Bristol 2-3 Sunderland – Match Report

Report

Sunderland got their first victory in the championship this season as The Black Cats’ came out on top in a 5-goal thriller at Ashton Gate.

Debutant Ellis Simms opened the scoring just 3 minutes into the game, after Ross Stewart won the ball back on the edge of the box, and Simms pounced on it and beat the kepper from 20-yards out.

The Robins’ soon equalised though, just 6 minutes later Andreas Weimann found himself with acres of space, right in front of the goal due to Lynden Gooch stopping and claiming offside.

Weimann took advantage and smartly finished beyond Patterson.

Bristol City started the second half well, and it only took 6 minutes for them to take the lead.

Andreas Weimann managed to get to the bi-line and pull the ball back, veteran striker Chris Martin was their to squeeze the ball home.

However, less than 2 minutes later Alex Pritchard played a magnificent ball in behind to Ellis Simms, who got past his man and finished through the ‘keeper’s legs to make the score 2-2.

The Black Cats’ really put the pressure on after this and began to dominate play.

74 minutes in Pritchard once again put in a fantastic cross and Sunderland talisman Ross Stewart got above his man and planted the ball past the ‘keeper with his head to make it 2-3.

Sunderland were reasonably comfortable going into the final minutes, despite one chance as Joe Williams pulled the ball back to Chris Martin who completely missed the target from 6-yards out.

Sunderland now move up to 2nd after two games, sitting on 4 points.

Player Ratings

Anthony Patterson – 6

Didn’t have much to do apart from the 2 goals, but he didn’t have much chance proventing either.

Lynden Gooch – 6

Defended well for the majority, and always providing support going forward.

Daniel Ballard – 6

Defended brilliany as Sunderland were defending the lead towards the end. The back four were beaten too easily at times, as Bristol sometimes found it easy to get in behind.

Danny Batth – 6

Same as Ballard.

Cirkin – 6

Similar to Gooch, defended well and offered support going forward.

Corry Evans – 7

A very calm display from the captain, despite getting booked in the first 15 seconds.

Dan Neil – 6

A quiet game for Neil but when he was involved, he was making things happen.

Alex Pritchard – 8

Quiet first half, brilliant second half with 2 fantastic assists.

Jack Clarke – 8

Always looked dangerous, and worked extremely hard defensively throughout to help Cirkin.

Ross Stewart – 7

Constantly put pressure on the Bristol back line and took his goal expertly.

Ellis Simms – 9

Fantastic! Closed down well, took both of his goals brilliantly. Amazing debut for the loanee.

Elliot Embleton – 6

Came on late and did well to help keep Sunderland in the lead.

Aji Alese – 6

Also came on late for Jack Clarke, and won some important headers.

Leon Dajaku – N/A

Came on right at the end.

Man of The Match – Ellis Simms