Stoke City 1-0 Sunderland – Match Report

Tom Cannon scores in injury-time to give Stoke City all 3 points, as Sunderland miss a boat load of chances.

The Black Cats concede late on once again, this time resulting in a defeat, damaging their attempts to keep the pressure on a top 2 finish.

They remain 4 points outside the top 2, but 2nd place Leeds take on Derby later, and 3rd place Burnley take on Middlesbrough tonight.

It was an extremely scrappy affair, with both teams struggling to keep holding of the ball.

That said, Sunderland wasted some really good chances, and even hit the post twice as Wilson Isidor pounced on a Lynden Gooch mistake and his shot was saved onto the post, and in the 2nd half, Stoke defender, Ashley Phillips got a slight touch on an Aouchiche ball in that also glanced off the post.

Adil Aouchiche and Trai Hume also had an effort that was brilliantly saved by Viktor Johansson in the first half.

Anthony Patterson was forced into a great save in the 2nd half, after an effort from Wouter Burger, but the ball almost fell to Tom Cannon for a simple tap in, but Chris Mepham hooked the ball away from the line in a fantastic intervention.

Eliezer Mayenda had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring late on, as Aouchiche picked him out brilliantly in the centre of the box, but his free header somehow went wide.

After all those chances missed, Stoke City pounced and stole all 3 points at the death.

Luke O’Nien lost the ball on the edge of the box, and Mepham was unable to bail him out of jail, as his challenge ricochetted to Tom Cannon, who finished brilliantly from the edge of the box.

The Potters earn their first victory under Ryan Shawcross, who is in interim charge after the sacking of Narcis Pelach earlier in the week.

Next up for Sunderland is a home match against the current league leaders, Sheffield United on New Year’s Day.