19/08/2024 10:15
Sunderland made it two wins from two in the EFL Championship with an impressive home victory against Sheffield Wednesday in the first home game under new boss Regis Le Bris.
The Frenchman had overseen a 2-0 win away at Cardiff on the opening weekend of the season, although a much-changed line-up then exited the EFL Cup at the first round stage after losing to Preston North End by the same score.
Buoyed by news of a new, extended contact for young midfielder Jobe Bellingham, the Bristol Street Motors-backed side were in fine form at the Stadium of Light and destroyed the visitors with an impressive first half display that wrapped up the points within the first half an hour.
It didn’t appear that that was likely in the opening skirmishes as Wednesday saw plenty of the ball but it was the home side that then grabbed the lead when Patrick Roberts curled a free-kick to the back post for Dennis Cirkin to head back across ‘keeper James Beadle and into the net.
Less than five minutes later and the lead was doubled thanks to a stunning strike from Spanish forward Eliezer Mayenda.
Josh Windass attempted to flick a ball on only for it deflect into the path of the teenager who curled in a fine shot from the edge of the box into the corner – and it got even better for a crowd of more than 40,000 with just 24 minutes on the clock.
Chris Rigg attempted a shot from the edge of the box that deflected into the air, with Luke O’Nien reacting quickest to force the ball beyond the Beadle to make it 3-0.
Wednesday had a goal chalked off for off-side before Sunderland could have gone further clear, with Patrick Roberts firing over the top with a curling effort before helping to tee up Rigg – who forced a fine save from Beadle to keep the score at three going into half time.
The wait for the fourth didn’t extend far into the second half however, with Jack Clarke set free down the left before firing over a cross that Mayenda tapped home to double up.
Sunderland’s young side weren’t seriously troubled at the back and could have extended their advantage, but six points from six and no goals conceded leaves the Black Cats sitting second in the standings.
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