Blackpool 2 Sunderland 3: Story of the day as Aiden O'Brien hat-trick sees Lee Johnson's side progress in dramatic Carabao Cup tie
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The Black Cats forward netted the winning goal in stoppage time after Blackpool substitute Josh Bowler had equalised two minutes from the end.
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson made seven changes to his starting XI following Saturday’s 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon, with new signings Frederik Alves and Niall Huggins making their debuts.
Here’s how it played out.
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RECAP: Blackpool 2 (Lavery, 9) (Bowler, 88) Sunderland 3 (O’Brien, 12, 57, 90)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Huggins, Alves (Doyle, 76), Wright, Cirkin, Winchester, Neil, Diamond, Pritchard (Embleton, 74), O’Brien, Broadhead (Stewart, 74)
- Subs: Bond, Doyle, Taylor, Hawkes, Gooch, Embleton, Stewart
- Blackpool XI: Grimshaw, James, Carey, Casey, Keogh, Hamilton (Anderson, 78), Garbutt, Gretarsson, Antwi (Bowler, 69), John-Jules, Lavery (Yates, 78)
- Subs: Moore, Husband, Anderson, Bowler, Ekpiteta, Holmes, Yates
31’ Huggins cross goes out of play
The debutant has looked forward when he’s got on the ball but he has been wasteful so far when he’s advanced into crossing positions.
A delivery from the right went out of play there.
25’ Better from Sunderland
Blackpool are committing men forward which is leaving space in behind.
Sunderland just enjoyed a spell of possession before O’Brien released Broadhead on goal.
Keogh was still in between the forward and the goal and the shot was tame and comfortable for Grimshaw in the Blackpool goal.
20’ Wingers switch flanks
Looks like O’Brien has moved to the right with Diamond switching to the left.
Sunderland are working hard out of possession to keep Blackpool at bay.
The visitors are dropping quite deep at times.
12’ GOAL!!! O’BRIEN!
What a pass from Dan Neil to cut open the Blackpool defence.
O’Brien made the run through the centre and converted with a neat finish.
9’ Goal Blackpool
The hosts have made the better start and took advantage of space down Sunderland’s right after Huggins ran forward.
John-Jules had time to pick out Lavery who converted from close range.
5’ Blackpool looking dangerous
Blackpool have created the first chances of the match and look up for it.
First, Antwi teed up James, who is playing in midfield on the edge of the penalty area but the latter fired his shot over.
Moments later John-Jules cut the ball back for Lavery from the left but the striker’s effort was straight at Patterson.