How Sunderland overcame a spirited Ipswich Town side to take a key step forward under Lee Johnson

Charlie Wyke the matchwinner again, a sumptuous volley by some distance the best moment of an often tense contest.

That game was also against Ipswich, and it was also defined by a crucial red card.

There had been little between the two sides at the Stadium of Light before Andre Dozzell's late challenge turned the contest.

Despite Ipswich's poor form, there was little reason to believe this would be more open and Lee Johnson's selection reflected that. Carl Winchester replaced Jack Diamond as the Black Cats reverted to 4-3-3.

The red card came considerably earlier here, and the win that followed was deserved if not routine.

Barely ten minutes had been played when Kayden Jackson arrived late for a loose ball, his reckless challenge leaving Bailey Wright crumpled in a heap.

It was undoubtedly advantage Sunderland, but the half that followed underlined the long-term issues we have seen them often face when trying to break down a deep-lying defence.

Ipswich were resolute and responded to their early setback well.

The Black Cats were a side frustrated. They were struggling to get in behind Ipswich's experienced full-backs, and too many long balls were fizzed over the top and in the driving rain, straight into touch. Set pieces were poor and Tomas Holy did not have a save to make until the 40th minute, palming away an effort from Wyke.

It looked as if Ipswich would make to the break with the scores level, before a passage of serious quality that belied what had come before.

Carl Winchester had been guilty of giving possession away too often but here he opened up the pitch with an audacious backheel O'Brien found Power on the overlap, and a glorious first-time cross was met on the volley by Wyke's left foot.

Holy was rooted to the spot.

The Black Cats were bolstered by that goal, Johnson switching to 4-2-2-2 and replacing Winchester (on a yellow card) with Elliot Embleton.

It almost yielded an instant result, an effort from the youngster deflected inches wide of the post.

Now the advantage looked obvious, Sunderland's movement better and the pressing more effective.

To Ipswich's credit, the introduction of Aaron Drinan gave them a much-needed outlet up front and Sunderland had to survive a period of late pressure to seal the points.

The visiting side always looked a threat on the counter (and only a superb Marc McGuinness block denied O'Brien a deserved goal), but were never entirely comfortable and were indebted to Lee Burge for a vital save after loanee Luke Thomas got free in the box.

Not a commanding win by any sense, but Sunderland’s promotion ambitions are very much alive.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Power, Willis, Wright, (Sanderson, 64) McFadzean; Leadbitter, Scowen, Winchester (Embleton, 45); O’Brien (O’Nien, 87), McGeady (Gooch, 79), Wyke

Subs: Matthews, Diamond

Ipswich Town XI: Holy, Chambers, Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward (Kenlock, 87); Dozzell, Downes, Nolan (Drinan, 54); Edwards (Sears, 87), Thomas (Bishop, 71), Jackson

Subs: Cornell, Baggott, Huws, Judge

Bookings: Winchester, 40 Ward, 70 Dozzell, 81

Red card: Jackson, 10

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