Phil Smith's verdict: Inside Sunderland's crucial, narrow win and what it told us about the season ahead

This was one of those rare Saturday afternoons in which both sides left the Stadium of Light feeling fairly good about themselves and the road ahead.
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Admittedly, it may have taken some time for the dust to settle on the Peterborough United bus.

This had been a hard-fought contest between two well-matched sides, a game that always seemed likely to be settled by a narrow margin and a crucial moment.

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It came less than ten minutes before the end, Denver Hume going to ground amid a tangle of legs in the box.

Christy Pym makes a fine save from Josh ScowenChristy Pym makes a fine save from Josh Scowen
Christy Pym makes a fine save from Josh Scowen

In a moment truly fitting of the Ferguson brand, Peterborough United's boss waited for a calm and a silence to finally settle before screaming: "Referee that is an absolute joke of a decision!". One or two words have been left out in the retelling of that tale.

His post-match remarks were little different.

Elsewhere, though, it is is difficult to find fault in his assessment of the contest. His side were left to rue their inability to take their chances in a strong opening to the contest.

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He felt that their performance levels were good and was relaxed about their lowly position in the table in these fledgling weeks of the season.

For Sunderland, it was on the whole a better result than it was performance, one that spoke to their defensive resilience and organisation.

There is room for improvement and some room for concern, but seven points from nine, and no goals conceded from open play, represents an imposing start.

An uncertain beginning and an impressive response

There had been times in the first half when it looked a little as if Sunderland might be overwhelmed.

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The way they had kept a highly-fancied Oxford United side at bay a week previous had lifted spirits on Wearside, though there was also a recognition that Karl Robinson's side had somewhat played into their hands.

A switch to a narrow 4-4-2 and a more direct style looked ill-fated from the moment Bailey Wright began getting into his work, heading away ball after ball, never threatening to break sweat.

There was once a time when Sunderland in League One looked as if they would buckle when the opposition went from back to front.

No longer. Seven clean sheets in nine appearances for Wright tells its own story.

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The opening day of the season, though, had hinted at one weakness that may still lurk for the Black Cats as a defensive unit. They had looked a little uncertain against a lively Bristol Rovers front three, and Wright had been lucky not to be sent off.

Peterborough picked up on that opportunity superbly, to begin with at least.

They had both the nerve and the quality to play through the Sunderland space, matching their 3-5-2 shape. Siriki Dembele was a livewire, intelligently dropping into space between the centre-back and the full-back before spinning away and driving towards goal.

Jonson Clarke-Harris, a traditional target man who has caused Sunderland problems for three different clubs since they dropped into League One, linked up with him well and should have scored at least once in the opening exchanges.

Ferguson pinpointed that as the crucial moment.

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Score then, he said, and Sunderland would have had to force the issue. We have seen in the past when these two sides have met how costly that can be.

Sunderland, to their credit, came through that period.

They showed some composure to build a spell of possession, nudging themselves up the pitch and taking the sting out of the contest.

Suddenly the pressing was a little easier, Dembele and Sammie Szmodics beginning to get slack with their passing as they played further and further away from their own goal.

As they had done against Oxford, the Black Cats then seized the initiative at the beginning of the second half, and had their own spell when they ought to have gone ahead.

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Christy Pym made two superb stops, and Aiden O'Brien looked to have a good shout for a penalty.

By the time Leadbitter's penalty came, Peterborough had rallied again and as Louis Reed's late half-volley whistled inches wide of the post, they were more than entitled to feel their efforts deserved a point at least.

The questions Sunderland fans are still asking

Sunderland, undoubtedly, still have some questions to settle.

Phil Parkinson has been clear that he will shuffle his forward line, last week opting to put Danny Graham up against an inexperienced youngster.

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This time, Charlie Wyke's willingness to press saw him get the nod against a side who played out from the back at every opportunity.

In a hectic schedule rotation is inevitable and yet there is no doubt that Parkinson will want someone to truly seize their chance.

It seems remarkable that in the three league games so far this season, the centre forward has taken just nine of Sunderland's 52 shots on goal (though Aiden O'Brien has had a further nine as the second striker).

Sunderland’s curious shot numbers…

v Bristol Rovers (25, with three from Will Grigg and Charlie Wyke)

v Oxford United (18, with none from Danny Graham or Charlie Wyke)

v Peterborough United (9, with one from Charlie Wyke and Danny Graham)

This season, Sunderland have at times looked relentless in the final third, particularly in the opening stages of the second half here and at the Kassam Stadium.

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Yet there have also been moments when the striker has been isolated in a manner too reminiscent of past disappointments.

So this was a fine win, three points earned against a side with a greater capacity to hurt them than most in this division.

Even if there is much work to be done, it is inarguable that Sunderland have a solid platform to build on, in their well-functioning back six and their solid position in the table.

What a moment, too, when Leadbitter clenched his fists to celebrate that 'Premier League' penalty, as Parkinson described it.

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His first goal since returning to the club, a first goal in red-and-white since May 2009, and his first on this turf since that magnificent strike against Arsenal all those years ago.

Sunderland's midfield is in safe, determined and resilient hands.

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