Bristol City 2-3 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland secured their first victory of the new campaign in dramatic fashion at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon.
Ellis Simms marked his debut with a goal inside the opening four minutes, but the home side struck back immediately through Andreas Weimann.
After opening his account last weekend, Jack Clarke heroics in defence ensured it remained level at the interval after the winger made a goal-saving intervention.
Chris Martin’s deflected strike handed City the lead following the restart, but Simms’ second of the contest ensured parity was quickly restored.
The on-loan Everton striker was denied his hat-trick on the hour mark, but there was simply no stopping the Black Cats who were outstanding throughout.
With 18 minutes remaining, Ross Stewart’s unstoppable header found the top corner and ensured the Lads unbeaten start to the Championship season continued.
Alex Neil made one change for the Ashton Gate match-up, as Simms replaced Elliot Embleton in the starting XI.
A crunching challenge from Corry Evans set the tone and sparked a wall of noise from the 3,000-strong away end within 30 seconds of kick off, but the captain picked up a harsh yellow card for his efforts.
With four minutes on the clock, the packed-out visiting section exploded into celebration.
Sloppy play from Kal Naismith allowed Simms to seize possession and he opted to go solo, driving at the City backline before arrowing a low 20-yard strike beyond Dan Bentley.
Nigel Pearson’s side struck back immediately through Weimann and their ascendancy continued in the stages that followed, as Jay DaSilva dragged an effort wide.
Dennis Cirkin and Joe Williams were also cautioned in a thunderous opening 45, which also saw Clarke track back and clear Martin’s goalbound effort off the line.
After two quickfire goals in the opening period, it was raining goals once again following the restart.
Bristol City led for the first time with 50 minutes on the clock, as Martin’s effort deflected into the net off Danny Batth.
The Lads struck back immediately through Simms, who once again showed first-class composure to create the space and fire the ball through Bentley’s legs.
The on-loan Everton man should have completed his hat-trick after fine work from Clarke on the hour mark, but this time the City stopper denied the striker in close quarters.
Neil’s men continued to push and their outstanding second-half performance was rewarded on 72 minutes, as Stewart connected with Pritchard’s cross and found the net.
Two games played, four points banked.
Bristol City: Bentley, Vyner (Klose 65), Naismith, Atkinson, Sykes (Wilson 65), James, Williams, Dasilva, Scott, Weimann, Martin.
Subs not used: O’Leary, Wilson, King, Conway, Wells.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Ballard, Batth, Cirkin, Gooch, Evans, Neil, Pritchard, Clarke, Simms, Stewart.
Subs: Bass, Dajaku, Roberts, O'Nien, Embleton, Wright, Alese