SUNDERLAND OXFORD UTD CATS IN A FLAP Oxford give Ross claws for thought
JACK ROSS’S men were booed off as promotion favourites Sunderland discovered they face another tough battle to finish in the top two.
Sunderland ruined last season’s campaign by drawing 19 games – 10 at home – costing them automatic promotion.
They looked undercooked, lacking pace, running power and passing accuracy, particularly early in the game.
Ross said: “We can’t concede soft goals early. We had 34 crosses but need more quality and to be more ruthless. We lacked composure.”
The disappointment of missing out on promotion in a Wembley playoff didn’t stop the Wearside fans turning out in huge numbers for League One again, more than 33,000 hoping this would be the start of a return to the Championship.
But on 14 minutes Sunderland were caught out by a poor Conor Mclaughlin pass, that Ben Woodburn managed to pinch PAUL LAMBERT was a happy man after Ipswich won their first game in the third tier in over 60 years at Burton.
Luke Garbutt scored the game’s only goal in the 11th minute as recentlyrelegated Town began the season with a victory.
“First day of the season, it doesn’t matter if you’ve just come down, it can go any way. I’m happy,” said Lambert.
Burton manager Nigel Clough said: “There wasn’t many chances created today – two very good teams going at it.” and slide Tariqe Fosu- Henry clear where his deflected shot beat Jon Mclaughlin.
Oxford defender Rob Dickie had the ball in the net after heading in a corner but it was disallowed by referee Peter Wright for a foul.
Sunderland were back in it after half time thanks to a disputed penalty.
Josh Ruffles brought down Lynden Gooch but claimed to have got a touch. Gooch dispatched the penalty kick into the top corner.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson reckons his men were denied a SUNDERLAND OXFORD 3 .........Shots on Target .........2 1 ......... Shots off Target.........4 5 ..........Blocked Shots ......... 0 6 ................Corners ................4 11 ...................Fouls ................ 20 1 .................Offsides ................2 59 .........Possession% .........41 24 .........Total Crosses ......... 13 second goal by Wright and insisted Sunderland’s equalising penalty had not been a foul.
Robinson said sarcastically: “My wife said to me this year every time I get fined for criticising a referee, I have to pay her the same to go shopping. The ref looked fantastic.”
Burton 0 Ipswich 1 AFC Wimbledon Rotherham 2
PAUL WARNE insists there is more to come from his Rotherham side after they won their first game of the new campaign.
The Millers grabbed all three points on their return to the division thanks to Clark Robertson’s 84th-minute winner after Joe Pigott’s second-half header for the Dons had cancelled out Freddie Ladapo’s opener.
Warne said: “I am happy with the win, but I think there is more to come. I thought for the first 20 minutes we were unbelievable.”