Sunderland

Sunderland came from behind to win 3-1 against Fleetwood - but who stood out for the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light?

Photo: JPI Media Photo: JPI Media Photo: JPI Media

Three second-half goals lifted Sunderland up to fifth in Sky Bet League One as they came from behind to beat struggling Fleetwood 3-1 at the Stadium of ...

And when Embleton turned in the equaliser from close range after Cairns could only parry Clarke's initial drive, Sunderland went for it. Ellis Harrison's predatory strike in the 28th minute after a poor mistake at the back from the hosts had put Fleetwood, now without a win in 10 matches, in the driving seat. And Jack Clarke's thunderbolt in stoppage-time extended the unbeaten run to four matches to push Fleetwood closer to the bottom four.

How did the Sunderland players score in their performance during the 3-1 win over Fleetwood Town?

Was unlucky not to score in the closing stages. He linked up well with others in the second. 8 Clarke – Always wanted to make things happen on the left hand side. Change in shape allowed him to break things up in the second half. 6 Embleton – Provided plenty of energy in midfield. 6 Winchester – On a difficult night playing out of position, he did well to keep things tidy at the back in the second half.

It was another three points for Sunderland in Sky Bet League One last night as they defeated Fleetwood Town 3-1. The win saw the Black Cats move up to 5th ...

Patrick Roberts made his first start for Sunderland since joining in January last night and it was a rare positive on the night for the Black Cats. We won’t hide away from that, the lads know that.” Neil explained via the Sunderland Echo. If Neil wants Sunderland to secure a play-off spot and challenge for promotion to the Championship, he must ensure that Sunderland put in more performances that replicate their second half performance last night, rather than their first.

The Lads eventually managed turn things around in the second period after a dismal first half performance. Here's how Andy rated the players tonight...

His final ball needs improvement and also needs to work a bit harder off the ball but a good performance on his return to the starting line-up. Was also good to see a Sunderland talking to the referee like Stewart did in the lead up to the visitor’s red card, too often we’re not canny enough like the opposition usually are. His set pieces were not up to scratch the entire game, had plenty of opportunities in dangerous areas but his delivery was poor. Not much support from Evans in the first half but still covered a lot of ground, made one important recovery after a poor Xhemajli pass went astray. Very unlucky to be booked after winning the ball but rightfully replaced at half-time. Another game where he had very little to do.

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has responded to questions regarding his recruitment strategy at Sunderland.

“When the team is winning, the system is perceived to work. It is important that players perform with a consistency that reflects their position/value in the squad but naturally, players fluctuate in performances and availability. KS said where possible it supports the decision-making process but it is not the entirety of what we are doing, it’s a small percentage.

Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has explained at a recent meeting between the club and its supporters why the Black Cats have opted ...

“Player recruitment and player development within our strategy will be ultimately successful. However, he has bemoaned a lack of fitness amongst some members of the squad and that has led to some fans wondering why the club has seemingly, at times, looked to bring in players who might initially be short of where they need to be in terms of match fitness. Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has explained at a recent meeting between the club and its supporters why the Black Cats have opted sometimes to sign players that are perhaps not at full fitness when they join.

Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of Sunderland vs Fleetwood Town from the Stadium of Light. Sunderland head into the match on the back of a ...

Disastrous mistake from Bailey Wright. He tries to make a simple 10-yard pass to Xhemajli just outside the area to the right of goal but miskicks, presenting the ball to Harrison and he gets into the box and beats Patterson at his near post with a low shot Huge chance for Fleetwood to go back in front as Garner has a shooting chance inside the box, but Patterson is down smartly to his left to make a good save Sunderland come from behind to win, thanks to a goal from Elliot Embleton, one from returning hero Luke O'Nine, and a late stunner from Jack Clarke - his first for the club. An important win for Sunderland as they came from behind to beat Fleetwood at the Stadium of Light, thanks to goals from Elliot Embleton, Luke O'Nien, and Jack Clarke. A much-improved performance in the second half from Sunderland, and it is reflected in the ratings. Hello and welcome to our live blog coverage of Sunderland vs Fleetwood Town from the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have ten league games remaining this season as they try to finish in the top six – starting with tonight's meeting against Fleetwood.

