Sunderland continued their promising start to the new Championship season by coming from a goal down to secure a 3-1 win against ten-man Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
The hosts grabbed the lead with a goal from Kenneth Paal on 12 minutes but the game turned in the favour of Tony Mowbray’s men when former Sunderland midfielder Jack Colback was dismissed for a poor challenge just before the midway point of the first-half.
Jack Clarke got the Black Cats on level-terms just before half-time and second-half strikes from Dan Ballard and Abdoullah Ba ensured Mowbray’s men made it four games unbeaten and moved to within one point and one place of the play-off spots ahead of Wednesday night’s visit to Blackburn Rovers.
The performance at Loftus Road also saw Sunderland represented in the Championship Team of the Week alongside star performers from the likes of Ipswich Town and Leeds United after they secured their own impressive wins over the weekend.
Jack Clarke got the Black Cats on level-terms just before half-time and second-half strikes from Dan Ballard and Abdoullah Ba ensured Mowbray’s men made it four games unbeaten and moved to within one point and one place of the play-off spots ahead of Wednesday night’s visit to Blackburn Rovers.
![Produced a solid display from right back for Leeds as he made four tackles, three clearances and won six aerial duels. Also looked to get forward, having two shots.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/18/09/GettyImages-1686461472.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. DEF - Luke Ayling (Leeds United)
Produced a solid display from right back for Leeds as he made four tackles, three clearances and won six aerial duels. Also looked to get forward, having two shots. | Getty Images
![Set up Josh Koroma for Huddersfield Town’s first goal in their win over Rotherham United before sealing the win with the Terriers’ second goal after 70 minutes.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/18/09/GettyImages-1626696389.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. MID - Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield Town)
Set up Josh Koroma for Huddersfield Town’s first goal in their win over Rotherham United before sealing the win with the Terriers’ second goal after 70 minutes. | Getty Images
![Was the hero for Blackburn Rovers as he scored both goals in their 2-1 home win over struggling Middlesbrough. Also made five key passes in an influential display.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/18/09/newFile-4.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. MID - Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers)
Was the hero for Blackburn Rovers as he scored both goals in their 2-1 home win over struggling Middlesbrough. Also made five key passes in an influential display. | Getty Images
![Scored from the penalty spot to seal Cardiff City’s win over Welsh rivals Swansea City.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/18/09/GettyImages-1685253544.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. MID - Aaron Ramsey (Cardiff City)
Scored from the penalty spot to seal Cardiff City’s win over Welsh rivals Swansea City. | Getty Images