Bottom-place Sunderland wins first match of EPL season

The striker’s battle for match fitness has taken time but he scored a splendid equaliser and won the penalty from which Defoe sealed victory, despite Steven Pienaar’s sending off.

Saturday was the first time since February 2015 that Anichebe was starting a Premier League game and he made that count.

“We didn’t deal with Victor Anichebe particularly well, especially for the goal, but we created some gilt-edged chances and it is frustrating they didn’t go in. I think it’s absolutely the right stance from the FA”.

“Lee Cattermole’s had a day and then dropped out again, but maybe with a bit of luck we might get him back training again next week and Jan Kirchhoff is maybe going to do a bit of training next week as well”. Left for dead when Adam Smith raced forward to cross for Dan Gosling’s Bournemouth goal but always looked unsafe and committed when pressing forward.

Anichebe’s goal in the 33rd minute temporarily levelled matters after the hosts had taken the lead in the 11th minute through Dan Gosling.

“We just split into four teams, mixed it up, and the losing team had to pay”.

Jermain Defoe, an old favourite of AFCB fans when in his younger days was on loan to us.

But Bournemouth missed a host of chances and, remarkably, in the 74th minute Anichebe was tripped in the Cherries’ area by Smith and Defoe did the rest from the spot.

I’m really happy for the supporters, they travel in their numbers and they’ve stuck with us, that result is for them.

Moyes acknowledged Anichebe wasn’t at the top of his summer wish-list but the decision to bring in his former Everton charge has been vindicated.

On the other hand, Slaven Bilic’s position is looking relatively secure after steadying the ship following a rocky start to the campaign, with the West Ham boss now priced at11/1 (12.00) thanks to a run of just one defeat in five league games.

Moyes dismissed the speculation and when asked for his reaction said: “I think they were all quashed weren’t they?”

“We’d have liked to have added another striker, but it wasn’t meant to be. It is only one win, we don’t move off the bottom of the league only look at team above us and try and catch them”. But with the experience and quality he has got, I told him and he saw me there and gave me the ball.