Sunderland avoided a giant killing and cruised into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win against Peterborough at London Road on Sunday afternoon. The result means Martin O’Neill’s rejuvenated side are now unbeaten in five games having won the last three thanks to second half goals from Seb Larsson and James McClean.

Following the win over Wigan on Tuesday evening, Martin O’Neill was named manager of the month for December which is a testament to the incredible impact he has had on a group of players whose confidence was clearly shot to pieces when he arrived at the club. The fact that so many ex players who played under him speak so highly of his management style is really exciting and having transformed our league fortunes I looked forward to seeing his approach to the FA Cup considering our dismal efforts in recent seasons.

As Lee Cattermole correctly pointed out during the week, the cup tie against the Championship side was picked for television as it had the ingredients of a potential upset but with recent form we went into the game as clear favourites.

We headed south with no new injury worries and Martin O’Neill made two changes to the side that won at the DW, with Jack Colback and Nicklas Bendtner both not even named in the squad. Simon Mignolet continued in goal behind a back four of Bardsley, Killgallon, O’Shea and Richardson. In midfield Larsson returned on the right, McClean continued on the left as did Cattermole and Vaughan in the middle whilst Gardner also moved alongside them into his natural position. Up front Sessegnon spearheaded the attack on his own. Westwood, Turner and Wickham were all fit enough for a place on the bench.

Craig Gardner started the game well and had our first effort on goal with a low long range drive which the highly rated keeper Joe Lewis saved and then Gardner almost turned provider crossing for Larsson at the back post although the Peterborough defender’s interception denied a certain goal.

Peterborough soon settled and started growing into the game and a well worked corner created a shooting opportunity which was well blocked by Bardsley before the loose ball volleyed just wide. They went close again soon after when Paul Taylor dribbled the ball from his own half but his left foot shot went wide of Mignolet’s right hand post.

Posh were forced to play a period of the game with ten men after a nasty clash of heads with his own team mate saw Ryan Bennett leave the field for treatment. We almost took the lead through James McClean when he was found on the edge of the box by Bardsley though the wingers shot crashed off the cross bar with the keeper well beaten. Sunderland ended the half the stronger of the two sides with Joe Lewis again denying Craig Gardner who did well to get his head onto Larsson’s cross before Kieran Richardson fired wide after a good burst forward.

After the break we took the lead almost instantly thanks to another Seb Larsson free kick which was won after McClean was hauled down out on the left wing. From out on the touchline the Swede whipped the ball into the box and as no one got a touch it bounced and nestled into the bottom right hand corner.

Larsson had an opportunity to double the lead from the restart when Craig Gardner, who did well all afternoon, nicked back possession and teed up the winger but his first time strike was tame and easily dealt with by Lewis.

James McClean did double lead and kill the tie with half an hour to go with his second goal in as many games. The Irish winger forced a corner and then got up well at the front post to glance Seb Larsson’s delivery into the back of the net.

Sunderland continued to dominate the second half with Bardsley and Gardner both trying their luck and shooting wide from long range before McClean caused more problems for Posh crossing a wicked ball into the six yard box but Sunderland couldn’t get anyone on the end of it.

We made three changes towards the end of the game with Ji, Meyler and Elmo all getting a run out as Sunderland retained possession well and professionally saw out the game.

Final Score: Peterborough 0 Sunderland 2

ALS Man of the Match: James McClean

Aidan Crowe

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