Sunderland youngster wins award for FA Cup heroics

Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has been awarded the Mitre Sports Save of the Round award for his heroics against Fulham.

The 22-year-old was in fine form throughout, arguably putting in his best ever performance for his boyhood club.

He was especially superb in injury time, though, when he produced a brilliant double-save to deny Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian.

Rightly, that has won the youngster some national acclaim.

Introducing your @MitreSports Save of the #EmiratesFACup fourth round...@anthony_patter1 of @SunderlandAFC with a superb last-minute double save! 🧤 #ad pic.twitter.com/5OIOf8jczC
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 1, 2023

Tony Mowbray singled him out for praise for his performance in the cup tie, saying: “The goalkeeper... listen, he's a top goalkeeper.

“I've been in football more than 40 years and this kid is a very talented boy who has an amazing temperament.

“Nothing fazes him, he's very calm about everything, he's not bouncing all over the place and losing the plot.

“He's a very calm goalie who makes great saves.”

Patterson, though, was not interested in taking acclaim then, so he probably isn't bothered about the award either in truth!

"Obviously that's my job," he said when asked about the save. "I have to stay switched on for the full 90 minutes and never know when I'm going to get called upon. It's important that I do that and help the team out.

"[Double saves] are something that I work on everyday pretty much and I'm always trying to help out the team as much as I can and thankfully I was able to on Saturday."

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