Oscar Chamberlain runs the rule over Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat to Barnsley at Oakwell.
A bright start soon turned to dust in Yorkshire as two goals in quick succession stunned Simon Grayson’s side and set the tone, with George Moncur adding a third in the second period.
FLYING DUTCHMAN
Ahead of Sunderland’s trip to Carlisle United, the manager said that anybody who impressed during the Carabao Cup clash would be handed a chance to feature at Oakwell – and he was true to his word. After producing an outstanding display against the Cumbrians, Robbin Ruiter made his first start of the season as Jason Steele dropped to the bench. Bryan Oviedo also made his Sky Bet Championship bow after returning to action in the midweek win, as Brendan Galloway missed a second game due to injury. Barnsley, meanwhile, were unable to hand a start to new signing Dimitri Cavare due to a hamstring strain, with Zeki Fryers missing out due to a similar problem. Lloyd Isgrove and Andy Yiadom were also absent.
BARNSLEY BOMBARDED
The first chance of the game fell to Sunderland after just three minutes. James Vaughan’s knockdown sent George Honeyman racing down the right. Only Adam Jackson stood between the youngster and Lewis Grabban, but he was unable to find the Black Cats’ top scorer and the Barnsley defender bundled the ball into the grateful hands of Adam Davies. Honeyman saw an effort of his own blocked five minutes later after Grabban was sent clear following a sumptuous long ball from Lee Cattermole. The siege was far from over, though, and within 60 seconds the Tykes were on the ropes again as Aiden McGeady failed to connect from 10 yards. Barnsley’s first attempt came as the opening stages came to a close, with Brad Potts sending a wild effort off target after Lamine Kone failed to clear.
TYKES FIGHT BACK
Barnsley edged their way back into the contest as the opening period wore on and they forced Ruiter into action on 22 minutes, as Moncur’s venomous strike was diverted behind by the Dutchman. Adam Hammill was a lively presence down the right and provided the returning Oviedo with a stern test, but on the half-hour mark the former Liverpool winger should have registered an assist as Potts’ header – in acres of space and just six yards out – failed to test Ruiter. Two minutes later Hammill was on the ball again but this time he opted to take it upon himself, with a steaming run dragging the Tykes into the final third where Ugbo connected with a fizzing cross from six-yards. And within four minutes it was 2-0, as Barnes’ thumping effort rattled into the net within the blink of an eye.
FRUSTRATION CONTINUES
Sunderland rallied before the break and Barnsley were let off the hook when Vaughan raced through on goal and Liam Lindsay sent the former Bury man crashing to ground. The red and white army felt it was inside the box but referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a free-kick, and to add insult to injury the Tykes defender was given a yellow card rather than his marching orders. Both decisions could have fallen in the Black Cats’ favour, but instead Barnsley entered the interval with a two-goal advantage. Vaughan and Grabban both tumbled in the box in the opening stages of the second period, but again there was nothing doing and with 55 minutes played Grayson made a change as the former was replaced by midweek hero Lynden Gooch.
MONCUR MAKES IT THREE
A second change followed nine minutes later as Wahbi Khazri took Honeyman’s place, but Barnsley remained dangerous on the counter and on 67 minutes they made it 3-0 as Moncur’s stunning finish topped off a sweeping move. Grabban stung the palms of Davies and Jason McCarthy fired wide as the sides traded blows in the closing stages, but the game was over and the final whistle was welcomed by both sets of fans as a frustrating afternoon for the Black Cats came to a close.
Barnsley: Davies, McCarthy, Pearson, Lindsay, Jackson, Williams, Moncur, Potts, Hammill (Thiam 89), Ugbo (Bradshaw 71), Barnes (Hedges 65).
Subs not used: Townsend, Pinnock, Mowatt, Bord.
Sunderland: Ruiter, Jones, Oviedo (Matthews 80), Browning, Kone, Cattermole, Ndong, Honeyman (Khazri 64), McGeady, Grabban, Vaughan (Gooch 54).
Subs not used: Steele, O’Shea, Gibson, Asoro.