Quality crossing catalyst for victory

Sunderland 3 Bolton Wanderers 1:In different ways Nicolas Anelka and Kieran Richardson have spent too long occupying individual comfort zones, but the signs are that 2008 might be the year when both emerge from their respective cocoons. While an impending transfer should enable the Bolton Wanderers striker to stretch his talent by connecting with passes far cleverer than most at the Reebok can provide, the Sunderland winger hopes to become better known for crossing than partying.

As Chelsea and Manchester City, among others, prepare to make January moves for Anelka, Richardson appears to have had an epiphany already. The England Under-21 international arrived on Wearside last summer after being offloaded by Manchester United, where some questioned his dedication.

The season had barely begun before he was diagnosed with a small spinal fracture. Remarkably, Richardson had played with it for some months, attributing his chronic back pain to a bad choice of mattress, before scans finally revealed a problem undetected by his medical at Sunderland. This belated diagnosis left him enveloped in a plaster cast for four weeks before spending a further 12 on the sidelines.

"The cast got very sweaty," admitted the left-winger, who not only scored the opening goal - an angled, first-time, left-foot strike which flew into the top corner via the inside of a post - but set them on the way to a win against fellow strugglers which rekindled hopes that Sunderland may yet avoid relegation.

"It's been very frustrating but, when you are away from football, you appreciate it more," reflected Richardson. "I've missed it so much. It does mean more to me than before; I am so hungry now. I did take football for granted sometimes but now I realise how much I love it."

Indeed, Roy Keane hinted that the broken back may have been a blessing in disguise for a 23-year-old once dubbed the "new Ryan Giggs".

"Having a bad injury gives you a chance to reflect on what you're doing on and off the pitch," said Sunderland's manager. "When you're injured you're forgotten about, and it's been a chance for Kieran to reflect on what he's doing with his life. It might have done him good; sometimes you need a setback. But Kieran's got something we've been missing."

His deliveries seemed to bring out the best in Kenwyne Jones. Having created Richardson's goal with an adroit swivel and pass, Jones headed Sunderland's second from the winger's corner.

Yet Bolton dominated after El Hadji Diouf's deceiving free-kick ended up in the bottom corner and Daryl Murphy 90th-minute left-foot finish flattered Sunderland.

They defended dangerously deep at times as Gary Megson's team repeatedly blitzed the ball into the home box. Unfortunately the lack of accuracy from the visitors was such that Anelka rarely received passes to feet and Craig Gordon barely had a save to make.

Jones also played well but Richardson's left-wing contribution was the catalyst for a home win.