Sunderland AFC 3-1 Stoke City
Sunderland AFC returned to winning ways on Saturday with a dominant win over Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats controlled proceedings throughout and Mason Burstow broke the deadlock before the break, with the on-loan Chelsea striker bundling home his first goal for the Club.
Abdoullah Ba added an important second within moments of the restart, as Jack Clarke turned provider and the Frenchman coolly slotted beyond Daniel Iversen.
The Lads made it three when Pierre Ekwah drilled an unstoppable low drive into the corner, with Ba notching his second assist to add to his goal.
A Jenson Seelt own goal provided a consolation for Stoke, as victory ensured Michael Beale’s side moved level with the top six.
Sunderland made two changes for the game, as Ba and Burstow came into the starting XI and Nazariy Rusyn dropped to the bench, with Alex Pritchard not included.
Clear-cut opportunities fell the Lads’ way during a dominant opening act, with Clarke firing the game’s first chance over the top before Pierre Ekwah struck wide.
After emerging through the opening 20 minutes unscathed, the Potters went close when Bae Jun-ho turned sharply inside the 18-yard box before failing to find the target.
Michael Schumacher’s then side spurned a trio of chances after the half-hour mark, as Anthony Patterson saved, Luke O’Nien made a goalline clearance and Luke Cundle fired over – all within the space of 20 seconds.
And the Potters were made to rue those missed opportunities before the break, with Burstow bundling home his first goal in red and white in front of the Roker End.
The Lads doubled their lead within four minutes of the restart, as Clarke tore down the left and teed up Ba, who made no mistake.
Mehdi Léris sent a low drive just wide in response and he remained in the thick of the action, but the midfielder’s pull back was scuffed wide by Ryan Mmaee.
Ekwah made it three on 70 minutes with a low drive that left Iversen rooted to the spot, with a Seelt own goal shortly after proving little consolation for the visitors.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Seelt, Ballard, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Ekwah, Ba, Bellingham, Clarke, Burstow (Rusyn 78).
Subs not used: Bishop, Pembele, Triantis, Crompton, Rigg, Watson, Hemir, Mayenda.
Stoke City: Iversen, Gooch, Thompson, Rose, Wilmot, Burger, Cundle (Vidigal 60), Junho, Leris, Haksabanovic (Lowe 60), Campbell (Mmaee 61).
Subs not used: Bonham, Pearson, Baker, Johnson, Hoever, McNally.