Bent's energy levels exceed expectations; Darren Bent provides the perfect combination of perspiration and inspiration, according to Steve Bruce. Mark Douglas reports.

Byline: Mark Douglas 

THERE is a saying about lies, damn lies and statistics but one figure thrown out by Steve Bruce yesterday seemed to sum up his new-look Sunderland pretty succinctly.

Darren Bent, he told reporters, ran the equivalent of 13 kilometres during the midweek defeat against Chelsea - an astonishing feat given that the average Premier League striker struggles to top 11 kilometres.

To put Bent's contribution in context, even all-action midfielders like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard rarely go above the 13 he managed to clock up as he darted about shoring up Sunderland's rearguard action against Carlo Ancelotti's rampant Blues.

Non-stop endeavour mixed in with a sprinkling of inspiration. It is the Bruce blueprint for remedying Sunderland's maddening inconsistency and despite Tuesday's set-back, the early signs are positive ones.

Sure, they spent the second half of Tuesday's mismatch chasing blue shadows as Chelsea chose a balmy night on Wearside to flex their title muscles. But the Sunderland of last season would have folded long before the Lampard penalty which broke the Black Cats' doughty resistance.

So if the defeat has taken some of the gloss off that impressive opening day victory over Bolton, it should not erode the optimism that Bruce is edging closer to coming up with a winning formula at the Stadium of Light. It helps that Bent has so far proved to be the polar opposite of his striking predecessor, the moody, brooding Djibril Ciss - on and off the pitch.

Neither Ricky Sbragia or Roy Keane ever divulged the Opta stats for the mercurial former French international but it is difficult to imagine him breaking into double figures at times during the dark days that arrived after December's brief upturn in fortunes.

No one would doubt that Ciss possessed a supreme touch in front of goal on occasion, but his all-round contribution paled into insignificance compared to the energetic endeavour of Bent. And while Ciss often gave the impression that he would rather be anywhere other than standing alongside Kenwyne Jones, Bent is plying his trade with a broad grin on his face that suggests he is finally playing his football unhindered by the doubts and anguish of his Tottenham days.

The endeavour has come with enterprise too, in the shape of a couple of expert goals in his first two competitive games.

No wonder Bruce reckons he wouldn't swap his new striker for any other forward in the Premier League.

"We were obviously disappointed to lose but there were positive signs there too. We ran out of juice badly in the end but for an hour the supporters can see we didn't give it up or give it in, so in that respect I was pleased," he said.

"Darren's contribution was there for all to see - 13 kilometres is phenomenal for a striker, believe me. They're usually around 11.

"Your midfield players are around 12 or 13 so the amount of ground he covers, it's fantastic. The North East public love their strikers so there is a real opportunity for him. They still talk about Phillips and Quinn here and while it's too early to make comparisons, the potential is there.

"He's the record signing, so for everybody we hope it goes well. There are some promising early signs of a partnership there with Kenwyne. It's progressing, it'll take a bit of time, but I've been very pleased with what they've done.

"Darren wants to play off the shoulder of another striker and he'll get the chance to do that playing with Kenwyne."

Success on-the-field has been matched by Bent's determination to settle into his new surroundings and become acquainted with the North East football scene.

In that respect he is more of an Anton Ferdinand than a Pascal Chimbonda or El-Hadji Diouf, the winger who is sure of a hot reception on his return to Wearside this afternoon. "That's why we went for him, he ticked all the boxes for us. I knew that he was desperate to come here and desperate to prove people wrong and wanted to play and had that hunger and desire," said Bruce.

"There was nothing to do with geography, he just wanted to play as Sunderland's centre forward and I've been delighted with him in these two games. His overall contribution to the team has been fantastic."

A rare visit to the North East by England manager Fabio Capello reignited talk of a recall to the national team and his claims are supported wholeheartedly by Bruce. If it is a given that Wayne Rooney is already on the plane to South Africa barring a catastrophic injury, then Bent is in a group of English strikers below Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch with everything to play for. A couple of predatory strikes in his first two games gives him the edge over Michael Owen, who has started life at Manchester United looking as toothless as he did at the fag end of his Newcastle career, and Aston Villa's flat-lining form may dent Emile Heskey's chances. Bent last played for England in Berlin in November, but Bruce believes he deserves to return to the fray. "He has had a wonderful start and he is English - and let's be fair now, there are not many English forwards now plying their trade in the Premier League," he said. "Where are they? There are about four or five - there are probably more than that - realistic ones, so if he keeps scoring a goal...

