Sunderland 2-1 Cardiff City – Match Report

Eliezer Mayenda scores again and Chris Mepham nets his first goal for the Black Cats as they move 16 points clear of Bristol City in 7th.

Sunderland took the lead in just the second minute, after Cardiff tried to play out from the back and Roberts cut out a pass and played in a wonderful ball into Mayenda, who finished brilliantly.

Sunderland carried on looking dangerous for around 20 minutes, with Romaine Mundle forcing a couple saves from the Cardiff ‘keeper, but Patrick Roberts was forced off in the 24th minute with an injury, and Sunderland then struggled to keep their momentum.

Unfortunately for Sunderland, Cardiff equalized just before half-time, after another mistake from Anthony Patterson.

The ball was lofted into the area, and Patterson came out to collect the ball, but missed it and the ball fell to Isaak Davies on the back post, who tapped the ball in.

Sunderland almost responded straight away, as Mayenda went around the ‘keeper, but hit the side netting from a tight angle.

In the second-half, Cardiff came close to taking the lead, as Yousef Salech’s volleyed effort from close range was saved onto the post by Patterson.

Sunderland were the ones that took the lead, and ultimately all 3 points, after Chris Mepham scored from a brilliantly worked set-piece.

Hume took the free-kick and played the ball to an unmarked Wilson Isidor, who fired in a wonderful ball across the box to Mepham, who couldn’t miss from 5-yards out.

Sunderland remain 4th, and remain 8 points behind Sheffield United in 2nd, after their victory today.

Cardiff also stay 21st in the table, but their gap from relegation has been cut down to 4 points.

MoTM – Eliezer Mayenda