Connect with us

Sports

REPORT – Doncaster Rovers 0-3 Sunderland AFC: Black Cats leave fans purring and move within a point of league leaders

Published

on

Credit: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images... Sunderland complete routine 3-0 win over Doncaster

Sunderland win 3-0 away at relegation-threatened Doncaster to move into second in League One and are just a point adrift of table toppers, Rotherham.

It was a routine victory for Johnson’s side who showed their class throughout, making the contest a very one-sided affair. The away end was sold out once again as Sunderland supporters watched their side dominate and extend unbeaten league run to eight games.

The Black Cats move into second place and leapfrog Wigan who’s Boxing Day fixture was cancelled due to a rise in Covid cases.

Ross Stewart netted his 12th of the season as Elliot Embleton made it two just before the break.

It was three early in the second half as Pritchard’s flick deflected off a Doncaster defender before hitting the back of the net.

Sunderland put the pressure straight back on their rivals with the win on Monday afternoon and are one of the most in-form teams in all four English divisions. Johnson has his side playing front-foot, attacking and exciting football in recent times which has shown why Sunderland are most pundits’ promotion favourites.

It was an emphatic win at the Keepmoat…

HOW IT HAPPENED

The visitors grabbed the lead early-on after putting the hosts under intense pressure in the opening stages…

Leon Dajaku received the ball just outside the box on the right as he dribbled into the danger area before being clipped. The referee pointed to the spot and top-scorer Ross Stewart calmy converted from twelve-yards to make it 12 goals so far this campaign.

1-0 inside seven minutes…

Sunderland were on-top for the rest of the half and had a number of decent opportunities to double their lead. Alex Pritchard sent his free-kick narrowly wide from just outside the area on the right before Dajaku had his effort blocked inside the 18-yard box after another mazy dribble.

The second goal came just before the break when the away side took advantage of some poor defending as Rovers put themselves under unnecessary pressure after giving the ball away cheaply inside their own half.

Pritchard’s cross from the side of the box, after a quickly taken free-kick, found the onrushing Elliot Embleton who skilfully hit the ball on the volley and passed goalkeeper Jones into the empty net.

After taking their 2-0 lead into half time, the points were all but secured as the Black Cats controlled proceedings in the second period. An own-goal from Ben Blythe early in the second 45 completed the job as they cruised to victory and made it three.

Gooch was given time and space on the Sunderland left before his cross hit youngster Blythe, after the ball was diverted goal-wards by Alex Pritchard’s impressive flick.

Game, set and match.

It was a second clean sheet in four games for Hoffmann after conceding in the previous two League games.

The Black Cats continued to purr and could have made it four or five in the closing stages. Embleton hit the woodwork following his impressive dribble and drilled shot which hit the top of the post before going wide.

The visitors had the ball in the net once again as substitute Denver Hume was on the end of a perfect cross from the right, only for the linesman to have his flag up. Johnson was able to bring off key players towards the end as Sunderland extended their unbeaten run.

The Wearsiders face Sheffield Wednesday at home in three days time and know a win would keep the pressure on their promotion rivals. Sunderland lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture against Wednesday back in November and will be looking to get revenge on the Owls at the Stadium of Light.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hoffman (7); Doyle (7), Flanagan (7), Wright (7); Gooch (7), Evans (7), Neil (7), Dajaku (8); Embleton (8), Pritchard (8), Stewart (8)

SUBS: Hume (6), Harris (n/a), Cirkin (7)

MANAGERS COMMENTS

Sunderland Manager Lee Johnson: 

“There was some really good stuff. I suppose the standard setter in me wants more at times but given the circumstances it was a difficult game for us and for Doncaster as well due to a lot of injuries and the covid situation.

“I thought once we got in our rhythm, we moved the ball around nicely and we got some really good players – Embleton, Neil and Pritchard will have enjoyed themselves today. We let them (Doncaster) off the hook a couple of times, especially in the first half, where we tried a killer pass to early. It was nice to get the third early in the second half, it settled us and overall I am very pleased with the result.”

He added:

“It was good to get the goals we did, infront of a big crowd who were expecting it settles the nerves, especially the first one and then the second goal just when it was getting a bit edgy as Doncaster started to get into it a little bit more.

“Obviously the third pretty much seals it for us, and enabled us to rest a couple of players going into a big game in three days.”

“We had to be professional today. We had to find some control and obviously the early goal did us a right favour. Then we left them off the hook a bit but the second goal was really good timing for us because it was getting a bit frustrating. It’s a really big three points. We had to capitalise on closing the gap (to leaders Rotherham) and we did.”

Post-match thoughts? Who was your MOTM? 

Can Sunderland finally gain promotion back to the Championship? How impressed were you by Johnson’s side today?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

 

 

Featured

Eddie Howe Wants to Keep Two Out of Contract Players this Summer.

Published

on

Eddie Howe Wants to Keep Two Out of Contract Players this Summer.

Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.

Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.

6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.

Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.

Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.

Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.

 

Who would you want to remain at the club from the current out of contract list – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates –https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Continue Reading

Featured

Top 10 Free Transfers NUFC Could Sign This Summer

Published

on

Newcastle United Free Transfers - top 10 Summer 2023

10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.

The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.

We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.

 

  1. Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)

The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.

Potential – A

Impact – A

 

  1. Yerry Mina (Everton)

With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.

Potential – B

Impact – A

 

  1. Jonathan Bamba (Lille)

An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.

Potential – C

Impact – A

 

  1. Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.

Potential – B

Impact – A

 

  1. Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.

Potential – B

Impact – A

Continue Reading

Featured

Sunderland suspend Jack Diamond after player is charged with rape and sexual assault

Published

on

A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.

Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.

Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.

His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”

“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.

The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.

Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Trending