Sunderland AFC 1-3 Swansea City
Sunderland’s five-match unbeaten run came to an end after losing 3-1 to Swansea City with an early red card to Luke O’Nien proving costly.
The Lads started the match at a good pace with Patrick Roberts earning himself a free-kick in a dangerous position after a mazy run saw him brought down. Roberts took the responsibility, but his effort whizzed just over the bar.
Swansea hit back just before the 10-minute mark as Matt Grimes saw his bending shot whistle the outside of the post.
The game’s complexion completely changed when O’Nien received a straight red card for a late challenge on Ollie Cooper.
As Sunderland shuffled the pack bringing on Danny Batth, Swansea tested the palms of Anthony Patterson as he turned away Harry Darling’s stinging effort from distance.
Despite being a man down, Sunderland showed they were not out of the game as Jack Clarke’s cutback found Ross Stewart, but his deflected shot rolled just wide of the post.
Five minutes into the second half, Swansea took the lead when Joel Piroe was on hand to prod home a precise ball across goal.
But the Lads rallied back and levelled the tie. Jack Clarke’s jinking run and cross was headed back across goal by Stewart. Dan Neil came charging into the box to fire home a first-time volley into the top of the net.
The officials were at the heart of the action once again when Stewart was denied a free-kick for a shove on the half-way line. Swansea’s resulting attack saw them retake the lead as ahooked clearance from a low cross ricocheted off the shins of Liam Cullen and into the net.
The game was out of reach for the 10 men of Sunderland when Swansea broke in numbers and Ollie Cooper lashed the ball into the top of the net from a tight angle.
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Gooch, Evans, Neil, Roberts, Amad, Clarke, Stewart
Subs: Bass, Wright, Batth, Ba, Dajaku, Bennette, Michut