Sunderland sealed their place in the quarter finals of the League Cup with an incredible penalty shootout win.
The first half was an even affair with the hosts just shading proceedings. Charlie Austin had the ball in the back of the net for the hosts, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up. The two sides couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes and Sunderland won a dramatic shootout 3-1.
Carl Winchester, Luke O'Nien, Dan Neil & Ross Stewart were the only players to keep their places as Lee Johnson made several changes to the side that lost to Charlton.
The last time the two sides met was back in 2018 where Jason Steele was sent off for handballing it outside the box, and Eberechi Eze scored the winner in a 1-0 win.
Sunderland had the first chance of the night, the lads worked it well and Gooch brilliantly slipped it through to Dajaku, but the German’s effort was blocked by Seny Dieng.
The lads were on top and should have scored following a great run by Dan Neil; the young midfielder broke past a few QPR players and forced Dieng into a smart stop.
The hosts had their best chance of the early stages as Lee Burge made a brilliant stop to deny Yoann Barbet’s effort from range.
Sunderland had come out of the blocks the quicker, but the hosts were starting to control possession and stamp their authority on the game.
QPR were close to opening the scores as Osman Kakay’s pullback to Ilias Chair was fired just wide.
Sunderland almost conceded an own goal in sensation fashion; a ball into the box was met by Frederik Alves, who sliced his clearance just over the bar.
The hosts were getting closer to the opening goal, and Andre Gray forced Burge into a smart stop to keep the game goalless.
The half ended at 0-0, and Johnson will have been pleased with his side’s efforts in matching the Championship side for large periods of the half.
Sunderland worked the ball well as Neil, slipped it through to Luke O’Nien who tried to find Stewart, but it was turned behind with the big Scot waiting to tap it home.
With just over an hour on the clock, the pace of the game had slowed considerably, Aiden McGeady and Aiden O’Brien were brought on to try and inject a bit of life into Sunderland’s attacking play.
Substitute Charlie Austin, with almost his first touch of the game, thundered a volley towards goal, but he couldn’t keep it down.
Sunderland had a glorious chance to open the scores, McGeady whipped in a lovely ball that only needed a touch, but somehow O’Brien missed it altogether from a few yards out.
With less than 10 minutes to go, QPR thought they’d got the breakthrough, but the flag went up Albert Adomah was adjudged offside, but replays showed that Sunderland got away with one.
With less than two to play, Winchester unleashed a fierce low drive that just flashed past Dieng’s post.
On the break, Sunderland had a chance to win it, but McGeady’s effort was well saved by Dieng to deny the Irishman.
With no extra time, the tie went to penalties and Sunderland got off to the perfect start with Burge denying Austin and McGeady stepped up to give the lads a 1-0 lead. Elias Chair stepped up and ballooned it over the bar and Stewart powered an effort in to make it 2-0. Dykes and Pritchard both scored theirs to make it 3-1, Barbet blazed high and wide to give Sunderland the win and a trip to the quarter finals.
Full Time: QPR 0-0 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Lee Burge
Sunderland: Burge; Winchester, Wright, Alves (Doyle 69’), Hume (Cirkin 24’); O'Nien, Evans (McGeady 64), Neil; Gooch (O’Brien 64’), Stewart, Dajaku (Pritchard 69’
Subs not used: Hoffmann, Flanagan, Harris & Wearne
