Sunderland fall to another costly home defeat on a wretched Stadium of Light pitch
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Plymouth Argyle had not won away from home all season until this evening, but slack defending allowed them to twice take the lead in a contest they deserved to win.
It was a painfully familiar story on home turf for the Black Cats, who struggled to turn possession into chances and lacked precision in the final third.
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Hide AdOn a night where many of their promotion rivals earned crucial victories, their poor form on home turf is increasingly threatening to derail their ambitions for the campain.
Persistent rainfall through the afternoon and evening had put the game in significant doubt, with numerous pitch inspections taking place in the run up to kick-off.
A badly affected Stadium of Light always looked likely to pose significant challenges for both teams, with standing water visible in the opening exchanges.
As the rain eased through the contest the pitch began to cut up badly, and that Plymouth Argyle coped the better in the early minutes gave them a considerable advantage.
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Hide AdIt was Sunderland who had the first meaningful effort, Aiden McGeady cutting inside and curling an effort just wide of the far post.
Jack Diamond had been reinstalled in the XI as one of three changes, after Lee Johnson had pledged before the game to freshen things up to protect some of the group.
That bright start proved misleading, though.
Sunderland were looking to play in behind and into the channels quickly, but the unreliable surface made it a tall order.
Plymouth were moving the ball better, and Lee Burge had to do well to gather a low drive from Grant.
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Hide AdRyan Lowe’s side were tidy in possession, and took the lead just eleven minutes in after creating a dangerous overlap on the right. A terrific low cross was fizzed towards the middle of the goal, where Liverpool loanee Adam Lewis had the simplest of finishes.
The Black Cars were struggling to build momentum, though in an excellent five minute period they were unfortunate not to get back on level terms. Their first effort came when Diamond drilled a cross to the front post, where Aiden O’Brien’s instinctive, first-time flick almost crept in at the near post.
Sunderland felt they should have had a penalty minute sbefofre, Charlie Wyke brought down
Minutes later, O’Brien sprung McGeady through on goal with an excellent pass.
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Hide AdThe slightest of touchest from a Plymouth defender proved key, slowing McGeady down just enough to allow Cooper to get off his line. The angle was narrowed, and McGeady couldn’t quite lift the ball over the goalkeeper.
The conditions were affecting Diamond down the right in particular, the dynamic youngster unable to trust the ball under his feet.
The Black Cats were dominating possession but Plymouth looked comfortable.
McGeady wasted a good opening when he drilled wide of the far post after pouncing on a slack pass, but Sunderland’s problems were deepening as a visibly uncomfortable Jordan Willis had to be replaced ten minutes before the break.
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Hide AdThe influential defender had been limping for a few minutes beforehand, the pitch clearly an issue for a player who has had injury issues of late.
McGeady went close again just before the break, a low effort deflected just wide, and Sunderland went into the second half facing the familiar challenge of breaking down a team happy to sit on their lead.
The response was excellent, Diamond scythed down within seconds of the restart as he drove towards goal.
Plymouth were under pressure and it told as Winchester, making his full debut, played in McFadzean on the overlap. The cross to the centre of the box was excellent, and the header from O’Brien to the far corner was even better.
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Hide AdThe Black Cats had the platform they needed, but were the architects of their own downfall as they found themselves behind again within minutes.
Plymouth broke free down the right flank and Edwards was able to break into the box unchallenged. The finish was exceptional, fired into the top corner from a narrow angle with Burge helpless to prevent it.
That strike had a major impact on the contest, significantly steadying the visitors just when they looked to be on the ropes.
Sunderland’s momentum was halted, and their lack of attacking incision thereafter was reflected in Johbson reshuffling his attacking options with twenty minutes to play.
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Hide AdPlymouth were unsurprisingly increasingly happy to sit in and protect their lead, and the Black Cats were unable to open them up.
There were too many overhit passes into touch, and not enough poise around the edge of the opposition area.
Aside from one weak Diamond effort from range, Cooper was untested in the away goal as the Black Cats fell to another defeat.
They now sit nine points off the automatic promotion places, though Charlton Athletic’s defeat at Peterborough United means the play-off positions are still within one win for Johnson’s side.
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Hide AdSunderland XI: Burge; Sanderson, Willis (Power, 36), Wright, McFadzean (Embleton, 71); Winchester (Leadbitter, 78), Scowen, Diamond, McGeady (Maguire, 71); O’Brien, Wyke
Subs: Matthews, Younger, Leadbitter, O’Nien
Plymouth XI: Cooper; Aimson, Opuko (Wootton, 80), Watts; Edwards, Mayor, Fornah, Grant, Lewis (Reeves, 62); Hardie (Nouble, 80), Jephcott (Ennis, 74)
Subs: McCormick, Telford, Tomlinson
Bookings: Winchester, 28 Lewis, 46 O’Brien, 53 Cooper, 83