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
One minute added time
Sunderland almost had a third there as Flanagan’s header from Pritchard’s free-kick was punched off the line by Jones.
41’ GOAL!!! EMBLETON!!!
Sunderland have a second before half-time and it’s deserved.
Flanagan’s clipped ball over the top of Doncaster’s defence was hooked back across goal by Pritchard for Embleton to convert.
2-0!
39’ Doncaster growing into the game
Doncaster are just starting to see more of the ball now, with Sunderland keeping their shape.
The hosts haven’t really threatened Hoffmann’s goal, though.
33’ Evans urged to shoot
More good pressing from Dajaku forced Jones to clear the ball on the edge of the keeper’s area.
The goal was left open as the ball dropped to Evans who was urged to shoot from distance. His effort went over the bar, though.
24’ Important clearance from Wright
Sunderland were forced back there as Knoyle got forward from right-back.
His cross into the box was headed away by Wright who did well to cover.
19’ Sunderland pushing for a second
Sunderland have stayed on the front foot since the goal and are moving the ball well.
Pritchard has caused problems picking up pockets of space in front of Doncaster’s defence and took the ball on the half turn there.
Jones managed to turn his low effort behind for a corner.
Doncaster have also switched to a 4-2-3-1 system to match Sunderland up.
15’ Embleton shot saved
What a pass from Dan Neil to switch the play to Embleton on the left.
The latter then cut inside before shooting straight at Jones in the Doncaster goal.
Sunderland have started with what looks like a back four with Dajaku playing so high up the pitch, forcing Doncaster wing-back Horton back.
Wright is playing as the right-back.