner.

Sessegnon got his big chance with 17 minutes remaining when he was barged to the ground by defender Antolin Alcaraz inside the penalty area and referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot. The Benin international sent Ali Al Habsi the wrong way to wrap up the win, although he was not finished for the afternoon.

Four minutes later, it was Sessegnon who picked out Henderson in space inside the box and the youngster finished with aplomb once again.