Sunderland 1 Rotherham United 1: Story of the day after Michael Ihiekwe own goal hands Cats a point in League One play-off race
and live on Freeview channel 276
Rotherham defender Michael Ihiekwe opened the scoring when he headed home a corner in the first half, while Sunderland struggled to create chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Alex Neil made some attacking substitutions in the second half, with Alex Pritchard, Jack Clarke and Elliot Embleton entering the fray.
Yet it took until the 88th minute for the hosts to draw level when Ihiekwe headed Clarke’s cross into his own net.
Here’s how the game played out:
RECAP: Sunderland 1 (Ihiekwe, own goal, 88) Rotherham 1 (Ihiekwe, 17)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Batth, Wright, Doyle, Hume (Clarke, 60), Evans, Matete (Embleton, 70), Gooch, O’Nien, Broadhead (Pritchard, 53), Stewart
- Subs: Hoffmann, Xhemajli, Neil, Clarke, Roberts, Embleton, Pritchard
- Rotherham XI: Johansson, Edmonds-Green, Wood, Ihiekwe; Harding, Rathbone (Lindsay, 79), Barlaser, Osei-Tutu (Mattock, 76), Wiles, Ogbene, Smith
- Subs: Chapman, Mattock, Bola, Odoffin, Lindsay, Kayode, Kelly.
23’ More good play from Hume
Sunderland have looked threatening when attacking down the right and did well again there as Stewart released Hume, before the latter’s low cross for Broadhead was turned behind for a corner.
The set-piece from Gooch was headed wide by Batth.
20’ Rotherham threatening
The visitors are finding more space in the final third now and created another chance there as Ogbene set up Wiles on the edge of the box.
The latter scuffed his effort wide.
17’ Goal Rotherham (Ihiekwe)
Straight from a corner as Barlaser’s in-swinging cross is headed home by Ihiekwe.
‘We are going up,’ chant the away fans.
15’ Ogbene provides a spark
That was Rotherham’s first real attack of the match after Ogbene burst forward down the right.
The Millers winger just took the ball out of play before sending a low cross into the box.
11’ Gooch cross caught
Sunderland have started the game on the front foot here.
Gooch’s cross from the left was caught but Johansson with Hume arriving at the far post.
8’ YELLOW CARD
Matete is booked for a foul on Barlaser.
The home fans felt that was harsh and are letting their feelings known.
6’ Bright start from Hume
That was an encouraging passage of play as Hume won the ball off Osei-Tutu and won a free-kick in a promising position.
Gooch’s free-kick was headed away, though.