Sports

REPORT – Sunderland AFC 5-0 Morecambe: The Black Cats move up to third after emphatic win

Published

1 year ago

December 8, 2021

Credit: @sunderlandafcofficial instagram - Sunderland get their joint-biggest win of the season to move into third...

Sunderland climb to third in League One after demolishing relegation threatened Morecambe 5-0 at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.

REPORT

Nathan Broadhead scored twice as Ross Steward, Alex Pritchard and Leon Dajaku were also on the scoresheet to help Johnson’s side to a comfortable victory, making it five league games unbeaten.

The Black Cats burst out of the blocks to score twice inside the opening 20 minutes, with wing-back Lynden Gooch claiming the assist on each occasion.

Gooch dribbled passed Morecambe full-back Ryan McLaughlin to deliver a decent cross from the left, as Stewart’s first-time shot beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Four minutes later, Gooch delivered another teasing cross which fell to the feet of Nathan Broadhead as the striker scored his first of the night. The Everton loanee gave himself space in the box and headed home from close range.

The home side missed a guilt-edged opportunity to make it three before the break as top scorer Ross Stewart prodded wide from his first-time shot.

In the closing stages of the first period, Morecambe were almost given a lifeline. Midfielder Aaron Wildig found himself unmarked as he diverted Alfie McCalmont’s cross wide after a rushed effort on goal.

Substitute Toumani Diagouraga went close for Morecambe in the opening stages of the second half but Sunderland put the game to bed with a third goal shortly before the hour mark – an impressive win to give the Wearsiders momentum heading into the condensed Christmas period.

Johnson’s side refused to sit back despite a comfortable lead.

Credit: @sunderlandafcofficial instagram

Alex Pritchard sweetly swept home from Dan Neil’s cutback as the hosts made it three. Nathan Broadhead netted his second twelve minutes later as his driven shot flew passed Letheran in the Morecambe net.

Nobody has more assists under their name in League One than Sunderland Midfielder Neil who was heavily involved yet again on Tuesday evening.

Sunderland added a fifth with three minutes remaining as Dajaku’s shot took a hefty deflection before finding the back of the net, putting the icing on the cake for the Black Cats.

Academy graduate Kimpioka helped engineer the fifth, before Dajaku’s deflected strike hit the back of the net.

It was their joint-biggest win of the season as Johnson’s side continue to climb the table in their hunt for promotion to the Championship.

The victory sees the Black Cats move within two points of Rotherham in top spot, with 6th placed Plymouth Argyle up next at the Stadium of Light on Saturday for a play-off place battle.

Table Toppers Rotherham face tenth placed Burton on Saturday knowing that anything less than a win may see them move from first position, with Sunderland breathing down their necks.

The performance combined with the emphatic result kept the Sunderland faithful warm in otherwise brutal winter conditions as yet another storm hit the region.

The only storm at the Stadium of Light was from the side in red and white who demolished the Shrimps to climb within two places of top spot in League One.

SO, WHAT NEXT?

The win represents more than just three points for Sunderland who have found some much-needed momentum heading into the crucial festive period.

The result gives supporters hope that the club is on the right track once again with the real possibility of promotion come the end of the season.

Lee Johnson saw what his side have been missing in previous weeks as it all seemed to come together on the night.

Sunderland were clinical in front of goal, kept possession well, played with an increased tempo, and pressed Morecambe off the ball until it was back in their hands.

The Black Cats can’t be expected to play with that level of intensity in every game but at the Stadium of Light, Tuesday’s performance should be the benchmark as in previous years the Wearsiders have drawn far too many games on home soil.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hoffmann (7), Wright (7), Flanagan (7), Doyle (7); Neil (8), Winchester (7), Dajaku (8), Gooch (9), Pritchard (9), Broadhead (8), Stewart (8)

Subs: Embleton (6), O’Brien (6), Mbunga-Kimpioka (7)

MANAGERS COMMENTS

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson:

“It was a tough game going into it, the pressure was on and we performed extremely well. They gave us a couple of warning signs in that first half, but we felt like we could exploit their backline with the quality we’ve got. They have got good forward players and a lot of energy in midfield, so they can cause you problems.

“We knew they’d penetrate at some point during the game, but generally I felt we had good control. Right from the start, you could feel the vibe. It was really positive from the start. We started well and it carried on from there.”

He added:

“It was such a cold night and obviously a few less fans than normal because of the weather. I’m really pleased for the fans that turned up, we gave them a five-star show.”

Morecambe Manager Stephen Robinson:

“We’ve a mountain to climb before the game has even started. We then passed the ball about, we looked pretty, we had chances, Jonah [Ayunga] has got to score, Aaron [Wildig] should score and we’ve a goal disallowed.

“Ultimately, if you’re going to defend like that at a stadium like this with good, good Championship players in the squad, then you’re going to get punished, and we got exactly what we deserved.”

He added:

“It could’ve been two all if we had taken our chances, I think that’s the difference in the levels in terms of the quality they have at the top end of the pitch, they get chances, they take them, we get chances, we don’t.”

Post-match thoughts? Who was your man-of-the-match? Can Sunderland reach top spot by Christmas? Will the Black Cats gain promotion to the Championship come May?

Join in the conversation and have your say…

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Featured

Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

Published

7 days 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.