Sunderland picked up a precious three points this afternoon thanks to goals from Max Power and Luke O’Nien in a 2-1 victory against MK Dons.
The Lads took the lead in the 24th minute thanks to another Power screamer and doubled it moments later through Luke O’Nien.
MK Dons did get a goal back against the run of play in the 55th minute through Jordan Bowery but the Lads held on.
The victory continues their strong home form since the start of last season and means that the team have lost just once in their first 10 league games this season.
Sunderland created the first opportunity of the game in the third minute as Joel Lynch’s long ball was met by a sliding Charlie Wyke, but his effort was well block by Lee Nicholls in the Dons goal.
The host’s continued their push for the opening and their next half chance fell again to Wyke as he met a Chris Maguire cross at the near post with his foot, but the Dons defence were able to bloke and clear the ball.
Jack Ross’ team did break the deadlock though on 24 minutes through another screamer from midfielder Power.
He built on his goal in midweek with another stupendous strike from the right corner of the penalty box that flew into the top corner.
That lead was nearly doubled one minute later though O’Nien as he connected to a Laurens De Bock cross to head onto the frame of the ball.
O’Nien came close against two minutes later as he headed a Maguire corner, but Nicholls did well in the Dons goal to push it clear.
Third time was the charm though for O’Nien as he doubled Sunderland’s lead in the 28th minute.
Conor McLaughlin played a great ball down the right channel for O’Nien to chase and he got past his man before delightfully chipping the keeper.
The ball looked to have crossed the line as it hit the post and the linesman duly waved his flag to signal a goal for the Black Cats.
Sunderland looked determined to add a third goal in the final 15 minutes of the half and came close on 30 minutes as Maguire saw a shot from distance well saved by the keeper.
Eight minutes later and Lynden Gooch intercepted a pass right in enemy territory, but he saw his effort from just inside the area go just wide of the right post.
The second half started with the Lads again on the front foot and they nearly added to their lead on 51 minutes.
Lynden Gooch trapped the ball wonderfully inside the area before seeing his effort cleared off the line, the ball came out to Power who tried his luck from just inside the area on the volley, but Nicholls managed to tip the effort wide of his left post.
MK Dons got themselves back into the game on 55 minutes as Jordan Bowery finished off a goal mouth scramble.
Maguire nearly restored Sunderland’s two goal advantage in the 65th minute as O’Nien teed him up superbly, but his effort from just inside the area went over the cross bar and off the stanchion behind the goal.
MK Dons applied some pressure late on but rarely threatened McLaughlin in the Sunderland goal and the Lads held onto the three points.
Sunderland: J.McLaughlin, C.McLaughlin, Lynch, Willis ©, Power, McGeouch, MaGuire, Wyke (Grigg 81) , Gooch (Dobson 90), O’Nien, De Bock (Hume 64)
Subs: Burge, Ozturk, Flanagan, Leadbitter
MK Dons: Nicholls, Williams, Lewington ©, Poole, Gilbey (Boateng 78), Bowery (Agard 60), Martin, McGrandles, Houghton (Kasumu 35), Brittain, Nombe
Subs: Dickenson, Moore-Taylor, Moore, Harley
Attendance: 29,994
