Exactly how Aiden O'Brien and Tom Flanagan goals sank Gillingham as Elliot Embleton sees red for Sunderland
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It had been two weeks since Sunderland were last in league action after Lee Johnson’s men suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Portsmouth.
Since then, the Wearsiders won two Papa John’s Trophy games 2-1 against Lincoln City and Manchester United U21s over the international break.
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Hide AdThat means Sunderland have now qualified from Group F ahead of their return to third-tier action at Priestfield Stadium this afternoon.
Over the international break, the Black Cats dropped to fourth in the League One table with Wigan Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle now ahead of Sunderland coming into this weekend’s games.
Today, however, the Wearsiders returned to winning ways at Priestfield Stadium against Steve Evans’ side.
Here, though, we take you through everything that happened at Sunderland defeated Gillingham in League One with goals from Aiden O’Brien and Tom Flanagan propelling Lee Johnson’s men to victory.
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Gillingham vs Sunderland RECAP
Key Events
- Sunderland defeated Gillingham in League One this afternoon at Priesfield Stadium
Underway!
1 - We’re underway at Priestfield Stadium.
Sunderland have the ball at the back with the returning Doyle and have lined up 4-2-3-1 with O’Brien in the middle to start, Pritchard is to the right of him and Embleton to the left.
Looks a pretty fluid three behind Stewart
3 - Doyle pushes forwards and gives it to Cirkin and plays the ball too Neil who gives it to O’Brien, his shot is the first on target of the game
5 - Stewart through
Ross Stewart was played through but the ball just evades him. Sunderland battling well to keep the ball. Doyle has been on the ball a lot so far as Hoffmann also gets touches.
Seven mins gone
Like O’Nien with a tremensoud clean tackle to halt the Gills’ momentum. SAVE HOFFMANN. Great effort from Gillingham!
8 - Close
Gillingham were close to taking the lead there if it wasn’t for some last ditch defending from Dennis Cirkin but Sunderland clear their lines. Interesting start to this game. Gillingham look bang up for this.
10 mins gone
Ryan Jackson is causing Sunderland a few problems from right-back down Sunderland left hand side.
Neil and O’Brien exchange passes and it comes to Cirkin. Sunderland play it about but Flanagan fails to find O’Brien and it is out for a goal kick.