Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 0: Story of the day as Elliot Embleton goal gives Cats much-needed win in League One
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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.
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Hide AdNew signing Danny Batth also made his debut in the heart of the Black Cats’ defence.
Here’s how the game played out:
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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
21’ Embleton shot saved
Best chance of the game so far.
Dajaku won the ball off Robertson high upo the pitch and set up Embleton, whose curling shot was parried away by Bazunu.
Better from Sunderland.
20’ A change of tactics
After being pressed high from some short goal kicks, Hoffmann elected to kick the ball upfield there.
The hosts have struggled to get out of their own half so far.
10’ Flanagan almost caught out
Portsmouth have seen more of the ball so far and are pinning Sunderland back when the hosts try to play out.
Sunderland tried to play out through Flanagan there and the defender was almost caught on the ball inside his own box, as Curtis almost stole possession.
4’ Bright start from Pompey
The visitors have started on the front foot and registered the first effort on target as Curtis fired a shot over the bar.
Moments later Harness broke free down the right before his cross was blocked.