Sports

REPORT – Ipswich Town 1-1 Sunderland AFC: Broadhead nets fifth of season as Black Cats drop points in promotion race

Published

1 year ago

December 18, 2021

Credit: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images - Broadhead gets his fifth of the season to held Sunderland rescue point...

Sunderland came from behind to earn 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon as striker Nathan Broadhead netted his fifth of the season.

Ipswich took the lead in first-half stoppage time through James Norwood but the visitors equalised just five minutes into the second period.

James Norwood gave the hosts a well-deserved lead after Macauley Bonne’s attempted cross ballooned up off a Sunderland defender before Norwood nodded home off the underside of the bar from short range.

Broadhead equalised for the Black Cats as he latched onto a pinpoint through ball from Dan Neil, who added to his tally of most assists in League One this season. The on-loan Everton striker finished smartly to the keepers right to put his side back on level terms.

Sunderland lost ground on their promotion rivals following the draw away to the Tractor Boys as both second placed Wigan and league leaders Rotherham managed wins on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson’s side remain third but are now four points from the top of League One and two from The Latics in the automatic promotion places, who have a game in hand.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was the home side who came out of the blocks quickly at Portman Road and could have been two up inside the opening ten minutes. Burns and Norwood combined with a well-worked one-two inside the area on the Ipswich right, but Burns’ effort went wide.

Burns was involved again moments later as he dribbled into the box and delivered an inviting cross which found the unmarked Matt Penney at the far post. His first-time shot bounced up and over the bar – he really should have scored.

The breakthrough came in first-half injury time.

Macauley Bonne was a threat all half and got behind the Sunderland defence on the right as his cross deflected into the path of the onrushing Norwood who managed to head the ball into the net via the bottom of the crossbar.

The Black Cats came out in the second half full of energy and carried a far greater threat. They got their just deserts as Dan Neil split the Ipswich defence open courtesy of a perfect ball into the path of Nathan Broadhead. His first time shot into the bottom right corner was a really calm finish.

Five minutes later, Sunderland had a chance to go in front after a mistake from Walton in the home side’s net. Gooch’s well-timed throughball set top-scorer Ross Stewart away before Walton rushed off his line only to realise he wouldn’t reach the ball before the onrushing striker.

However the on-loan Brighton man stood up to block Stewart’s shot – a guilt-edged opportunity.

The next close opportunity went to the home side as midfielder Evans’ free-kick on the left-hand touchline forced Hoffmann to tip the ball over the bar.

Substitute Vincent-Young came close moments later for the hosts but his curled shot went just wide of the post.

For all their efforts in the second 45, neither side could force a winning goal. The visitors will certainly be disappointed to lose ground on their promotion rivals.

The draw was the fair result in this one as Ipswich gained a much-needed point to spark their season into life. New boss McKenna starts his role on Monday morning and will be looking to build on the momentum gained from the draw with a decent Sunderland side.

For Johnson, there were still some positives to take and his side worked hard to earn the point on Saturday afternoon.

Sunderland failed to make it three consecutive wins as fans will be somewhat frustrated by the draw, however their side still sit in an extremely strong position near the top and are on an impressive seven game unbeaten run in League One.

Considering the injuries faced by the Black Cats and the strong performance from the hosts, this point may be hugely important come the end of the campaign.

Sunderland face an exciting trip to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening for their Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Arsenal who are in fine form following a dominant display at Elland Road, winning 4-1.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hoffmann (7), Wright (8), Flanagan (7), Doyle (6), Gooch (6), Winchester (7), Neil (8), Dajaku (6), Pritchard (5), Broadhead (8), Stewart (6)

Subs: Hume (6), Embleton (6), O’Brien (6)

MANAGERS COMMENTS

Sunderland Manager Lee Johnson:

“ I thought they had the better of the first half, we had the better of the second half.

“I thought it was a good game in terms of that competitiveness and the aggression on show. We upped our aggression in the second half, we had to. There was too many individual duals lost in the first half that just gave them momentum.

“Those breaks in the game just fell to them. We tried to stem the flow. They didn’t have loads of chances but we didn’t have anywhere near enough quality switches of the paly, quality balls into our forwards.”

He added:

“We had to change the shape to match them up and I thought the second half we really did go toe-to-toe. In the lead up to the goal, there was four or five big tackles that led to us getting the ricochet and switching play to then allow Dan Neil to show his great feet. A great through ball to a really god receiving presentation from (Nathan) Broadhead and then a really good finish.

“I’m alright with a point. I want to win football matches but this was a really difficult game for us in terms of the occasion they put on. We didn’t quite stand up to it enough in the opening exchanges but second half we came through well and I think our travelling fans will see we have got spirit to come back from a game like that.

A draw is okay if you go and finish it off in the next game with a win.”

