Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 0: Story of the day as Elliot Embleton goal gives Cats much-needed win in League One
and live on Freeview channel 276
Elliot Embleton scored the only goal of the game five minutes before half-time when he was set up by Ross Stewart.
After a shaky start, the Black Cats were more assured after the break to claim a much-needed three points.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNew signing Danny Batth also made his debut in the heart of the Black Cats’ defence.
Here’s how the game played out:
A message from the Football Clubs Editor
Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year .
This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.
Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor
RECAP: Sunderland 1 (Embleton, 40) Portsmouth 0
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Flanagan, Batth, Doyle, Gooch, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Embleton (Winchester, 83), Dajaku (O’Brien, 88), Stewart
- Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Winchester, Diamond, T.Hume, O’Brien, Kimpioka
- Portsmouth XI: Bazunu, Carter, Raggett, Robertson (Jacobs, 78), Romeo, Thompson (Williams, 71), Morrell, Hackett, Harness, Curtis (Hurst, 71) , Walker
- Subs: Steward, Freeman, Brown, Ogilvie, Williams, Jacobs, Hirst
80’ Important tackle from Neil
Sunderland are just starting to come under more pressure now.
Neil made an important challenge in the area there to keep the visitors at bay.
78’ Sunderland going top as things stand
WIth Wigan drawing against Gillingham and Wycombe losing at Morecambe, Sunderland are going top of the table as things stand.
Still just over ten minutes to go.
75’ Williams booked
Another booking for Pompey as Williams goes into the book.
The visitors have conceded a few free-kicks in their own half but Sunderland haven’t been able to take advantage.
72’ Romeo booked
Pompey right wing-back Romeo has been forced back by Cirkin in the second half and is booked for a foul on the Sunderland man.
63’ How Batth has fared
It’s been a solid debut for the central defender so far.
He has won most of his headers against Pompey striker Walker and made a few switches of play out to the flanks.
Batth has often kept things simple in possession.
57’ Wide from Neil
Sunderland are playing with more confidence in possession compared to the early exchanges.
Dajaku has looked lively at times and set up Neil with a pass infield before the midfielder skewed a shot wide.