Defoe’s effort from inside the area hit Jules and fell perfectly for O’Nien to beat Cairns with a low finish. What a hit from Clarke who cut in from the left onto his stronger right foot and smashed the ball past Cairns from the edge of the box. Second-half goals from Elliot Embleton, substitute Luke O’Nien and Jack Clarke then gave the Black Cats a vital three points.

Sunderland have another important game tonight as they face off against Fleetwood, with a win potentially propelling them into the play-off spots.

He’s been one of their most creative players since Alex Neil took over and without him pulling the strings, they will likely find it much more difficult to split open opposition defences. The forward is a handful and now that he is available for selection again, you can expect him to feature at some point in this clash. A victory here though would take their points tally to 63 and could see them overtake Wycombe in the play-off spots.

Get all of the latest Crime news from Sunderland Echo. Providing fresh perspective online for news across the UK.

They said Porter's crimes were "wicked and depraved" and that her life had been "tainted by a monster". "He has sentenced her to a lifetime of horrors and flashbacks." George Porter had led a "productive life without any criminal convictions" until he targeted the girl.

Louis-Dreyfus met with the supporters collective last week after there was widespread outrage amongst the fanbase that a year after his arrival, it was revealed ...

It was never the intention to mislead.” “PP (BLC) asked following the initial share purchase by KLD, was there an agreed price to purchase additional shares at some stage in the future. That was the message from Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to a fed-up and frustrated fanbase following the recent revelations over the breakdown of shares at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland look forward to a crucial clash against Fleetwood Town this evening, in a game where three points is much-needed for their play-off hopes.

Fleetwood Town have been something of a bogey team for the Black Cats as of late with just one win out of seven league outings against the Cod. But superstitions aside, Sunderland are favourites and will be expecting to walk away with maximum points. Sunderland are at home a lot this month and as the season draws nearer to a close it is ever-more crucial that the Wearsiders get the points needed to at least secure their top six spot. Sunderland look forward to a crucial clash against Fleetwood Town this evening, in a game where three points is much-needed for their play-off hopes.

Sunderland have not had an easy ride in terms of their ownership and on-field issues over the last few seasons and just as everything seemed like it may be…

The only thing that needs to be sorted now then is the off-field issues. They were angered by the running of the club and how they handled their business and were ultimately glad to see what they thought was the back of the Madrox group. KLD [Kyril Louis-Dreyfus] apologised to fans who felt misled and thinks he may have misjudged the sensitivity of the issue.

While Pompey make the long trip up to Crewe tonight, there are plenty of headlines circulating around League One.

The former Pompey target is joined by Will Grigg in the treatment room - with the Sunderland loanee set to be out until mid-April with a hamstring injury. With several sides eyeing his signature, Ruff could be set to follow in the footsteps of former Hornchurch team-mate Jili Buyabu who recently made the step up to the EFL by signing for Sheffield United. Last week, the former Spitfires owner revealed he would be open to a return to Eastleigh when the situation at the Stadium of Light was settled.

Sunderland are 'quietly optimistic' Alex Pritchard's injury is not as bad as first feared.

Neil told the club website: “Immediately, Alex will not be available for the short term. Pritchard went off during the goalless draw with Charlton Athletic. He is out of the visit of Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening but Alex Neil hopes it isn’t as serious as initially feared. Sunderland are ‘quietly optimistic’ Alex Pritchard’s injury is not as bad as first feared.

A pensioner was branded a "monster" as he was jailed for sickening sex offences on a child. George Porter had led a "productive life without any criminal ...

For daily news from the North East's courts direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free court newsletter Porter's victim's family attended court for the hearing and read out impact statements on behalf of the youngster. Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates

Alex Neil has named his starting XI to face Fleetwood Town at the Stadium of Light.

Former Fleetwood midfielder Jay Matete, who joined Sunderland in the January transfer window, started against his former club. Shayden Morris, Barry Baggley, and Dylan Boyle came into the side, with Callum Camps, Anthony Pilkington, and Tom Clarke making way. Ex-Manchester City man Roberts came into the side in place of Lynden Gooch, who dropped to the bench.

