Gyan´s deadly double sinks Stoke

Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan marked his first Premier League start with a superb double-strike to clinch a 2-0 win over 10-man Stoke on Saturday.

Gyan struck after nine minutes and, after Steed Malbranque had missed a first-half penalty, the Ghana star netted again four minutes from time to help ease the pain of last weekend’s 5-1 humiliation by Newcastle.

Stoke were left fuming after being denied what they felt was a certain penalty for handball when Lee Cattermole knocked Kenwyne Jones’ header off the line. They also had Ryan Shawcross sent off for two bookable offences late on.

With Sunderland forward Darren Bent sidelined with a virus, Gyan was able to start for the first time since his 13 million pounds move from Rennes in the close season.

It took the Ghanaian just nine minutes to make his mark when he was presented with a tap-in after keeper Asmir Begovic had parried Nedum Onuoha’s initial effort.

Steve Bruce’s side should have been further in front before half-time when Malbranque’s intelligent pass put Gyan in on goal.

Jon Walters gave away the penalty as he hauled Gyan down, but Malbranque’s spot-kick was saved by Begovic.

Stoke threatened early in the second half when Robert Huth’s long throw was headed on by Walters at the near post and Matthew Etherington smashed a left-foot shot towards goal, where it was blocked bravely by Michael Turner.

Sunderland escaped with 19 minutes remaining when Jones’ header from an Etherington corner looked to be creeping inside the far post until Cattermole bundled it away with his hand.

Cattermole also hacked another Jones header off the line from the resulting corner to increase Stoke’s frustration.

Shawcross, who had earlier been booked for a rash lunge on Danny Welbeck, was dismissed after being cautioned again for a trip on Gyan eight minutes from time.

Gyan wrapped up the victory when he fired into the bottom corner from substitute Kieran Richardson’s left-wing cross in the 86th minute.