Sunderland and Preston played out a goalless boring draw at the SOL today. In an uneventful game Sunderland's lack of an out and out striker was exposed as Tony Mowbray's side struggled to look threatening as an attacking force. The result sees the lads sit seventh in the league.
There were no fresh injury concerns for Tony Mowbray after the International break although the news on Ellis Simms wasn’t good with Mowbray revealing the striker would be returning to Everton for further scans to assess his toe injury. With Ross Stewart still side-lined it meant another game for the lads without a recognised striker although the gaffer seemed content with his options and again talked up Patrick Roberts in his pre match press conference.
Mowbray also revealed Dennis Cirkin was back in training leaving him with a selection dilemma following Aji Alese’s form after replacing him. The gaffer made no changes from the side that drew 2 – 2 with Watford at Vicarage Road. For the visitors Troy Parrott was named on the bench after signing on loan despite having been heavily linked with a move to Wearside in the transfer window.
The visitors got the game underway kicking towards a decent following in the North Stand and the Lads had the chance of the game but Alex Pritchard fired a low shot wide. At the other end Alese did well to cut out a cross which looked destined to offer Preston a good chance. After 15 minutes Preston won a free kick in a dangerous area down the left but Patterson did well to catch the cross.
It was a cagey opening half with neither side finding a killer pass in the final third but Sunderland did start to enjoy a bit more possession midway through the first half. After 25 minutes Jack Clarke had an effort on goal after cutting in from the left but he blazed way over.
On the half hour Sunderland produced the best moment of the game so far after a good back heel from Jack Clarke set Alese away in the box. He fired an inviting ball across the face of the goal but the Lads had no one on the end of it. After 35 minutes Roberts fired over with a curling shot with his left peg after a good move involving Embleton and Pritchard down the right.
Neither side made a change at the break but five minutes into the restart Sunderland had an effort on goal when they broke from a PNE corner. Roberts played in Pritchard who in turn played in Embleton but his shot was blocked. At the other end Patto made another smart stop to deny Ched Evans.
With half an hour remaining Mowbray made a double change with Ba and Diallo replacing Evans and Embleton. Five minutes later Troy Parrott replaced Ched Evans then five minutes later Bennette replaced Pritchard.
Sunderland looked more lively when Bennette came on but it was the visitors who forced Patterson into a save through Parrott. At the other end the lads broke quick but were reduced to shooting from long range with Roberts’ shot held low. With ten minutes left Jack Clarke was replaced by Leon Dajaku.
The pattern of the game continued with Sunderland looking half decent in build up before failing to create anything clear cut. The same could be said of the visitors who pushed for a winner in the three minutes of injury time before the ref blew the whistle for another Preston 0-0.
Final Score – Sunderland 0-0 Preston North End
ALS Man of the Match - Anthony Patterson
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