Doncaster Rovers 0 Sunderland 3: Story of the day as Cats go second in League One table after convincing win at the Eco-Power Stadium
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats took an early lead when Ross Stewart converted a sixth-minute penalty following a foul on Leon Dajaku.
Sunderland were comfortable in possession for the rest of the first half before Elliot Embleton added a second when he was set up by Alex Pritchard.
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Hide AdThe third goal came five minutes after half-time when Lynden Gooch’s cross deflected off Doncaster defender Ben Blythe for an own goal.
It’s a result which moves the Black Cats up to second in the table, though they have played more games than teams behind them.
Here’s how the game played out:
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RECAP: Doncaster Rovers 0 Sunderland 3 (Stewart, 6) (Embleton, 41) (Blythe, own goal, 50)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Wright, Flanagan, Doyle, Gooch, Evans (Cirkin, 58), Neil, Dajaku, Embleton, Pritchard (Hume, 74), Stewart (Harris, 82)
- Subs: Burge, Alves, Cirkin, Younger, Hume, Harris, Kimpioka
- Doncaster XI: Jones, Knoyle, Olowu, Blythe, Hasani (Bogle, 45) , Smith, Ravenhill (Gardner, 61), Horton, Rowe, Dodoo (Barlow, 75), Hiwula
- Subs: Dahlberg, Barlow, Williams, Cukur, Gardner, Faulkner, Bogle
66’ Hoffmann saves
A rare effort on target for the hosts as Hoffmann allowed a low cross to travel across the penalty area.
The ball fell to Horton at the back post and his shot from a tight angle was saved.
64’ Over from Cirkin
Cirkin has slotted in at left-back with Gooch moving further forward and Embleton dropping into midfield alongside Neil.
Sunderland continued to attack down the left as Cirkin got forward but fired his shot off target.
60’ Two chances for Embleton
More good play from Sunderland saw Neil setup Embleton in the box but his shot from close range was deflected wide.
The visitors kept the pressure on from the subsequent corner as Embleton fired a shot onto the post from a tight angle.
58’ Cirkin makes his comeback
Dennis Cirkin has come on to make his first appearance since his double hernia operation.
Corry Evans has made way.
‘Johnson give us a wave,’ chant the away fans and the Sunderland boss responds.
The travelling fans are enjoying their day.
50’ GOAL!!! 3-0!!!
That should seal it!
An excellent run from Gooch on the left forced Doncaster back before his low cross deflected in off Blyte for an own goal.