Wembley triumph ends Cats’ 48 years of hurting
ACADEMY product Lynden Gooch’s second-half strike was enough to defeat Tran- mere Rovers and end Sunderland’s Wembley jinx as the Black Cats lifted the EFL Trophy.
The Wearsiders had not in eight visits to the national stadium - old and new - since their famous FA Cup triumph against Leeds United in 1973, including a penalty shootout defeat in the final of this competition two years ago.
However, Gooch’s goal just before the hour settled a tight final against the League Two promotion hopefuls, the only downside being the pandemic meant there were no fans at Wembley to see Max Power and his side lift the trophy.
While the EFL Trophy cannot be classed as a major honour, it nevertheless earned Sunderland their first silverware since they lifted the FA Cup 48 years ago.
It ended Salford City’s short reign as the holders after they beat Portsmouth yesterday to win the delayed 2020 edition of the final.
Grant Leadbitter returned to the starting ine-up as Lee Johnson made four enforced changes to the side which won at Pompey in midweek.
Leadbitter, making his comeback from a dislocated shoulder he suffered at the end of February, came into midfield in place of the cup-tied Carl Winchester.
Also cup-tied was Dion Sanderson and he was replaced by Tom Flanagan at the heart of defence, although he then limped off just before half-time to be replaced by Conor McLaughlin.
The other changes saw Chris Maguire and Lynden Gooch come into the side in place of Aiden O’Brien and Jordan Jones, both of whom picked up injuries at Fratton Park.
The first half was a cagey affair, with clear-cut chances few and far between.
Maguire dragged a shot across goal from the edge of the box after Tranmere gave the ball away and midway through the half Aiden McGeady beat his man on the left and crossed for Charlie Wyke at the near post - but the in-form striker was unable to make a proper connection and the opportunity went begging.
On the half-hour Maguire saw an effort from just outside the area deflect off Jay Spearing narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
From the resulting corner, Power’s downward header went wide.
At the other end, Tranmere looked a threat when they came forward and Sunderland’s defence had to work hard to keep them at bay.
A challenge by Leadbitter inside the box sent the ball looping into the air and Lee Burge did well to catch it under the bar and keep it from crossing the line as he landed.
The only on-target effort of the half came from Danny Lloyd but his weak header presented Burge with an easy save.
Sunderland had a let-off early in the second half when Khan was played in down the right and he got away from Maguire and Luke O’Nien and into the box - but his shot was pushed away by Burge.
McGeady then carved out another chance for Wyke but again he made contact but did not get enough on the ball and it ran wide of the far post, although he may have been offside in any case.
Sunderland finally made the breakthrough on 57 minutes - and it was no surprise McGeady was the architect.
His brilliant, eye-of-a-needle, throughball released Gooch in behind the defence and he raced on to it and coolly fired past the oncoming goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Tranmere went up a gear after falling behind. Spearing drove a shot goalwards and it took a flick off a teammate, but it took it wide of goal.
Substtitite Corey Blackett-Taylor embarked on a surging run into the box but his shot was straight at Burge.
Sunderland came close to doubling their lead 15 minutes from time when substitute Jack Diamond’s cross found O’Nien and his looping header was turned on to the bar and over by goalkeeper Scott Davies.
There were chances to put the game to bed in the final minutes but Sunderland could not kill off Tranmere which meant they had to keep their concentration in defence - but they held out to claim the trophy.