Behind the scenes at Sunderland 2-1 Ipswich Town: The secret post-match game and a new addition to the attacking arsenal

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We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the win at the Stadium of Light – from the pre-match confusion to the secret post-match game:

THE PRE-MATCH CONFUSION

The first sign that something was wrong was when Sunderland’s goalkeepers, only just out for their pre-match warm-up, quickly retreated back down the tunnel.

Behind the scenes at Sunderland 2-1 Ipswich Town

Club officials frantically hurried about pitchside, while the referee addressed coaches and players from both sides in the tunnel.

Word quickly filtered up from the photographers situated pitchside that the game would be delayed – although the reason behind it was quite unclear.

Eventually it was confirmed that kick-off would be pushed back by half an hour owing to ‘technical issues with external broadcast infrastructure.’

The notice came late in the day, meaning Sunderland’s players were already deep into their preparations for the game.

So players and staff from the Black Cats deserve credit for dealing with the challenging circumstances, adjusting their preparation and starting the game so brightly.

IS THERE ANYTHING LUKE O’NIEN CAN’T DO?

Ahead of the weekend trip to Gillingham, Phil Parkinson alluded to how dangerous Steve Evans’ side could be from long throw-ins.

So is that a weapon that Sunderland may add to their arsenal in the coming weeks?

Early in the first-half, we saw Luke O’Nien launch a long throw into the box (winning a corner in the process, it must be noted).

It’s something we haven’t seen much of this term, but it could prove a useful option for the Black Cats if they want to try a slightly different tact to get into the opposition box.

‘OH MY GOD!’

That was the shout from one Ipswich Town defender as referee Peter Wright pointed to the spot late in the contest.

But mild blasphemy aside, there is much to dissect about that penalty incident.

Ipswich’s players were incensed, as too was manager Paul Lambert – who post-match claimed that even Sunderland’s players told him that the spot kick shouldn’t have been awarded.

Lambert was quickly over to the referee at full-time and wasn’t shy in voicing his concerns on the touchline, having disagreed with both of the key decisions in the game.

And you wonder whether the Black Cats too would have been up in arms had things panned out slightly differently in that incident.

For what many missed during the incident was that Danny Graham had continued playing, sending a looping effort cannoning back off the crossbar before the penalty was awarded.

Had that shot been an inch lower, and nestled in the top corner, it would have been interesting to see how the hosts - and indeed Graham – had reacted were the goal chalked off and a spot kick given.

THE SUBSTITUTION THAT WASN’T

For the second time in less than a week, Sunderland had to alter their plans.

At Gillingham, Will Grigg was about to enter the fray before Charlie Wyke was brought down in the box – handing Chris Maguire the chance to score from the spot.

And against Ipswich, it was Aiden O’Brien who had to retreat back to the stands having been stripped and ready to make his mark on the game.

O’Brien was just waiting for a stoppage in play before he was introduced, but that stoppage turned out to be the penalty that was duly dispatched by Grant Leadbitter.

So it was back to the bench for O’Brien, with Dion Sanderson instead introduced to try and shore things up.

THE CELEBRATIONS

Parkinson was his usual calm self on the touchline.

There was no exclamation of joy when the full-time whistle, nor even a fist pump – just a COVID-friendly elbow bump with the opposition bench.

But in his post-match press conference, the joy in his face was clear to see. This was a big win, and it wasn’t lost on the Sunderland manager or his player.

That much was clear from the celebration following Leadbitter’s winning goal. The midfielder slid into the corner, quickly followed by his teammates as they revelled in what could prove to be a key moment in this campaign.

And as the final whistle went, the Sunderland players’ relief at seeing out that vital win was clear.

In contract, Ipswich players slumped to the ground – while their manager headed straight for the officials.

THE GAME AFTER THE GAME

As the streaming cameras turned off and the players headed back down the tunnel, a second game was just kicking-off at the Stadium of Light.

For those players not involved against Ipswich – or those who got minimal minutes – Steve Parkin, Lee Butler and Andrew Taylor oversaw a small-sided game on the Stadium of Light pitch.

O’Brien, Grigg, Sanderson, Dan Neil and Remi Matthews were all involved in the secret game, as too was Elliot Embleton who is continuing to build-up his match fitness.

And it must be said, he was looking sharp.

George Dobson was also one of those playing, with the midfielder having been absent from the match day squad for the last two games.

Jordan Willis was also involved and earned vocal praise from Parkin for a series of excellent blocks.

Following that miniature match, the players completed box-to-box runs as they keep on top of their fitness ahead of a series of cup games – in which many of them will hope to be involved.

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