Oscar Chamberlain reviews all the action from the Stadium of Light as Sunderland faced off against Sky Bet Championship pace-setters Cardiff City.
It was another hard-working performance from the men in red and white, but a costly start and late twist ensured their return to Wearside ended in frustration, as the Bluebirds claimed three points.
THE WRAP
Sunderland’s wait for a home a win will stretch into October after Cardiff City claimed a narrow victory at the Stadium of Light. The Bluebirds struck first as Neil Etheridge’s goal kick was flicked into the path of Craig Bryson who rifled the ball beyond Robbin Ruiter, but the Black Cats regrouped in the latter stages of the opening period and they levelled after the restart. Lynden Gooch was the scorer and it was a moment to savour for the 21-year-old, who won and dispatched a penalty on his first league start of the season. But once again there was to be a late twist in the tale, as a needless foul gifted Cardiff a penalty and Joe Ralls snatched three points for Neil Warnock’s side in the final 20 minutes.
NEW BOYS MISS OUT
The Lads were dealt a double blow ahead of the game as two new signings missed out. Callum McManaman, who impressed against Hull City last week, was unable to feature due to a knock, and fellow deadline-day arrival Jonny Williams was struck down with illness. Billy Jones, John O’Shea and Jack Rodwell were also absent from the squad, but Marc Wilson was fit to return to the starting XI – alongside Ty Browning and Lamine Kone – as Simon Grayson opted for three at the back. The other notable name on the teamsheet was USA international Gooch, who retained his place following the midweek defeat at Everton.
BLUEBIRDS ARE GO
Sunderland made a composed start to proceedings as James Vaughan and Adam Matthews tested the Cardiff defence, but it was a familiar story on Wearside as the Bluebirds took an early lead. It was simple. It was route one. But it was devastatingly effective. Etheridge’s long ball forward was won far too easily by the rising Kenneth Zohore, but it was Aron Gunnarsson’s masterful flick that unlocked the Black Cats backline and Bryson did the rest with a thumping first-time finish. Grayson’s side failed to regroup and Cardiff bombarded Ruiter’s penalty area in the stages that followed, but last-ditch defending from the Dutchman and Kone ensured it remained 1-0.
OVIEDO LEADS THE WAY
Bryan Oviedo was tested throughout by Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, but the Costa Rican stood out in the final third and he was by far and away the most potent tool in the Black Cats’ arsenal. After switching to 4-4-2 with Matthews at right-back and the former Toffee pushed further forward, Oviedo picked out Gooch but the forward was unable get hold of his effort and Etheridge made a comfortable stop. The tactical tweak gave the Bluebirds more to think about and less space to exploit, but Sunderland lacked a decisiveness in the final third and although their build-up play was encouraging, it lacked a killer instinct. At least it did until the 43rd minute, as Oviedo’s rasping effort cannoned off the inside of the box and bounced agonisingly across the face of goal. It was close and it was frustrating, but it was something to build on in the second-half.
GOOCH STANDS UP
A frantic opening to the second period cranked up the noise levels at the SoL as both sides mustered chances following the restart, but it was the Black Cats who struck a decisive blow. Seconds after Mendez-Laing and Zohore threatened, Gooch took command and after being denied by Etheridge just moments before, he tumbled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Lee Cattermole picked up the ball and marched over to the USA international as the Cardiff players disputed the decision, with the captain encouraging Gooch who duly obliged by dispatching an excellent spot kick into the corner. Cardiff’s response will have pleased Warnock as Ruiter was thrust back into the action, but the Dutchman came out on top with a selection of saves keeping the Bluebirds at bay.
HARD WORK UNDONE
Both sides traded blows in the latter stages of the game but it was Cardiff who continued to carve out the better opportunities. Cattermole was forced into a vital clearance on the line and Ruiter was once again at his best to deny Bruno Ecuele Manga, but with less than 20 minutes remaining, Sunderland’s hard work was undone. Ruiter came and claimed a cross but in amongst the mix Kone committed a needless foul on Sean Morrison to give the Bluebirds a chance from the spot. And they took it, with Ralls following in the footsteps of Gooch by sending the keeper the wrong way. Substitute Junior Hoilett could have ended the contest just a few minutes later, but the Canadian’s finish angled inches wide.
YOUNG GUNS HANDED A CHANCE
With his options severely depleted, Grayson put his faith in youth as Ethan Robson, who made his debut against Everton just a few days ago, entered the fray alongside fellow under-23 regular Joel Asoro. It was another substitute that crafted the next opening, though, as Aiden McGeady weaved in and out before exchanging passes with Gooch in the box, but he was unable to find a cross at the final moment. Warnock’s side continued to sit back and foul after foul gave the Black Cats numerous opportunities to put the ball in the box, but the visitors held firm to ensure they remained joint-top of the Sky Bet Championship following the close of play.
Sunderland: Ruiter, Wilson, Kone, Browning, Matthews, Oviedo (Robson 79), Cattermole, Ndong (Asoro 79), Honeyman (McGeady 60), Gooch, Vaughan.
Subs: Steele, O’Shea, Galloway, Gibson.
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Bryson, Gunnarsson (Bamba 90), Feeney (Hoilett 68), Manga, Zohore (Bogle 85), Richards, Mendez-Laing, Bennett, Ralls, Morrison.
Subs: Murphy, Halford, Damour, Tomlin.
Attendance: 25,733