Sunderland made it two away wins in as many games with a stunning win and jumped into second in League One.
Sunderland’s opener came via a Terell Thomas own goal and the lead was doubled later in the half through Ross Stewart’s 8th goal of the season. Shortly into the second half, Stewart got his second to ensure and a Leon Dajaku goal in the second half ensured the points returned to Wearside.
Lee Johnson made one change with Elliot Embleton suspended and meant a welcome return for Aiden McGeady, who captained the side.
Sunderland were looking to build upon the win away at Gillingham with a trip to second-bottom Crewe.
The hosts had grown in the game, and an effort from Kayne Ramsay just flashed over the bar – Sunderland needed to up the tempo and regain control.
Sunderland should have taken the lead through O’Brien, McGeady worked his magic down the left and picked out O’Brien, who forced Jaaskelainen into a good save.
Johnson will have been baffled how his side weren’t leading, Dan Neil chipped a lovely ball to O’Brien, who raced through but couldn’t sort his feet out to get an effort on goal.
The pressure was too much for Crewe as Pritchard’s whipped ball in was turned into his own net by Terell Thomas who sliced it past his keeper.
It was chance after chance for the lads, Pritchard’s delivery from corners was spot on, and Stewart was inches away from turning his header home.
Sunderland were having a ball, Pritchard wonderfully slipped it through to Neil who chipped a ball to Stewart who couldn’t miss from six yards – a brilliantly worked goal.
The lads should have made it three before the break, McGeady whipped in a teasing ball and O’Brien did well to get on the end of it but couldn’t keep it down.
Sunderland made it three through a second goal for Stewart, Pritchard’s corner was flicked on by Callum Doyle and tucked in by the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’.
Former Sunderland man Mikael Mandron almost got a goal back for the hosts but was denied by a miraculous save by Thorben Hoffman.
Crewe were enjoying a lot more of the ball in the second half, and with Sunderland sitting back the hosts were pushing to a find a route back into the match.
Sunderland put the result beyond any doubt on the break, Leon Dajaku broke from his own box with only the keeper to beat and lashed it past Jaaskelainen at the near post.
Johnson will have been incredibly pleased with his team, to a man they’d been superb and there were several contenders for man of the match.
Full Time: Crewe Alexandra 0-4 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Dan Neil
Sunderland: Hoffmann; Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin (Hume 65’); O'Nien, Neil, O'Brien, Pritchard (Dajaku 57’), McGeady (Wright 74’); Stewart
Subs Not Used: Burge, Harris, Younger, Wearne
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