Town continued the revival in dramatic style as Sunderland were thrashed 5-0 at Portman Road this afternoon.

On New Year's Day 2001 Town lost 4-1 at the Stadium of Light and this last game of the year destruction more than makes up for that defeat. The result was Town's first 5-0 win since the Worthington Cup victory over Millwall last season and is Town's biggest ever Premiership win. It is their first five-goal League victory since the 6-1 win against Barnsely in August 1999.

Town lined-up without Sixto Peralta and Titus Bramble who failed fitness tests. They were replaced by Jim Magilton and Thomas Gaardsøe, making only his second Premiership start. Matt Holland came through his test and as usual captained the side.

It was Sunderland who had the first opportunity of the game, Phillips hitting an effort which was saved with little trouble by Sereni in the first minute.

In the second minute Arca headed just wide after good work and an excellent cross from McAteer.

The fourth minute saw controversy as Finidi George was held back by a defender on the edge of the area. The Nigerian had stolen the ball and was running goalwards when he was stopped by Thome. Referee Graham Poll saw no foul. A number of Town players remonstrated with Poll after the ball finally went out of play, but to no avail.

In the sixth minute Finidi George, who was giving the Sunderland defence trouble already, sent a ball into the area which looped up to Alun Armstrong who headed wide. The ball was played back in and Marcus Bent had a shot blocked.

On 10 Jim Magilton hit a shot from the edge of the area which Sorensen saved. Marcus Bent had laid the ball into Magilton's pass after receiving the ball from the Northern Irishman.

Kevin Phillips had another opportunity on 14. He mis-hit his shot from a Gray cross after Armstrong had lost the ball. Phillips's shot dribbled to Sereni who picked up with little trouble.

Armstrong became the hero a few seconds later and Michael Gray was also involved. The Sunderland player was easily beaten by Finidi who get beyond him, cut in and sent in a low cross to the near post. Armstrong just made it and put the ball beyond Sorensen. Armstrong was mobbed by his team-mates while Finidi went off to the Britannia Stand for a private celebration.

Town looked to increase their lead and on 17 Jim Magilton hit a shot straight at Sorensen when he might have done better. A minute later Armstrong was almost through but was blocked at the last.

The first yellow card came out of Graham Poll's pocket in the 19th minute. Emerson Thome had pulled back Marcus Bent as the striker sought to get away from him on halfway.

Niall Quinn fluffed a fine opportunity in the 21st minute as he failed to connect properly on a Jason McAteer cross from the right.

The 25th minute saw Finidi George head the ball into the box on the right-hand side for Marcus Bent. He held the ball and tried to go inside and the ball was put out for a corner. Mark Venus took the kick and Thomas Gaardsøe rose higher than the rest and headed past Sorensen into the far corner of the net. It was Gaardsøe's first goal in the Premiership and all the sweet for him in that it was against his national side's keeper.

Within two minutes Town were three-up. Martijn Reuser rather luckily won a freekick which he himself took, about ten yards inside the Town half. He hit the kick long toward the right of the penalty area and Alun Armstrong beat the advancing Sorensen to the ball and headed over him into the net. Fans, players and management celebrated the goal and the fact that the game was practically won with just 27 minutes gone.

Sunderland, already looking worried at the prospect of Peter Reid's half-time reaction to all this, came closest to a goal back when Niall Quinn headed a corner over the bar.

Sadly for Reid's men a fourth goal was quick in coming, and what a goal it was too. Finidi played the ball to Marcus Bent on halfway. Bent played the ball forward into the Nigerian's path as he continued his run. Off his line came Sorensen as Finidi delicatedly chipped him from about 20 yards, the ball subtly landing in the net and sending Portman Road even wilder. Finidi was mobbed by his team-mates after one of the best goals Portman Road has seen in a long while.

Armstrong almost got his hat-trick on 35. He managed to get round Sorensen but had been driven wide and his finish was cleared from the line and out for a corner.

Phillips hit a shot well wide on 41 as that half-time teamtalk from Reid got ever nearer.

Two minutes later Armstrong should again have completed his hat-trick after taking the ball from Williams with Sorensen badly placed. His effort just went by the post.

Right on half-time Sereni saved a swerling effort from Phillips that moved all over the place. The Town keeper pushed it on to the post and Chris Makin cleared the ball for a corner.

The Town players were cheered off at half-time after one of the most impressive 45 minutes that many could remember. All talk on the terraces was of how many Town might get.

Peter Reid's half-time teamtalk was clearly as fearsome as his players might have feared and we're concerned for the state of the away dressing room. Off came Quinn, Gray and McAteer and on Kyle, MaCartney and Kilbane. Town made no changes.

The fifth almost came in the first minute of the second half. Reuser played a ball to Finidi which he hit into the box, almost landing at Armstrong's feet. Sorensen cleared and the ball just failed to fall for Jim Magilton.

Five minutes later Armstrong almost played in Magilton while for Sunderland Kilbane headed wide.

Two minutes later McCann hit a shot out for a throw as Sunderland pressed forward with little effect. The Town defence was looking solid with new man Gaardsøe and Mark Venus particularly impressive.

McCann had a shot blocked on 54 by the large frame of Thomas Gaardsøe, deputising for Bramble very ably.

Sunderland's Kyle got his fans on their feet on 58 when he headed into the sidenetting. From where the away fans were sitting it appeared to have gone in. Unfortunately for them they were still four-down.

The 64th minute saw Martijn Reuser running in goalwards, but the ball just failed to sit-up for him. He played the ball to Bent who had the same problem before sticking a shot just side of the post.

There were more problems for Sunderland in the 67th minute when Kevin Kilbane went down injured. With all the subs already used the Irishman had to continue, much to the amusement of Town supporters who quickly put the Mackems' plight to song.

On 68 Chris Makin was booked for a rather late tackle on George MacCartney on the touchline. Two minutes later Julio Arca hit a shot from distance well wide.

Sereni was back in action on 73 as he saved an effort from Kyle after a tricky run from Phillips. George Burley decided to make a few changes at this point and took off the tired Alun Amrstrong and Martijn Reuser. On came Richard Naylor and Jamie Clapham.

Three minutes later Matt Holland hit a shot wide from a neat bent lay-off after good work from Richard Naylor.

Marcus Bent found his way into referee Poll's notebook after tackling Arca who retaliated by pushing Bent to the ground. Surprisingly Arca's offence did not provoke a card.

With nine minutes left Naylor almost played in Marcus Bent after a great Finidi run, but the keeper was out quickly to gather.

Referee Poll was again in controversial action on 83 when Jim Magilton was tripped in the penalty area as he prepared to shoot. It looked an obvious penalty, but the appeals were waved away and Thome and Williams both made a beeline for Magilton seemingly accusing him of diving. Referee Poll stopped play and called Magilton over and after a chat waved him away.

With six minutes left on the clock Richard Naylor got down the left flank and put the ball across but behind the Town players running in.

Jamie Clapham got down the left flank too a minute or so later and crossed well, but Sorensen claimed with more conviction than he had shown previously on an afternoon which is probably one he will want to forget.

The fifth goal finally did come in the 87th minute. Clapham brought the ball forward, played it to Naylor on the right who put the ball back into the ex-Spurs man's path and he made no mistake, lashing the ball past Sorensen. 5-0!

Three minutes later the whistle went and Town had doubled their season's points total in a week, Christmas was was continuing to bring forth gifts and a non-relegation position was just one point away. Well done lads. Now for Charlton!

Photo: Action Images

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