Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland- Match Report & Player Ratings

Report

The Black Cats were held to a draw at Bloomfield Road on New Year’s Day, as they had to come from behind in the second half.

Sunderland really struggled to get going and Blackpool grew with confidence as the first half wore on.

Midway through the first half, Shayne Lavery was played through by CJ Hamilton and he was 1 on 1 with Anthony Patterson and finished smartly to give the Tangerine’s a well deserved lead.

Sunderland only had one good chance in the first half and it came right before the break as Trai Hume played a nice ball into Amad who’s strike deflected onto the bar.

The Black Cats were certainly better in the second half, but some of their passing was still below par.

However, they started to put the pressure on and their quality showed, moments before the equaliser, Clarke went on a brilliant run and played in Stewart who hit the bar, but it was given as offside in the end.

About a minute later, the ball hung in the air and Trai Hume headed the ball towards Stewart and he flicked it brilliantly beyond the ‘keeper to make it 9 goals in 11 games for the striker.

Sunderland looked the most likely to secure all 3 points, but they just lacked composure in the final third.

With 10 minutes remaining, Sunderland could have went in front, Amad fizzed the ball across goal but Stewart couldn’t adjust his body quick enough and it bounced off him and went wide.

Blackpool were reduced to 10 men as Callum Connolly recieved a second yellow card after bringing down Jack Clarke who.was looking to break right at the death.

Sunderland remain 6th as it stands, but that will likely change depending on the results in tomorrow’s games.

Player Ratings

Anthony Patterson – 6

Nothing he could do about the goal, some of his distribution wasn’t good enough at times.

Trai Hume – 6

Caught out of position a lot today, but he was great going forward, gkt one assist and could’ve had another when Amad hit the bar.

Luke O’Nien – 5

Not too bad defensively but his passing in the first half was atrocious. An off day for one of our most consistent ayers this season.

Bailey Wright – 6

A better second half performance, just like many of our players. He didn’t give Madine a chance in the second 45.

Dan Ballard – 6

A decent defensive performance, looked the most assured in defence.

Jack Clarke – 6

A frustrating performance. He was good on the ball but his crossing was nowhere near good enough.

Dan Neil – 6

Worked hard throughout but his passing was abit off at times, improved in the second half.

Edouard Michut – 6

Not as impressive as Thursday night bit it wasn’t a bad game, was quiet at the start of the second half before being replaced by Ba.

Patrick Roberts – 6

Some brilliant link up ay with Diallo on the right hand side at times, he just lacked a final product.

Amad Diallo – 7

He looked our most dangerous player throughout. Not his best performance but he was always trying to make stuff happen.

Ross Stewart – 7

Unlucky to hot the bar, but it was offside anyway, took his goal brilliantly. He was very isolated and frustrated in the first half.

SUBS

Abdoullah Ba – 7

We looked a better team when he came on, always looked to get us on the front foot.

MoTM – Amad Diallo.

Having heard that Mowbray has said that a lot of these players have benn ill, I would say it was a great effort by the team overall.