No better feeling than scoring the winner – Gooch
LYNDEN REFLECTS ON HIS STUNNING GOAL, TACTICAL SWITCH AND ‘AMAZING’ AFTERNOON THINGS WE LEARNED...
In and out of the side during a turbulent two years, Lynden Gooch looks ready to lead from the front in Sunderland’s bold new era.
Arguably the best performer in pre-season, he picked up where he left off on Saturday, a menace throughout and sealing the win with a stunning last minute header.
The 22-year-old reflected on an ‘amazing’ moment and senses the optimism building at the club.
“It was amazing. It’s what everyone dreams of,” he said.
“That’s what you play for, a last-minute winner. No matter what it’s the best feeling.
“It’s the first time it’s ever happened to me and I’m glad it happened on Saturday, at home.
“A comeback win, I don’t even remember the last time we’ve had that. We’ve just got to take that confidence and belief in ourselves that if we do go a goal down, so be it. Just keep playing.
“Everyone gave everything. I was the lucky one to get the last-minute winner but everyone to a man put in a shift. I think that showed the character of the team. In previous years we might have crumbled. We didn’t.
“As soon as they scored you heard the roar of the fans, they really got behind us. We just needed to stay patient, just keep plugging away like the gaffer said and trying to create chances and that’s what we did. We kept to the gameplan.
“There’s been a lot of changes and I think you could feel the sense of optimism around the place with all the fans coming back,” he added.
“Thirty thousand is amazing but we all know they’re Premier League fans in a Premier League stadium and the rest of it so we need to make sure that we don’t get ahead of ourselves, but we just keep going, take it into the next game.”
Despite being one of the smaller players in the squad it was Gooch’s second headed goal in recent times, scoring at Grimsby Town in pre-season.
The youngster has made goal contributions a big target for the season and despite being pushed to wing-back as part of a halftime reshuffle, he had every confidence he could make the difference.
He said: “I don’t know, maybe I’m just attacking the ball better, getting to the back stick. I want to score as many goals as I can and that’s a big part that I’m trying to change, I’m trying to attack the ball.
“I’m not a big lad but I know if I attack things I’m strong and as long as I get there they’ll hopefully fly in.
“Wing-back, that was a first for me! I was basically playing as a winger, really. Their left-back got booked early on so he couldn’t afford to foul me and I just had to keep pushing him back to his own goal rather than him pushing me back.
“It’s definitely something new but you know what? I’ll take the goal. I’ll play wingback every week if I’m scoring headers.”
Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer admit it “hurt” to lose to Sunderland in the final minute.
The visitors were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, former Sunderland target Lyle Taylor scoring from the penalty spot in the ninth minute after Chris Maguire had bundled over Karlan Grant.
Bowyer’s side had further chances to extend their lead at the Stadium of Light before Sunderland fought their way back into the game, Jack Ross switching systems from a 4-3-3 to a 3-52 at half-time, it proved key to the second half revival.
Josh Maja scored with a fine, low finish with 65 minutes on the clock before Lynden Gooch scored a superb header six minutes into added-on time to snatch the win at the death.
A dejected Bowyer said: “It always hurts to concede that late on. The lads gave me everything, they didn’t deserve to lose that and come away with nothing. A draw was probably a fair result.” 1 Has Hull City loan target Lee Cattermole played his final game for the club? Jack Ross put Cattermole’s absence from the Sunderland matchday squad down to tactical reasons. If Cattermole can’t get a game in the opening game of the season against Charlton Athletic, who had experienced campaigner Darren Pratley in their midfield, then it doesn’t bode well for Cattermole. Instead, Ross went with 16-year-old Bali Mumba and new signing Luke O’Nien in central midfield. Youngster Elliot Embleton on the bench. 2 There was a real buzz about the city before, during and after the game. Two hours before kick-off there was a lot of supporters already at the ground, sampling the pre-match atmosphere and FanZone, with owner Stewart Donald and new director Juan Sartori enjoying a kick-about with fans. There were ticketing issues for a large section of supporters before kick-off but the atmosphere once the game got going was incredible. The official attendance was 31,079, truly stunning support. 3 Bali Mumba did not look out of place. Jack Ross handed the 16-year-old his first start for the club and the teenager can be proud of his performance. Charlton were better all over the pitch in the first half but Mumba played an important role in the second half comeback, alongside his more experienced teammates. He also showed bravery when, on the rare occasion, he did lose the ball, trying to win it back quickly and was always available for a pass. Mumba is a talent. 4 Awful first half shows there is still work to be done. Sunderland were second best all over the pitch in the opening 45 minutes, the central defence pairing of Alim Ozturk and Glenn Loovens pedestrian, struggling against the pacy Charlton attack. Josh Maja was isolated and the service to him was poor. The second half was a transformation, thanks to Ross’ tactical switch to wingbacks and the introduction of Jerome Sinclair. Plenty of positives for Sunderland but still much work to be done. 5 Decision to close the Premier Concourse is justified. Sunderland were backed by 31,079 fans against Charlton, with the lower bowl of the Stadium of Light creating a cauldron of noise. The atmosphere was one of the best witnessed in years, the noise created when Lynden Gooch powered home the header phenomenal. It justified the decision of the previous regime to close the Premier Concourse for this season in a bid to boost the atmosphere. Many more days like Saturday and the new owners will soon have to reopen it to cope with demand. 6 Lynden Gooch shows the desire Sunderland will need this season. With 90+6 minutes on the clock, Sunderland won a corner. Chris Maguire - contender for man of the match - delivered the ball low to Gooch outside the area. He miscontrolled the ball. Groans in the stands. Gooch doesn’t give up though, with Bryan Oviedo picking the ball up wide left, Gooch made a run to the back post and powered home a superb header. The academy product showed great desire to get on the end of the delivery and secure all three points.