On this day in 2022, Sunderland beat Cambridge United 5-1 to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games and continue their charge to League One play-off success.
Alex Neil’s side were on a 10 game unbeaten run, and needed as many points as possible to secure a playoff spot. The Lads had previously drawn 0-0 against Plymouth at Home Park, it was a good stand alone result, however the Black Cats needed to get back to winning ways.
Sunderland were in control from the get go, and Neil’s side were pushing for an opener. Things got really bad for the U’s when Lloyd Jones tackled Ross Stewart in the penalty box, he received a straight red for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. The Loch Ness Drogba stepped up, and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
It was clear that Cambridge were struggling, and Elliot Embleton made it 2-0. It was a really strange goal, because the free kick was right next to the by line, so it was almost like a corner. However, Embleton found a way to float the ball over Dimitar Mitov into the far corner.
Cambridge responded well, and Paul Digby pulled one back in the 30th minute. The Lads had let a two goal lead slip against Shrewsbury, so some people were fearing the worst. Thankfully, Ross Stewart made it 3-1 in the 36th minute. Lynden Gooch fizzed a ball into Stewart, and it looked like his first touch had failed him but he was able to pull off a beautiful volley to make it 3-1.
Neil’s Lads went into half time 3-1 up, and everything was under control. It was a great first half performance. The second half began, and Sunderland were still dangerous. Lynden Gooch whipped in a great ball that was headed home by an on form Nathan Broadhead. Cambridge were really on the ropes, and it was clear that they couldn’t cope with Sunderland’s attacking flair.
The fifth goal came in the 71st minute, when Patrick Roberts pinged in a lovely weighted cross that was headed home by Danny Batth. This was the defender's first goal on Wearside. The game ended 5-1, and Alex Neil’s RAWA went on to win promotion later that year.
