Sunderland 1 Doncaster Rovers 2 RECAP: Story of the day after Reo Griffiths and Tommy Rowe goals on Jermain Defoe's return
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The Black Cats fell a goal down when Reo Griffiths opened the scoring with a low shot in the 22nd minute.
Doncaster then doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time after Sunderland failed to clear a corner and Tommy Rowe fired home a second.
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Hide AdSunderland did create better chances after the break, and brought on Jermain Defoe with just under 20 minutes to go.
Corry Evans pulled a late goal back but it was too little too late.
Here’s how the game played out:
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RECAP: Sunderland 1 (Evans, 89) Doncaster Rovers 2 (Griffiths, 22) (Rowe, 45)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Winchester (Clarke, 62), Batth, Doyle, Cirkin, Evans, Neil (Matete, 73), Gooch, Embleton (Defoe, 73), Pritchard, Stewart
- Subs: Patterson, Hume, Matete, Roberts, Clarke, Dajaku, Defoe
- Doncaster XI Mitchell, Williams, Olowu, Younger, Seaman, Smith, Rowe, Jackson, Martin (Gardner, 69), Griffiths (Knoyle, 80), Odubeko (Dodoo, 74)
- Subs: Jones, Knoyle, Clayton, Barlow, Dodoo, Gardner, Agard
51’ More intensity from Sunderland
Sunderland have definitely started with more intensity in this second half.
The hosts have changed shape to play with a back four, with Cirkin and Winchester as advanced full-backs.
Neil has forced another save from Mitchell with a long-range effort.
47’ Pritchard shot saved
That is the best effort Sunderland have produced so far.
It came from distance as Pritchard twisted into a shooting position, before Mitchell saved the powerful strike.
45’ Goal Doncaster
Right before half-time.
A corner from the right wasn’t cleared and kept alive by Doncaster before Rowe hammered the ball past Hoffmann.
It’s been a shocking first half for the hosts.
44’ Wide from Embleton
Another chance goes begging. For all their possession, Sunderland haven’t really tested Mitchell.
This time Pritchard’s cross from the left was stabbed wide by Embleton.
More frustration for the hosts.
37’ Stewart heads wide
That was a chance to get back on level terms.
Sunderland played a short corner before Pritchard’s cross was headed wide by Stewart.
