Sunderland 3 Fleetwood 1: Story of the night as Luke O'Nien and Jack Clarke goals give Cats vital win
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Fleetwood went ahead in the first half when striker Ellis Harrison beat Anthony Patterson with a low finish.
That prompted Sunderland boss Alex Neil to make a double substitution at half-time, as Jermain Defoe and Lynden Gooch were brought on.
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Hide AdSecond-half goals from Elliot Embleton, substitute Luke O’Nien and Jack Clarke then gave the Black Cats a vital three points.
Fleetwood defender was then sent off for a foul on Ross Stewart three minutes from time.
Here’s how the game played out:
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RECAP: Sunderland 3 (Embleton, 55) (O’Nien, 82) (Clarke, 90+1) Fleetwood 1 (Harrison, 28)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Winchester, Wright, Xhemajli (Defoe, 45), Cirkin, Evans (Gooch, 45), Matete, Embleton, Clarke, Roberts (O’Nien, 71), Stewart
- Subs: Hoffmann, Doyle, Hume, Neil, Gooch, O’Nien, Defoe
- Fleetwood XI: Cairns, Andrew, Jules, Harrison (G.Garner, 42), Morris (Thiam, 71), C.Johnson, Baggley (Hayes, 51), Lane, Nsiala, Boyle, Johnston
- Subs: O'Hara, Donaghy, Butterworth, G.Garner, Thiam, Hayes, Bird
45’ More urgency
Finally there is more urgency from Sunderland.
Matete’s pass to Clarke on the left flank allowed the latter to register a shot at goal which Cairns saved with his foot.
Moments later more good play from Clarke saw hi cross for Roberts, who miskicked his shot, before the ball dropped to Embleton, whose shot was saved.
44’ Embleton shot blocked
Finally a half chance for Sunderland after Cirkin’s low cross found Embleton inside the Fleetwood box.
The midfielder’s low shot was blocked by Nsiala.
42’ Harrison makes way
The Fleetwood forward has gone down on multiple occasions with the visitors already trying to waste time.
He’s finally been replaced by Ged Garner.
36’ Fleetwood growing in confidence
Fleetwood have just had a spell of possession and almost created another chance when Baggley’s cross was cleared and the ball nearly dropped to Lane in the box.
28’ Goal Fleetwood
It’s a shocker from Wright whose backpass goes straight to Harrison to send the striker through on goal.
The Fleetwood forward beats Patterson with a low finish.
0-1.
26’ Patterson back up
There was a pause in play as Patterson received treatment.
The Sunderland keeper is back up now.
22’ YELLOW CARD
Evans is shown the first yellow card of the match for a foul on Harrison.
The home fans aren’t impressed with the visiting striker who received treatment before carrying on.
Harrison is booed as he comes back onto the pitch.