SUNDERLAND WAKE UP BUT IT’S TOO LATE
MOTM NATHANIEL MENDEZ-LAING (CARDIFF) A RELEGATION wake turned into Sunderland’s most enjoyable match of the season.
Wolves missed out on a century of points as the basement club became the only side in the Championship to avoid defeat by the runaway champions.
There was defiance from Sunderland on the pitch, where they were full of zest.
And defiance off it too, with a noisy crowd already embracing their future in League One and hopefully witnessing more home wins than their three this season.
Many assets, like Paddy McNair (top, left), are likely to be sold.
Having flopped miserably at home for several seasons, Sunderland turned on the style.
It was their biggest home win for 17 months, watched by prospective new owner Stewart Donald.
Caretaker boss Robbie Stockdale said: “Why have we gone down? We have not been good enough all season.
“But with a new owner, emergence of young players, the right investment and characters coming in to the building, this club will bounce back.”
Stockdale gave six Academy products a game, including 16-year-old Bali Mumba. The freshness showed.
Mumba came on for veteran John O’Shea, probably making his final appearance for the club.
Ovie Ejaria, on loan from Liverpool, grabbed his first senior goal with a neat finish.
Striker Ashley Fletcher smashed home Sunderland’s second just before half-time.
McNair grabbed the third, jinking past two Wolves defenders.