Three second-half goals lifted Sunderland up to fifth in Sky Bet League One as they came from behind to beat struggling Fleetwood 3-1 at the Stadium of ...

Ellis Harrison's predatory strike in the 28th minute after a poor mistake at the back from the hosts had put Fleetwood, now without a win in 10 matches, in the driving seat. And Jack Clarke's thunderbolt in stoppage-time extended the unbeaten run to four matches to push Fleetwood closer to the bottom four. Elliot Embleton levelled things up 10 minutes after half-time before substitute Luke O'Nien hit the second goal with eight minutes to go.

We won 3-1, but that doesn't tell the full story - what were the biggest positives and negatives from Sunderland's performance v Fleetwood?

When the gaffer put Luke on in the second half I like many was expecting him to sit deep and push Embo upfield, but he did the opposite, and how well did he do! I’m also hoping that the withdrawal of Arby at half time was tactical, as we don’t need another injury, though he did make a few mistakes which made it a toss up who to pull. I don’t think there’s a full back in league one who can keep up with his pace and quickness on the ball. How on earth a player of Bailey’s talent can do what he did is beyond me, and Patto wasn’t exactly shining in his attempt at saving the shot, though it was taken well. 3 very different goals but we will take any and all after the points we dropped at Charlton, which we didn’t deserve to. When we did that and Defoe was clean through it looked like he would put the seal on things, but with any luck, he’ll get another opening on Saturday and put it in. We had dominated possession in the first half but our play was meandering, whereas in the second there were a few little things that made it seem a bit more focused and bit more aggressive. Embo fluffed one in off his kneecap, Luke finished well gambling on a chance off a Defoe shot, and Clarke totally smashed it into the top bins. He has his detractors but for me he is vital - sometimes it is not about tactics or shape, sometimes it is simply energy and tempo that make a difference and we saw that on his return. I was left wishing we still had five subs, as if I had my way and we did, we would have emptied the bench twenty minutes in. For a long time it looked like this would be another dispiriting game at the SoL where the away team turn up hoping to just spoil things a fluke a goal from somewhere. Making two changes at the break didn't see us click straight away, but it at least gave Gooch and Defoe time to make an impact.

Sunderland boss Alex Neil has admitted his side's performance in last night's 3-1 win against Fleetwood Town was "extremely poor" and suggested he didn't "

Securing a 3-1 victory at home to Fleetwood Town last night, Sunderland strengthened their play-off bid after going a goal down. One notable absentee from ...

“I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as I first feared, however, there is going to be a spell where he’s not available.” “The difficulty with those types of injury is that you have to wait for the swelling to come down, and then they become a lot clearer. “He just had an element of stiffness in his hamstring, and he has been out for a long time with that so it was a concern for us.

Head Coach Stephen Crainey has named his line-up for Fleetwood Town's Sky Bet League One clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss Alex Neil during the Sky Bet League One match between Sunderland and Fleetwood Town. Sunderland head coach Alex Neil (Image: 2022 Sunderland AFC).

"I think he should hopefully be OK over the next couple of days but what I couldn't do is risk him for one [game] and lose him for eight. Nathan Broadhead made his comeback from the hamstring injury that had sidelined him since Christmas in Saturday's draw at Charlton, but he was not involved against Fleetwood with Neil revealing the on-loan Everton man was a slight injury concern and he could not afford to take any chances with him. What I had to do at half time was - and I'll be honest, I didn't even talk to the players about the first half, I just told them to forget it - I said this is how we fix it and I changed the shape. Sunderland were desperate for a win to reinvigorate their play-off challenge, and Neil says that meant he had to take a risk. "It allowed us to go 3-5-2 play with wingers or wingbacks but not to play up against their full-backs which meant they had to come searching for us, and that left space in behind for our front two. It was a gamble he acknowledged could have backfired, but instead goals from Elliot Embleton, sub Luke O'Nien, and Jack Clarke turned the game around against a Fleetwood side that played the final few minutes with ten men after Zak Jules was sent off for a second bookable offence.