Inside Sunderland 4-1 Doncaster Rovers: A key moment of quality, a telling reaction and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' pre-match chat

We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the League One triumph – from a telling reaction to a key moment of quality:

KYRIL LOUIS-DREYFUS’ PRE-MATCH CHAT

Aside from a crucial win, the big story of the day was that prospective new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was on Wearside.

The billionaire was present at the defeat to Shrewsbury Town in midweek and was pictured at the Stadium of Light for the first time during this fixture.

Pre-match, Louis-Dreyfus was taken pitchside by chief executive Jim Rodwell and the pair shared a brief chat before then greeting the players (socially distanced, of course) as they exited the field after their warm-ups.

He then took a seat in the stands to watch the game – and if Tuesday was a glimpse of the hard work that needs to be done to transform Sunderland, the Doncaster win was an insight into the promise this club has.

Louis-Dreyfus was visibly pleased with what he saw, and will now be hoping approval form the EFL comes quickly so he can really get to work at the Academy of Light.

WHAT NEXT FOR MAGUIRE?

As Lee Johnson rotated his squad after the disappointment in midweek, there was one piece of team news that may have slipped under the radar: the omission from the squad of Chris Maguire.

This isn’t the first time the Scot has been left out the squad under Johnson and there were question marks over his future towards the end of the January transfer window.

Johnson has been quick to reiterate that he sees every player, Maguire included, playing a part before the season is out.

But the 32-year-old – who watched this game from the stands – seems to have fallen some way down the pecking order in recent weeks.

THE QUICK THINKING THAT STARTED THE ROUT

This was arguably Aiden McGeady’s best showing by some distance since his return to the side in December.

And in among the many moments of quality he delivered in the game – including four assists for Charlie Wyke – there was one which perhaps slipped under the radar a little.

It came in the first half, as Sunderland looked to push forward after a cagey start.

McGeady cleverly drew a foul from former Black Cat Reece James and then quickly took the free-kick – spraying the ball to Lynden Gooch who was in space on the opposite flank.

Gooch then won a corner, and it was from that set play which Sunderland opened the scoring.

It’s those moments of inventiveness and quality that can prove key in games, and McGeady can undoubtedly provide them.

If he can continue to do that on a regular basis then Sunderland stand to seriously benefit in the promotion race.

99 PROBLEMS…

But the pitch ain’t one.

On a weekend which saw numerous League One games called off, Sunderland’s groundstaff once again deserve credit for getting the game on.

There were traces of snow around the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, but the surface itself was free of frost after a week where temperatures barely came above freezing across the North East.

While the pitch still looks bare in parts and was again cutting-up at times, it hasn’t markedly deteriorated since it took a hammering from the heavens in that game against Plymouth Argyle last month.

And for that, credit must got to the groundstaff.

A TELLING REACTION

It’s been a tough week for Sunderland’s goalkeeping department.

After question marks emerged over Lee Burge, the starting spot at Shrewsbury on Tuesday went to Remi Matthews.

He then endured a tough afternoon in Shropshire with Burge back in the side against Doncaster.

The pair have justifiably come in for some criticism at times this season, but Burge put in an impressive performance against Rovers.

His two penalty saves proved key and his first, in particular, was a superb stop and came a crucial time in the game.

Burge’s reaction to that stop said a lot – a fist pump and a roar after Jon Taylor’s effort was repelled over the bar by his leg. It was a big save, and one which clearly meant a lot to the stopper after a difficult week.

At full-time, Burge was met by goalkeeping coach Lee Butler who looked equally delighted with the stopper’s performance.

A good day for Sunderland’s goalkeeping department, then, and the level of performance the side will need from their stoppers in the weeks and months to come.

ONE AREA OF CONCERN

This game could have been a very different one had Doncaster taken one of the early chances that had fallen their way.

Taylor twice came close to scoring at key moments in the first half – seeing a shot kept out by Lee Burge with only seconds on the clock, before skewing an effort wide when left unmarked at the back post with the score at 2-0.

Had either of those gone in, then the match may have followed a very different trajectory.

Sunderland may be concerned that both those chances – and indeed the cross for Doncaster’s goal – came from their left flank.

Callum McFadzean was back in the side and was steady enough, but teams are continuing to exploit that side of the Sunderland backline.

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