Sunderland Strengthen Early Title Challenge

29/10/2024 11:00 Share

Sunderland’s early challenge for the EFL Championship title continues to gather pace after three successive victories followed the first international break of the season.

The Bristol Street Motors-backed side had gone into the break on the back of a 2-2 draw at home to Leeds United thanks to a dramatic injury time equaliser, and returned to action with a trip to Hull City.

The Black Cats had slipped to second in the table ahead of the game following victory for Burnley a day earlier and, after a quiet start to the match, had to weather the storm in the early stages of the second half as Hull looked to grab the lead – with Chris Bedia smashing a shot against the woodwork.

However, the visitors then hit the front when Wilson Isidor led a quick counter-attack following a Hull corner and surged forwards from his own half to fire what proved to the winner beyond 'keeper Ivor Pandur.

From there, Sunderland headed to Kenilworth Road to face a Luton Town side still trying to find its feet after relegation from the Premier League.

The visitors hit the front early in the second half when teenager Chris Rigg continued his solid start to the campaign with the opening goal but Luton – who had earlier had a goal chalked off – came back to equalise within ten minutes thanks to Elijah Adebayo when he headed in from close range.

The scores would be level for just three minutes however as Romaine Mundle picked up the ball on the left hand side, cut in field, and fired a curling shot into the far corner – with Luton failing to fashion an equaliser despite having chances before the finish.

That result allowed Sunderland to remain on top of the standings ahead of the return to the Stadium of Light for the visit of Oxford United.

The newly-promoted side would prove to be no match for the Black Cats as a first half header from Jobe Bellingham and a fine volley from Isidor made it three straight wins for Regis Le Bris and his side.

Nine points from a busy week on the pitch means Sunderland now sit five points clear at the top ahead of the trip to London this weekend to face Queens Park Rangers.