Sunderland Retain Top Spot Despite Draw

04/11/2024 13:56 Share

Sunderland remain on top of the EFL Championship despite having to settle for a point from the trip to London to face QPR.

The Bristol Street Motors-backed side had scored three successive wins to open up a slender lead at the top, whilst strugglers QPR were bidding to try and build on a promising draw a week earlier against Burnley – where they picked up a first clean sheet of the season.

QPR had a great chance to grab the lead in the first half when Zan Celar was found in the middle of the box by Paul Smyth, but somehow got the ball mixed in between his feet and saw his effort trickle wide of the post.

Wilson Isidor then clipped a shot just wide for the visitors before Dan Neil smashed a half-volley from the edge of the box against the post.

The scores remained level at half-time, but Sunderland were on the back foot just before the hour mark when Jobe Bellingham was dismissed by referee Ben Toner for a challenge on Celar.

QPR had chances to win it from that point, not least when Jimmy Dunne planted a head straight into the hands of Simon Moore late on.

Next up for the Black Cats is a tie with Preston North End on Wednesday.