Rotherham United 1-1 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC ended 2023 with a draw against Rotherham United at the New York Stadium on Friday evening.
After an injury to Patrick Roberts knocked the Lads out of their early stride, a trio of excellent saves by Anthony Patterson saw the goalkeeper deny Sam Nombe on three occasions in quick succession.
Michael Beale’s side regained control towards the end of the first half, but they fell behind at the start of the second when Sam Clucas’ volley found the top corner.
Jack Clarke’s deflected effort hauled Sunderland level with 73 minutes on the clock, earning the Lads a point in South Yorkshire.
Beale made one change following victory at Hull City on Boxing Day, as Adil Aouchiche replaced the injured Bradley Dack.
Aji Alese, who last featured against Luton Town in the 2022-23 Championship Play-Offs, also returned the matchday squad.
Sunderland started on the front foot and probed the Millers defence, but they were dealt a blow with 12 minutes played when Roberts was forced off.
Abdoullah Ba replaced the winger and the Lads continued to search for the opener, with Dan Neil slamming a 25-yard effort wide.
Rotherham almost caught the Black Cats out on the counter, but Patterson thwarted Nombe one-on-one before keeping out the forward for a second time from the resulting corner.
Buoyed by a spell in opposition territory, the Millers couldn’t believe they weren’t ahead when Jamie Lindsay’s effort was cleared off the line moments after Patterson completed a hat-trick of incredible saves to acrobatically deny Nombe once more.
Sunderland regained control before the interval and they made a change before the restart, as Burstow replaced Aouchiche.
But it was the Millers who went ahead within three minutes of the second period commencing, as Clucas sent an unstoppable 20-yard volley into the top corner.
Sean Morrison headed over the top shortly after and Trai Hume was denied by Viktor Johansson, with Timothée Pembélé and Alex Pritchard called on after Luke O’Nien’s effort whistled wide.
Clarke levelled with 17 minutes remaining, with the winger’s 12th of the season deflecting beyond Johansson and into the top corner.
O’Nien saw an effort blocked and Dan Ballard hammered wide late on, but the Lads’ final outing of 2023 ended all square.
Rotherham United: Johansson, Lembikisa (Appiah 78), Bramall, Clucas (Cafu 67), Hugill (Eaves 78), Lindsay, Odoffin, Morrison, Tiehi, Revan, Nombe (Kelly 78).
Subs not used: Phillips, McGuckin.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Seelt (Pembele 64), Ballard, O’Nien, Hume, Ekwah (Pritchard 64), Neil, Roberts (Ba 15), Aouchiche (Burstow 45), Clarke, Jobe.
Subs not used: Bishop, Triantis, Alese, Bennette, Rusyn