Sunderland ground out an important 2 – 1 win over Plymouth at the SOL on Saturday thanks to goals from Dan Neil and Nathan Broadhead. The lads had raced into a two goal lead at the break after playing some good football but it was harder work in the second after Dan Scarr pulled a goal back. Lee Johnson’s side held on for the win after being on the end of some dodgy refereeing decisions and remain third in the league outside the promotion places on goal difference.
After the thumping 5 -0 win over Morecambe on Tuesday Lee Johnson named the same starting eleven for the visit of Plymouth. Plymouth got the game underway with the lads kicking towards the Roker End and Sunderland had an early shout for a penalty when Ross Stewart tumbled in the box trying to get on the end of Dajaku's cross but the officials were having none of it.
The lads took the lead a minute later when Dan Neil rounded off a brilliant set piece routine which had clearly been practiced at the training ground. Alex Pritchard played a corner in low at the front post to Ross Stewart who laid the ball back for Neil who fired a shot into the back of the net. It was a superb goal and well celebrated by Lee Johnson and his coaching staff.
Sunderland almost had a second a couple of minute later when Dajaku stormed into the box but the keeper held his left footed toe poke. The lads did double their lead after 12 minutes with another superb goal this time scored by Nathan Broadhead. Pritchard did well in the centre of the pitch before finding Leon Dajuka on the right flank. Dajaku absolutely skinned the full back before playing in a low cross which Broadhead back heeled past the keeper.
A minute later Sunderland almost got in again when Ross Stewart latched onto Bailey Wright’s ball over the top but the defender recovered and tackled the Scot. Sunderland went close again soon after when Gooch’s cross from the left eventually found its way to Dajaku but he fired over. Just before the 20 minute mark Ross Stewart got on the end of a cross from Dajuka from the left but his first time effort sailed over the bar.
On the half hour Sunderland went close to a third when Alex Pritchard seizes on a loose throw out from the Plymouth keeper. He crossed the ball into Broadhead in the centre of the box but the keeper denied his powerful shot palming it away.
Sunderland couldn’t add to their lead before the break as Plymouth grew into the game a bit more but still failed to register a shot on target. The lads left the field at half time to a good ovation after a superb first half performance.
Lee Johnson made a change at the break with Lynden Gooch replaced by Elliott Embleton which meant a slight change in the shape. The visitors had an early chance in the second period but Hoffman produced a tremendous save to deny Ryan Hardie. A minute later Callum Doyle produced a good block to keep Sunderland’s two goal lead intact.
At the other end Leon Dajuka volleyed over before with half an hour remaining Sunderland were incensed when the ref missed a blatant foul on Pritchard on the edge of the box. A few more decisions went against Sunderland and Lee Johnson was shown a yellow card for his protests.
Plymouth pulled a goal back after 63 minutes from a corner from the left hand side. Dan Scarr rose highest to Jordan Houghton’s corner and glanced the ball into the back of the net from close range. Sunderland immediately went on the offensive and forced a corner of their own but Flanagan nodded wide.
With twenty minutes left Sunderland went close again after a superb solo run by Nathan Broadhead. The on loan forward ran from his own half riding one challenge before being denied by the keeper after clipping a shot towards the top right hand corner. Leon Dajuka went close from the edge of the box with his shot just going wide of the post before Aiden O’Brien replaced Alex Pritchard for the final 15 minutes of the game.
Sunderland had a let off when Niall Ennis blazed over the bar unmarked in the box after the ref let another questionable challenge from the visitors go. Aiden O’Brien was then penalised for a foul with ten minutes left and booked even though it looked like a good challenge where he won the ball. The resulting free kick was eventually gathered by Hoffman.
Aiden O’Brien almost added a third after a mistake by the Plymouth keeper allowed him a shot on an open goal but a defender managed to get back and block his effort. The ball then rolled agonisingly slowly towards the goal but Broadhead couldn’t get to it to tap in ahead of a defender who cleared. With five minutes remaining Broadhead got into a good position in the box but the keeper saved his effort.
It was nervy in the closing stages of the game with Sunderland battling for the points and the fourth official added on five minutes after the 90. Sunderland held on with good defending and resilience for the points.
Final Score: Sunderland 2 Plymouth Argyle 1
ALS Man of the Match: Nathan Broadhead
