Sunderland AFC 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday
The Owls Make it Three Wins in Three as They Beat Sorry Sunderland
A goalless first period was overshadowed by an efficient Wednesday performance. Wednesday went ahead through Lucas Joao just before the hour mark. The Owls were pegged back when George Honeyman equalised several minutes later. Sunderland then threw everything at it to try and win the game however two goals from Lees and Nuhiu gave the away side the victory.
Both teams came into the game after a good wins on Good Friday. Wednesday beat Preston North End and Sunderland beat Derby County with both games ending 4-1.
The visitors opened the chances early into the game. Jack Hunt slipped the ball down the right flank for Reach. The Winger latched onto Hunts pass, cut in and hit a tame shot at goal which was easily picked up by the keeper.
Ten minutes in, Joe Wildsmith’s goalkick found its way to Donald Love. Love darted down the right-hand side before unleashing a ferocious strike from around 30 yards which went just over the bar. Moments later, McNair must have found Love as inspiration as he tried the same effort as the Sunderland fullback but just from closer to goal. Paddy McNairs shot flew across the face of goal and out for a goalkick.
Wednesday then had a half chance to take the lead. Hunt played a ‘one-two’ with Barry Bannan before crossing towards the centre. Joao passed first time to Pelupessy who hammered his effort high and over the bar.
Sunderland went close with five minutes to go through Ex-Owls Loanee Aiden McGeady. The Black Cats won a freekick on the edge of the box after Bannan lunged in on George Honeyman. McGeady stepped up and neatly hit it over the wall however Wildsmith was on hand to bat the effort away from goal.
The halftime whistle went and both sides went in goalless. Wednesday have won their last two fixtures against Leeds United and Preston North End. In those fixtures, Wednesday have gone in at halftime at 0-0 and then won it in the second period. Would that be the case today?
Minutes after the restart, Bryan Oviedo was slotted down the left wing by McGeady. The Costa Rican saw his low driven cross hit the side netting due to an important block by Hunt.
Sheffield Wednesday took the lead just before the hour mark. Bannan sent in a high ball towards the back stick. Atdhe Nuhiu nodded the ball down for Lucas Joao to half volley past Lee Camp in the Sunderland goal.
However Sunderland equalised straight away from kickoff. The ball was pumped up field and flicked on to Lynden Gooch by Fletcher. Gooch took it down the line before coming back on himself to cross towards the backpost where George Honeyman, who scored against Wednesday in the previous fixture, headed the ball into the back of the net. Would this goal give Sunderland the confidence to go on and win the game to get some vital points in their bid for survival?
The answer… No as Sheffield Wednesday nudged ahead once again. George Boyd won a freekick, after being tripped by scorer Honeyman, wide left of the area. Joey Pelupessy sent in a perfect cross towards the back post where stand-in Captain Tom Lees was on hand to easily volley into the net.
The hosts attempted to recreate their first goal from the kickoff and also saw a penalty appeal waved away by the referee. Again, the ball found its way on the right channel with Lynden Gooch. Gooch twisted and turned his way past Boyd but saw his cross headed away by Jordan Thorniley. The ball landed at the feet of Lee Cattermole who rifled a fierce shot at goal which ricocheted off the post to Fletcher. Gooch received a pass from Ashley Fletcher before advancing towards the byline. His progress was thwarted as Barry Bannan flew into the challenge. Despite it looking like it was a definite penalty, the referee and his linesman thought nothing of it and allowed play to continue.
The Owls extended their lead further with fifteen minutes to go through Atdhe Nuhiu. Hunts cross found its way to Adam Reach on the left. The North-East born winger curled a dangerous cross into the six yard area where Joao met it. Joao’s shot was saved by the outstretched arm of Lee Camp but Atdhe was on hand to power the ball into the back of the net with his head. This was the Kosovan Internationals fifth goal in three games.
Sunderland were desperate for a way back into this game and went close late into the match. Donald Love found himself in lots of space on the right. He hit a shot at goal which was parried away from danger by Joe Wildsmith.
The fulltime whistle went to send the travelling support into cheers. A good win for Wednesday who now look certain to be staying in the Championship for next season. They’ll be focusing on finishing the season on a high and build some momentum for next campaign. They next take on a strong Fulham side at Hillsborough on the 7th of April. As for Sunderland, it’s beginning to look more and more certain that they will be playing League One football a year after being relegated to the Championship. They next play Leeds United at Elland Road next Saturday.
STAR MAN: Tom Lees
While Nuhiu gets his deserved plaudits for his goal and assist, I’m going to give it to Tom Lees. The centre-back was solid all game. This fixture was more about being commanding at the back, something the home side lacked massively. Lees won numerous aerial duels, made some important blocks and tackles while commanding his team.
Attendance: 29,786
Goals: Joao (59’), Lees (68’), Nuhiu (75’); Honeyman (61’)
SAFC: Lee Camp; Donald Love, John O’Shea, Marc Wilson, Bryan Oviedo (Adam Matthews); Lynden Gooch (Ovie Ejaria), Lee Cattermole, George Honeyman (Joel Asoro), Paddy McNair, Aiden McGeady; Ashley Fletcher
Unused Subs: Jason Steele, Kazenga Lua Lua, Callum McManaman, Josh Maja
SWFC: Joe Wildsmith; Jack Hunt, Frederico Venancio, Tom Lees, Morgan Fox (Jordan Thorniley), George Boyd; Barry Bannan (David Jones), Joey Pelupessy, Adam Reach; Atdhe Nuhiu, Lucas Joao (Fernando Forestieri)
Unused Subs: Cameron Dawson, Jacob Butterfield, Jordan Rhodes, Marco Matias
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