Sunderland 1-1 Derby County

Sunderland 1-1 Derby County

Sunderland started their 2017-18 Sky Bet Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw against Derby County at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats controlled the opening stages of the game but were caught cold on 11 minutes as Bradley Johnson fired the Rams in front, but they dusted themselves down and responded well.

Lewis Grabban marked his competitive debut with a goal before the break with a well-taken penalty, and he almost topped off an impressive outing with a winner in the second period as the woodwork came to Derby’s rescue to ensure it ended level.

And you can review all the action below, as Oscar Chamberlain takes you through the moments that mattered.

THE WRAP

Simon Grayson will have been pleased by what he saw on the opening day of the season, with a Stadium of Light stalemate delivering plenty of food for thought. The Black Cats were tireless and the home support roared on their efforts, with James Vaughan and Grabban leading from the front as they hassled and harried the visitors from start to finish. Jason Steele enjoyed a solid competitive debut between the sticks and was scarcely troubled following Johnson’s opener, with Ty Browning marshalling the back four and displaying a maturity beyond his years. Lee Cattermole was, as always, reliable and he bossed the game alongside Didier Ndong, but Grabban, who went within a whisker of a winner in the second period, will deservedly take the headlines.

SUCKER PUNCH

Grayson made one change from last weekend’s final pre-season friendly as George Honeyman replaced Wahbi Khazri. Six summer signings started in red and white as Vaughan and Grabban led the line in a 4-4-2, but there was a familiar face at the base of midfield as Lee Cattermole captained the side. The Black Cats dominated the opening exchanges and they were unfortunate not to take the lead, as McGeady and Honeyman caused problems before Grabban lashed an effort narrowly over the top. Instead, they fell behind as Derby delivered a sucker punch with their opening attack. Johnny Russell was the architect and he beat Brendan Galloway all ends up, diving down the right before flashing the ball across goal where Johnson rifled it through the crowd and into the net.

THE RESPONSE

Derby grew in confidence following their opener and they could have doubled their lead on 20 minutes, as Jason Steele parried Tom Huddlestone’s thunderous drive before snatching the follow-up at Andreas Weimann’s feet. Four minutes later Sunderland should have levelled but heroics from former England goalkeeper Scott Carson kept the Rams’ advantage in tact, with the stopper producing a magnificent one-handed save to turn Cattermole’s thumping effort over the crossbar. Grabban fizzed an effort over the crossbar soon after but the striker didn’t have to wait too much longer for his first strike in red and white, as tenacious play from Billy Jones caused Jacob Butterfield to lose his balance before handling in the box. Grabban immediately picked up the ball and put it on the spot as the Stadium of Light held its collective breath – and seconds later they were roaring as the striker slammed the penalty beyond Carson to make it 1-1 at the interval.

WOODWORK STILL SHAKING

Ahead of the game, the Sunderland boss demanded his side play with pride, desire and determination, and he will have been pleased by what he saw in the opening 45 minutes. The Black Cats were good value for their equaliser and, in truth, they deserved more by edging the Rams in every department from shots and corners to possession. And they never looked back, with Derby’s man dangerman, Russell, thwarted by Galloway who grew in confidence as the game progressed. Grabban remained the real threat, though, and with 58 minutes played he was cruelly denied a second, as his thumping effort smacked the crossbar and bounced to safety. Patience was key for the Lads as the game entered the final 30 minutes because, as it stood, it was only a matter of time before they tested Carson again…

STEELE ON THE SPOT

A double change saw David Nugent and Matej Vydra enter the fray in the final stages, and it was a move which bore fruit for Gary Rowett’s side. The duo added energy and intent in the final third to drive Sunderland back, but the Black Cats remained solid and ensured any efforts on goal were charged down. But, in added time, Steele was forced into action and he acted with confidence and control, diving at the feet of Nugent to deny the substitute as he looked to pull the trigger from eight yards. That proved to that, with Lads and the Rams forced to settle for a point each on opening day.

Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Kone, Browning, Galloway, Cattermole, Ndong, Honeyman, McGeady, Grabban, Vaughan.
Subs not used: Ruiter, O’Shea, Matthews, Gibson, Gooch, Khazri, Asoro.

Derby County: Carson, Forsyth, Keogh, Russell (Bryson 90), Martin (Nugent 77), Wisdom, Johnson, Butterfield, Weimann (Vydra 65), Davies, Huddlestone.
Subs not used: Baird, Pearce, Bennett, Mitchell.

Referee: Oliver Langford Attendance: 29, 578

Report: Sunderland 1-1 Derby County