Sunderland 3-1 Stoke City – Match Report

Sunderland players respond brilliantly to the recent negativity around the club, as they beat Stoke City to move to 7th in the league.

The first half was relatively tight, with Stoke City having, arguably the better chances.

Anthony Patterson was forced into making a good save early on, and Luke O’Nien blocked an effort off the line from Bae Jun-ho.

2 minutes before the break, Mason Burstow finally scored his first goal for Sunderland, to give The Black Cats the lead.

Clarke’s effort was well saved by the Stoke ‘keeper, but Abdullah Ba rose well and headed the ball back towards Burstow, who forced the ball over the line.

The Black Cats started the second half perfectly, after a brilliant run by Jack Clarke, and he picked up a perfect pass to Ba, who’s first time shot found the back of the net.

From then on, Sunderland looked quite comfortable, and with 20 minutes remaining, Pierre Ekwah smashed the ball into the net from the edge of the box, after being picked out by Abdullah Ba, who had an excellent game.

Stoke did get a consolation goal late on, as former Sunderland favourite, Lynden Gooch put in a teasing cross, and Jenson Seelt deflected the ball into the back of the net.

Sunderland sit 7th in the league, only outside the top 6 on goal difference, but most teams around them now have a game in hand.

Stoke City stay in 19th, 8 points from the drop zone having played an extra game than most teams around them due to the FA Cup.

Next up for Sunderland is the Tees-Wear “Derby” as Sunderland look for revenge after their 0-4 loss at the Stadium of Light last season.

MoTM – Abdullah Ba