Southampton 4-2 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC were defeated at Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Stuart Armstrong opened the scoring at St Mary’s and Saints doubled their advantage before the break, as Adam Armstrong converted a controversial penalty.
A second-half comeback followed when stunning finishes from Romain Mundle and Jobe levelled the game, but the home side struck back twice through Joe Rothwell to claim the points.
Maston Burstow was named in the starting XI and the striker was handed an early sight at goal, but he failed to find the target and test Gavin Bazunu.
Saints replied with an opportunity of their own through David Brooks, who flashed a low 25-yard drive a fraction wide of the post.
The home side were gifted an opener on nine minutes, as the Black Cats failed to clear and S. Armstrong bundled the ball home from close range after Anthony Patterson kept out Jan Bednarek’s initial effort.
Chances continued to fall for Russell Martin’s side and A. Armstrong fired over before Jenson Seelt’s goal-saving challenge denied Ché Adams.
Southampton were awarded a penalty on 36 minutes when Chris Rigg felled Ryan Manning, with A. Armstrong stepping up to convert.
The striker appeared to touch the ball twice when dispatching the spot kick, but the Black Cats’ protests were turned down and Saints led 2-0 at the interval.
Mundle’s excellent finish reduced the arrears after the hour mark, with a desperately unlucky slip preventing Nazariy Rusyn from striking at goal moments later.
A stunning strike from Jobe hauled Sunderland level, but the Black Cats were dealt a blow when Dan Ballard went down injured and was unable to continue.
Two goals from substitute Rothwell arrived soon after, ensuring the points remained on the south coast.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Hume, Seelt, Ballard (Styles 71), Hjelde, Neil, Rigg (Aouchiche 56), Jobe, Ba, Mundle (Ekwah 87), Burstow (Rusyn 56).
Subs not used: Bishop, Pembele, Hemir, Lavery, Jones.
Southampton: Bazunu, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Downes, Smallbone (Aribo 57), A Armstrong, Brooks (Sulemana 57), A Armstrong (Rothwell 73), Adams (Mara 84).
Subs not used: Lumley, Bree, Charles, Dibling, Edozie.