Sunderland Go Top With Home Win

Sunderland Go Top With Home Win

Having missed out on the chance to go top of the EFL Championship against Watford, Sunderland made amends with a home win against Derby County lifting the Black Cats to the head of the table.

The Bristol Street Motors-backed side went into the game sitting second behind West Brom, whilst opponents Derby were bidding to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.

Derby had early chances to hit the front but Sunderland then grew into the game, with Romain Mundle in particular causing issues down the left-hand side.

His trickery on the wing helped to set up a headed chance for Jobe Bellingham that went past the post, before Mundle himself curled an effort just wide after being played in by youngster Chris Rigg.

Sunderland hit the front shortly before the break, and in emphatic fashion, when Bellingham picked up a loose ball, drove forwards and unleashed an unstoppable shot that flew beyond Jacob Zetterstrom and into the net.

Tawanda Chirewa tested Anthony Patterson in the home goal before half-time but Sunderland were able to hold onto the lead and then moved further clear ten miunutes into the second half.

Mundle was again involved as he attacked the Derby defence down the left and delivered a teasing cross into the middle3 that was tapped home from close range by Wilson Isidor.

Derby should have got back into the game but Patterson was able to keep out a close range effort from Eiran Cashin following a scramble in the box, with the 2-0 win moving Sunderland to the top of the table after rivals Middlesbrough emerged from their trip to West Brom with all three points.

Next up for Sunderland is the visit of Leeds United to the Stadium of Light on Friday night.

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