AS Tore Andre Flo turned away in triumph, his joy unconfined at marking another debut with yet another goal, only one person appeared more delighted at a packed Stadium of Light.

It wasn't Peter Reid, who shook off his usual pragmatic cloak as he leapt from the bench, fists pumping.

Nor was it any of the Sunderland fans in a full house - including the 10,000 or so stay-aways who missed their 1-0 defeat to Everton just seven days earlier.

No, as Flo celebrated his goal, the first player to embrace him was the man whose jubilation eclipsed that of the Norwegian's.

It was Kevin Phillips, and writ large across his face was a heady cocktail of ecstasy and relief.

Finally, one could sense Phillips was thinking, I have found my perfect partner.

For all his willing running, Kevin Kyle is not a first-choice Premiership striker - not yet, anyway.

Being deployed as a lone forward clearly negates much of Phillips's supreme talent, even though he takes on the role with no complaints.

But as well as breathing fresh life into Peter Reid's managerial career, the arrival of Flo and Marcus Stewart promises to reinvigorate Phillips.

Flo will improve on Saturday's display as he settles on Wearside. He admitted: "I didn't meet the lads until the morning before the game.

"It's been a hectic couple of days and a very stressful time, too. I'm glad it's over."

But just as Flo will get better, so will his understanding with Phillips. He's no Niall Quinn, but any 6ft 4in striker with even an ounce of talent in his gangly limbs will spread panic among opposition ranks.

And Quinn, who replaced Flo after 79 minutes of an encouraging debut, would acknowledge that the club's new record signing is a better finisher than he is.

Flo said: "I think the partnership with Kevin went well. Of course we can improve but this is the first day I've met him.

"We'll work on the training ground and we've got more than a week before our next game."

Certainly, their partnership did splutter into life at times on Saturday. Reid reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, but Flo was left isolated for much of the first half as Phillips helped his overworked midfield when Manchester United had possession.

After 35 minutes, Flo galloped down the wing before pulling back the ball to Phillips, who was well behind play and who lost out to Juan Sebastian Veron.

Just before half-time, Michael Gray's cross was begging to be headed goalwards by Flo. But he was 20 yards out, and Phillips was easily beaten in the air by Laurent Blanc.

But there were also pleasing signs for Sunderland. It was Flo who nicked the ball off Rio Ferdinand's foot to set up Phillips, whose shot fizzed just wide.

Earlier, Flo's lay-off was seized on by the irascible Jason McAteer for a drive that Roy Carroll had to tip over.

Reid later quipped that his big buy had paid off "a few quid" of his £6.75m transfer fee.

But for Phillips, Flo's mere presence is already worth every penny of his price tag.

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