"And it is not just scoring a goal he has done well with, but his contribution to the team. He has been very influential. He works extremely hard and he is playing with a smile on his face, which is there for everybody to see."

Allardyce is eager to get off the mark

SAM Allardyce admits the pressure is already on as his Blackburn side go in search of their first points of the new season at Sunderland today, writes PHIL MEDLICOTT. Rovers are one of six clubs yet to get off the mark this year, having opened their Barclays Premier League campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City last Saturday. They did not play a part in a spate of midweek games, but with there having been no draws so far out of 16 league fixtures, Allardyce knows his team need to get up and running as soon as possible.

"We had no midweek game, so all of a sudden the pressure is there to secure the first points as quickly as you can," Allardyce said.

"We've got to do that at Sunderland - we've got to go and get a positive result, and come back with some points on the board.

"There's only been two games, but some teams will have played three when it comes up this weekend.

"It starts after two or three games now - it's not like six, eight or 10, it's after two or three."

Former Newcastle manager Allardyce - who both played and coached at Sunderland - admitted he was impressed with the direction the Black Cats are going in and identified their new twogoal striker Darren Bent as the man his team would need to watch most closely.

"I worked there twice, once as a player and once as an academy manager for Peter Reid, so I'm well aware of the passion in and around Sunderland," Allardyce said.

"They are the top dogs up there now in the North East, the only side up there in the Premier League.

"They have a new owner, a great chairman and a very good manager to boot now. "They are trying to put an ambitious club together to make sure it doesn't struggle in the league as it has done in the last two years, but we've got to go and spoil the party.

"They made a great effort against Chelsea on Tuesday night, but were overcome by outstanding ability.

"We have to go and match them and stop Darren Bent from scoring. He only had half a chance on Tuesday and put it in the back of the net, and scored a good header at Bolton."

NORTHERN ALLIANCE CARLISLE City are the unexpected leaders, topping the early Premier Division table with two straight wins.

In a midweek thriller at home to newly-promoted Stocksfield, City just edged it 4-3 with goals by Mike Holliday (2), Dan Barclay and Steve Bell. They'll hope to make it three in a row when they visit Heddon.

Another five teams have made unbeaten starts and Wark were 3-1 winners at Harraby on Wednesday.

Wark are away to another unbeaten side Murton this afternoon.

In midweek they drew 1-1 with visitors Killingworth Sporting, who were lucky to bag a stoppage-time leveller through Paul Dunn after Martin Blenkinsop put Murton in front. This weekend, top-flight newcomers Killingworth are away to Cramlington Town.

Seaton Delaval followed up an opening day draw by winning 2-0 away to Ashington Colliers with both goals claimed by Jeff Fuller. They are away again, visiting Harraby Catholic. After a curtain-raising draw with Wark at Monkchester, defending champions Walker Central got their act together.

Goals for David Dormand and John Robson gave them their first win in midweek, 2-1 away to close neighbours Heaton Stannington.

Manager Michael Jeffels is hoping for a similar outcome against Ponteland United this afternoon at the Leisure Centre Ground. Ponteland lost 3-1 at home to Shankhouse on Wednesday and are propping up the early table with no points as yet.

After gaining their first win at Ponteland's expense, Shankhouse will expect a repeat performance when they pay a visit to Ashington Colliers who, like Pont, haven't managed to get out of the blocks yet.

Blyth Town's first victory, 2-1 against midweek visitors Alnwick Town, was achieved with goals by Mark Waugh and Chris Lisle but although they're at home again, they are likely to be tested by new boys Stocksfield. Heaton Stannington face Alnwick Town at Grounsell Park.

BILL GARDNER

WEARSIDE LEAGUE

ASHBROOKE Belford House aim to make it four wins on the bounce when they line up against out-of-sorts Willington this afternoon.

But despite boasting a 100% record and having conceded just a couple of goals, the Wearsiders are not resting on their laurels. David Charlton, Dale Wells and Scott Burn are set to make their debuts at some stage. Willington crashed to a seven-goal defeat in midweek and last year's wooden spoonists will have to show significant improvement.

