Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland returned to winning ways at Nottingham Forest as Aiden McGeady’s bullet header separated the sides at the City Ground.
Former Black Cat Daryl Murphy sprurned the home side’s best chances inside the opening half-hour, and the Black Cats made them pay as McGeady headed home before the interval.
Mark Warburton’s side responded following the restart and saw a lot of the ball, but, in truth, they rarely troubled Robbin Ruiter and Sunderland rode it out to claim three points.
STAGE IS SET
After a frustrating Boxing Day, Chris Coleman freshened things up with the Welshman making three changes to his starting XI at the City Ground. The big news saw Josh Maja make his first senior start as James Vaughan dropped to the bench, as Donald Love and Callum McManaman replaced Bryan Oviedo and Lynden Gooch. Ty Browning was also fit to start despite a foot injury as former Black Cat Liam Bridcutt missed out, but Forest did recall David Vaughan and Daryl Murphy.
BLACK CATS SIGNAL THEIR INTENT
Sunderland were revitalised from the off and looked like a different side to the one that lost at Sheffield United, as the Black Cats made a lively start at the City Ground. McGeady endured a frustrating afternoon at Bramall Lane but he led the charge on Trentside, with right-back Eric Lichaj left trailing in his wake on two occasions in the opening five minutes. Maja also showed his intent early on, holding up the ball well and winning a free-kick which was take McGeady and narrowly missed by the 19-year-old.
FOREST IN THE ASCENDANCY
Murphy struck the only goal when the sides met earlier in the season and with 14 minutes played he threatened for the first time. After outmuscling John O’Shea and Marc Wilson, the striker bore down on goal and seemed certain to score, but Ruiter was quick off his line and dashed out to make the save and ensure it remained level. Four minutes later, Murphy went close again as he dropped into the hole and took once touch before curling a 25-yard effort inches wide. And the Republic of Ireland international wasn’t done there, as Ruiter forced him wide and he clipped the ball over the top.
OUT OF THE TOP DRAWER
As the opening period wore on, Sunderland found themselves under increasing pressure as their front three became increasing isolated. Coleman’s wingers attempted to drop deep to see more of the ball, but in doing so found themselves smothered by the Forest midfield. However, McGeady once again got the better of Lichaj and delivered a testing ball into the six-yard box soon after, but Forest continued to defend manfully as the Lads once again started to flex their attacking muscles. And flex them they did. With 40 minutes played, the Republic of Ireland international dispatched the opener, with a sumptuous header leaving the ‘keeper with no chance following superb play – and a stunning cross – from Matthews.
JOB DONE
The second period was a combative affair but Sunderland were strong and they were resilient as the home side struggled to break them down. Tempers flared and threatened to boil over as Honeyman and Love bore the brunt of Forest’s frustration, with Vaughan and substitute Armand Traore both crunching into challenges. But the Black Cats quickly dusted themselves down and continued to go about their task, as Coleman’s men provided the perfect response to claim three points on Trentside.
Nottingham Forest: Smith, Lichaj, Mancienne, Murphy (Cummings, 69), McKay (Carayol, 61), Osborn, Brereton, Dowell, Vaughan, Bouchalakis (Traore, 45), Worrall.
Subs not used: Henderson, Cash, Clough, Walker.
Sunderland: Ruiter, Browning, O’Shea, Wilson, Love, Matthews, Gibson, Honeyman, McManaman (Gooch, 70), McGeady (Oviedo, 83), Maja (Vaughan, 65)
Substitutes: Steele, Asoro, Jones, Embleton.