Sunderland 0, Bradford City 0; Richard Sutcliffe at the Stadium of Light.

When a rainbow pierced the gloom which had descended on the Stadium of Light as this keenly-fought goalless clash drew to a close, it seemed a fitting symbol of Bradford City's season.

Just a few weeks ago the pressure on Paul Jewell was building after a disappointing start yielded just four points from six games and plunged his side into the bottom three of the First Division.

The City boss continually stressed that it would take time for his team to gel following the £3.3 million summer spending spree which had transformed his squad.

Since losing 3-0 at Ipswich they have vindicated their manager's belief by turning in some hugely impressive displays and are now unbeaten in seven league and cup games.

A visit to free-scoring Sunderland is always a forbidding experience with Peter Reid's team unbeaten and sitting proud at the top of the league few gave City a prayer on Wearside.

However the Bantams proved the doubters wrong by producing probably their most disciplined performance of the season to ensure the promotion favourites failed to score at home for the first time in 11 months. City can be proud of their efforts in front of such an intimidating crowd and it was noticeable how Jewell shook hands with every one of his player as they left the field.

Sunderland had scored 18 goals in their five home league games before Saturday but a Daniel Dichio shot apart, Gary Walsh did not have a save to make with the City defence in such commanding form.

Darren Moore was the pick of the back four with a commanding display, but John Dreyer, Wayne Jacobs and Lee Todd all ran the big man close for the man of the match award.

The midfield also deserve tremendous credit for the way they controlled the pattern of the game for long spells with Sunderland only gaining any sort of hold in the first ten minutes.

In fact, the most impressive aspect of this control came in the final ten minutes when instead of the late bombardment of the City penalty area that everyone was expecting, it was the Bantams who looked much more assured on the ball.

Stuart McCall again led by example with a terrific tackling display while Gareth Whalley also illustrated his willingness to get stuck in. Either side of this pairing, Peter Beagrie and Robbie Blake worked tremendously hard in closing down the home side.

Crucially, the midfield also used the ball intelligently and City could easily have ended Sunderland's unbeaten record.

Blake twice went close to giving the Bantams the lead with fine efforts.

City's performance also illustrated just how far they have come since they lost 2-0 at the Stadium of Light last Christmas.

Walsh rescued the Bantams on that occasion from a real hiding with a string of fine saves, but despite Sunderland having much the same side City were never going to be outclassed this time around.

The 2,000 or so City fans inside the Stadium of Light, who had provided great backing throughout, gave their side a deserved standing ovation as they left the field.

The players and fans are clearly upbeat at the moment. The early season storm clouds have passed away.

And as the rainbow appeared above the Stadium of Light towards the end of this superb team effort, it was tempting to wonder just what rewards lie ahead for a fast improving City side who are now within touching distance of the leading pack.

Could it be a pot of gold?

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