Ipswich Manager John McGreal:

“I look back on it and it’s an add-on from Wigan last week. We felt we could have nicked it last week at Wigan with the performance and there was more than enough today to win a game of football. It’s just ironing out those little things.

“Ten minutes, 15 minutes into the second half they’ve equalised but again I thought our boys got back on the front foot. There was a plan throughout the week. We knew 30,000 fans were going to come, we know how well they’re performing and everyone was on the front foot.”

He added:

“We went a little bit man for man. We’ve got to stand up and every player, even the subs coming on, put in an unbelievable performance today. I thought that there was some quality throughout, we looked dangerous and looked a real potent, fit team.”

Post-match thoughts? Who was your MOTM? Are you happy with the point? Will Johnson guide Sunderland to promotion?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2023

Chris Tubman

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.

They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’

Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..

Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.

What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.

You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates

Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter

Featured

Amazon filming Newcastle United for “All or Nothing” style documentary

Published

1 month ago

February 8, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Amazon Prime are currently filming behind-the-scenes footage at Newcastle United for a new documentary.

The docu-series will provide an insight into the club and its efforts to secure a top-four finish and a piece of silverware in the 2022-23 season.

Reports today revealed that camera crews have been filming a four-part documentary for their All or Nothing series. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie confirmed that the series will cover the club and the new owners as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League and win a trophy.

The All or Nothing series has previously documented other Premier League Clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, and Spurs as well as the Brazilian national team, Juventus, and the All Blacks of rugby.

Something I mentioned last night on @tfNUFC: Camera crews have been filming behind-the-scenes at Newcastle United for a four-part documentary to be shown on Amazon.
The series will chart the club & its owners as they attempt to win a trophy & qualify for The Champ League #NUFC

— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) February 8, 2023

Newcastle face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26 at Wembley.

🗓️ 26.02.23@ManUtd 🆚 @NUFC #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/V23zWPDoxP

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 1, 2023

The Magpies have featured three times in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Most recently in the 2003-04 season as they reached the third qualifying round, eventually losing on penalties to Serbian side FK Partizan.

The season before the Toon finished third in the 2002-03 Champions League group stages, winning twice against Bayer Leverkusen and drawing with Inter Milan 2-2 at the San Siro. The lineup that night; Given, Solano, O’Brien, Dyer, Shearer (C), Bellamy, Speed, Griffin, Hughes, Dabizas and Viana.

The series is expected to air later this year and will be available on Amazon Prime.

Based on previous seasons, you can expect exclusive access to training sessions, team meetings and match days, giving fans an in-depth look at what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis at Newcastle United.

It is set to be an incredible storyline and one that should provide fans with some real insight into what it takes to compete at the top level of professional football.

What do you think Newcastle fans?

Does this excite you or do you stand more with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp who once said the cameras could be intrusive to the dressing room when he turned down the offer from Amazon In 2018?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page…

Sports

Newcastle target rejects Everton move following £45m bid.

Published

2 months ago

January 30, 2023

Lewis Thompson

Everton have made a £40million bid with £5m in add-ons to sign Connor Gallagher from Chelsea.

This comes after Newcastle completed the signing of Anthony Gordon, the club’s second most expensive transfer behind Alexander Isak.

Everton received an initial fee of £40m plus add-ons that could increase the deal to £45m.

EXCL: Everton have submitted a bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea. It’s £40m proposal plus £5m add ons. 🚨🔵 #EFC

Chelsea will make a decision soon as there are also other clubs interested in Gallagher — and player has to decide his future too. pic.twitter.com/xZeuGqaR01

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2023

The Toffees currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are looking to reinvest the money from the Gordon deal to sign much-needed players under newly appointed manager Sean Dyche.

But, multiple sources have reported today that Gallagher is not actively pushing for a move and has no intention of going to Goodison Park. However, with Chelsea having met the record-breaking €120m release clause for World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher may be forced to leave the club if the transfer is complete.

🚨| Conor Gallagher is not interested in a move to Everton 🔵 pic.twitter.com/0CYzXjBoBd

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 30, 2023

This leaves Newcastle an option as the player would prefer a move to a top-six club.

This morning, Eddie Howe said, “We’ll see what we can do to try & bring a player in. There’s no guarantees. In terms of permanent signings, it will be very difficult. We’ll look at a potential loan. But it’s got to be the right player & not one for the sake of it”.

Due to financial fair play, the only way Newcastle could sign the player is through a loan, with an obligation to buy the player for at least £45m, the same price they paid for Anthony Gordon.

Gallagher has been playing regular Premier League football over the last two seasons. Since returning to his parent club Chelsea, the 22-year-old has been linked with a move away to numerous Premier League clubs.

Last season he was named Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season by their fans. He also won the Player of the Month award twice, Goal of the Month once, and was awarded the Young Player of Year at the 2022 London Football Awards.

In the same season, he made 36 appearances scoring eight goals and registering three assists that earned Palace a 12th-place finish, one point behind Newcastle.