Max factor leaves sloppy Black Cats paying high price
O’leary saves the day for Robins
BOSS Liam Manning hailed a brilliant display by goalkeeper Max O’leary after his Bristol City side had defended for their lives to overcome impressive Sunderland.
Tommy Conway’s low 20th-minute penalty after Taylor Gardner-hickman was tripped by visiting keeper Anthony Patterson proved enough to settle a high-tempo game.
Sunderland, who look set to appoint former Rangers and QPR boss Michael Beale as their new manager, dominated for long periods of the second half.
But they could find no way past the inspired O’leary, who made brilliant diving saves to keep out two Luke O’nien headers and one from substitute Jobe Bellingham.
Manning said: “I’ve aged ten years watching that!
“Max O’leary was outstanding, not just with his saves but the composure he showed under pressure.
“I’m delighted for the lads because of the togetherness and spirit they showed.
“We have played better, but despite defending for long periods we were always a threat and had chances to extend the lead.”
Sunderland were caught playing out from the back for the penalty, which Conway converted coolly by sending Patterson the wrong way.
Interim coach Mike Dodds was understandably frustrated. “My anger is mainly about a mad 15 minutes in the first half when we invited Bristol City to take the lead,” he
said.
“Apart from the penalty incident, there were three or four other lapses that went unpunished and it gave them impetus. “If I had seen that sort of sloppiness in training, the players concerned wouldn’t have been in the team.
“We completely controlled the second half and created chances without taking them.
“I can live with that, but what happened in the first half was unacceptable.” BRISTOL CITY: O’leary 9; Tanner 7, Vyner 7, Dickie 7, Pring 7; Sykes 6 (Bell 80) 6), James 7 (Williams (70) 6), Gardner-hickman 6; Mehmeti 6 (Williams (70) 6); Knight 7, Conway 7 (Cornick (77) 6) SUNDERLAND: Patterson 7; Huggins 6 (Mayenda (87) 7), O’nien 7, Ballard 7, Hume 7; Ekwah 8 (Dack (80) 7), Neil 7; Roberts 7, Pritchard 7 (Aouchiche (80) 6), Ba 6 (Bellingham (63) 6); Clarke 6 STAR MAN: Max O’leary – The Bristol City keeper made important saves. REF: Stephen Martin 6