Sunderland suffered a first defeat in 5 matches as the Black Cats slipped down the table in the Championship. Swansea were the dominant side in the first half and scored twice through Oliver Cooper and Harry Darling. Sunderland responded well in the second and scored not long after the break through Jack Clarke but couldn’t find a leveller.
Tony Mowbray made one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Blackpool at the Stadium of Light; Dan Neil replaced Amad Diallo, who dropped to the bench alongside Jay Matete and the returning Dennis Cirkin.
The hosts almost took the lead in the first minute; from a corner, the ball hit Luke O’Nien and needed a great save from Anthony Patterson to keep it out. Swansea should have been in the lead later, a ball in by Ryan Manning was met by Luke Cundle in the six-yard box but his touch was poor and couldn’t get a strike away.
Sunderland were gifting the Swans possession in dangerous areas, Cundle had a deflected effort from range tipped round the post by Patterson. Swansea were dominating and it was no surprise that they took the lead, Oliver Cooper picked up the ball and his effort deflected off O’Nien and left Patterson with no chance.
Sunderland were all over the place and the home side were able to play the ball far too easily and the backline of Sunderland weren’t at the races.
The Black Cats had grown into the game a little and were looking much better in possession but couldn’t find a moment of quality in the final third. Just before the break Swansea made it two, a free kick was nodded across and Harry Darling prodded it home.
Sunderland worked it well and the ball from Alex Pritchard was over hit as Neil was waiting to head it towards goal. -The lads had started the second half the better and the lads had numbers forward but Jack Clarke went alone and did brilliantly to drill an effort into the far corner. A really nice tight finish.
Sunderland were far better than the first half and were increasing the pressure on the Swans in search of an equaliser.
The hosts almost sealed the points with Jay Fulton’s curling effort, but it was a great save from Patto to deny him. From the following corner, the ball was flicked on and somehow Patterson kept out Joel Piroe’s effort.
Substitute Amad came close to getting the equaliser, but he couldn’t get enough on his curling effort which was comfortably saved. Sunderland were struggling to create any chances in the dying stages, it had become a stop start game, with the hosts happy to slow it down.
Full Time: Swansea 2-1 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Jack Clarke
Sunderland: Patterson, Gooch, O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Roberts (Bennette 64’), Evans, Neil (Ba 77’), Clarke, Embleton (Matete 78’), Pritchard (Amad 77’)
Subs Not Used: Bass, Cirkin, Wright.
