Sunderland 1 Accrington Stanley 1: Story of the day as Mitchell Clark goal earns hosts a point after Aiden O'Brien opener and Ross Sykes red card
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After a goalless first half, Lee Johnson’s side opened the scoring when Aiden O’Brien’s deflected effort looped past Stanley goalkeeper Toby Savin.
Sunderland appeared to be in control when defender Ross Sykes was sent off for a second yellow card 14 minutes from time, yet there was a late twist.
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Hide AdMitchell Clark pulled a goal back in the 84th minute as Sunderland were cut open too easily.
Here’s how the game played out:
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RECAP: Accrington Stanley 1 (Clark, 84) Sunderland 1 (O’Brien, 47)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Hoffmann, Wright, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin, Neil, Embleton, Gooch, Pritchard (O’Brien, 45), Dajaku, Stewart
- Subs: Patterson, Xhemajli, Diamond, Hawkes, D. Hume, T. Hume, O’Brien
- Accrington Stanley XI: Savin, Clark, Nottingham, Sykes, O’Sullivan (Rich-Baghuelou, 80), Pell, Butcher, Hamilton, Amankwah, McConville (Longelo, 80), Bishop
- Subs: Isherwood, Rodgers, Baghuelou, Longelo, Nolan, Morgan, Malcolm
43’ Flanagan keeps hosts out
Sunderland have really struggled to deal with Accrington’s physicality in the last few minutes.
Another flick on fell to Pell inside the area before Flangan threw himself in front of the shot to concede a corner.
41’ Penalty appeal turned down
Sunderland have been under pressure in the last few minutes and were almost caught out there.
After a knock down in the box, Doyle found himself the wrong side of Bishop and collided with the Accrington forward.
The home players appealed for a penalty but nothing was given.
37’ Another chance
Accrington go close again as McConville’s cross from the right is met by the head of Sykes who nods it back across goal.
Sunderland survive.
36’ Big save from Hoffmann
That’s the closest Accrington have come so far as the Sunderland keeper tips the ball over the bar.
34’ Accrington not happy
“How is that not a foul,” shouts Accrington boss Coleman as Cirkin pulls O’Sullivan to the ground on the edge of Sunderland’s box.
The Accrington player gives the referee a sarcastic applause.
31’ Another Sunderland chance
This time Gooch and Cirkin linked up well on the left, with the latter making an overlapping run and delivering a cross.
The ball fell back to Gooch who skewed a shot wide.
27’ Neil fires over
Sunderland created a good overload there as Embleton linked up with Dajaku on the right.
The latter’s cross was cleared to the edge of the box where Neil tried his luck but fired his shot over.