Blackpool 1 Sunderland 2

Sunderland's travelling fans bellowed their disgust at Darren Bent's shock move to Aston Villa in the language of the shop floor. But Kieran Richardson stepped forward to fill the breach with two goals to sink Blackpool. He might have had at least a hat-trick as he tormented Ian Holloway's side, and Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said: 'I must have asked him to play in five or six positions this season and we know he is capable of a performance like that. Richardson, playing just behind Asamoah Gyan, had not scored this season, but the former Manchester United man revelled in his attacking role, handing his shirt to a Sunderland fan at the final whistle. Richardson was the catalyst for a victory which cemented Sunderland in sixth place. However, Blackpool manager Holloway raved about his midfield fulcrum, Charlie Adam, and railed at the clubs who want to lure him away. Adam would have been on the scoresheet long before his 86th-minute penalty but for Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon. (Daily Mail)