Jarrow were in scoring mode in their last game and will be confident against Guisborough at Perth Green although they definitely miss Andrew Brabbs and Mark Rumbles.

Ryhope CW have made a good start but at Boldon CA could again be minus goalkeeper Michael Burlinson. Joe Thompson again stands by.

It's all change for Boldon and not for the better. Karl Carson, Stephen Green and Mark Williams are banned while Mark Johnson, Micky Irving, Tony Renwick and Andrew Hunter are also ruled out.

Houghton Town, hammered 8-1 in their last outing, are stronger at Hartlepool with the return of goalkeeper Shaun Robinson, Steve Anderson and Simon Williamson. Hartlepool need to make changes. Simon Hanlon and Shaun Ross are banned with Andy Ross and Johnny Bolton away.

Brian Ross is expected to recover fitness, Craig Lobb has completed his cricket commitments while the experienced Mark Taylor and young Anthony Lutz have been signed as cover.

Silksworth manager Steven Smith misses 11 of his 26-man squad for the visit to Easington Colliery, who cannot name captain Michael Watson, who is suspended.

Annfield Plain have Barry Lindoe back at home to Scarborough Town, who have won all four games during their first season in the league.

The Seasiders name the same 14-man squad which secured another three points with a seven-goal blitz at Willington in midweek.

MALCOLM PRATT 

MATCHBOX

SUNDERLAND V BLACKBURN ROVERS Team News: Lee Cattermole and Steed Malbranque are considered "big doubts" while Lorik Cana is expected to play in discomfort. Grant Leadbitter and Jordan Henderson stand by. M[sz]rton Fl|p's heel injury is expected to clear up in time. Injury update: Lorik Cana (hand, doubtful), Steed Malbranque (ankle, doubtful), Marton Fulop (doubtful, heel), Lee Cattermole (back injury, doubtful), Paul McShane (knee injury, 2 weeks).

Likely line-up (4-4-2) 32 M[sz]rton FLUP 2 Phil BARDSLEY 5 Anton FERDINAND 15 Danny COLLINS 3 George McCARTNEY 16 Jordan HENDERSON 18 Grant LEADBITTER 19 Lorik CANA 10 Kieran RICHARDSON 11 Darren BENT 17 Kenwyne JONES Substitutes: 1 Craig GORDON 20 Andy REID 4 Teemu TAINIO 9 Fraizer CAMPBELL 7 Carlos EDWARDS 6 Nyron NOSWORTHY 23 David HEALY Team News: Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce had the luxury of a midweek off, meaning Ryan Nelson should be fit while Vince Grella and new signing Nikola Kalinic are both in contention. Michel Salgado, signed in midweek, is still awaiting international clearance. Injury update: David Dunn (hamstring - 1 week), Brett Emerton (knee - 1 week), Steven Reid (knee - 2 weeks).

Likely line-up (4-4-2) 1 Paul ROBINSON 2 Lars JACOBSEN 4 Christopher SAMBA 6 Ryan NELSON 5 Gael GIVET 18 El-Hadji DIOUF 15 Steven NZONZI 3 Stephen WARNOCK 12 Morten Gamst PEDERSEN 9 Jason ROBERTS 10 Benni McCARTHY Substitutes: 32 Jason BROWN 17 Keith ANDREWS 13 Zurab KHIZANISHVILLI 11 Vince GRELLA 26 Franco DI SANTO 23 David HOILLET 19 Aaron DORAN Last season: Sunderland 0, Blackburn 0. December 26, 2008.

Last five League games: Sunderland L W L L D; Blackburn L D L W L Match odds: H evens; A 11/4; D 12/5. Top scorers (league only): Sunderland: Darren Bent (2) Blackburn: N/A. Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire) Head to Head (the League record): Sunderland wins: 57 Draws: 24 Sunderland wins: 41 Kick-off: Today, 3pm. TV: Match of the Day, 10.20pm, BBC1

CAPTION(S):

PACESETTERS Sunderland's Darren Bent, above, ran the equivalent of 13 kilometres during the defeat by Chelsea. Midfielders like Steven Gerrard, above left, and Frank Lampard, top right, rarely go above 13, while last season Djibril Ciss, right, often struggled. Top left, Anton Ferdinand also provides both inspiration and perspiration.