16 Feb 2014

Gardner wonder goal puts Sunderland in FA Cup last eight

11:45 am on 16 February 2014

A stunning strike from Craig Gardner helped knockout specialists Sunderland beat Southampton 1-0 to move into the quarter-finals of English football's FA Cup.

Sunderland, who have already reached the League Cup final, again put their Premier League struggles to one side in front of a sparsely populated Stadium of Light as Gardner thundered a second-half shot into the top corner from 25 metres.

After a first half lacking quality and with few opportunities, Sunderland came out with a bang after the break.

Gardner won the ball off Wanyama outside the area, set his sights on goal and let fly with an unstoppable shot after 49 minutes.