BLACK CATS TRIP UP ONCE AGAIN
Coleman fears it’s out of control
CHRIS COLEMAN admits throwing away a 2-1 lead at Reading could prove fatal to Sunderland’s survival hopes.
The Black Cats battled back from going behind to a Liam Kelly penalty to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Paddy McNair and Lee Cattermole, only to concede again to a late Yann Kermorgant header.
Sunderland’s third draw in a row sees them slip back to the foot of the table, now six points adrift of safety with only three games to play.
“That’s three games running we’ve done enough to take three points and we’ve given it up,” said Coleman.
“It’s obviously critical for us at this stage of the season.
“The performance and mentality was spot-on, it’s just those fine details that we haven’t taken care of all season really. We look fragile.
“There’s three games to go and six points in it. The ball is firmly in other teams’ courts.
“But what we’ve got to do is what we’ve been doing for the last four or five games and that’s just go for it.”
The game sparked into life on 20 minutes when Sone Aluko spun in the box and fired low, but Lee Camp got down well to save. However, the goalkeeper could only spill the ball into the path of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and in his haste to retrieve possession, he tripped the Icelander.
Referee Stephen Martin pointed to the spot and up stepped Liam Kelly to rifle home from 12 yards.
Sunderland responded with Ashley Fletcher’s low shot coming back off the post and into the path of Callum McManaman, whose follow-up effort was brilliantly headed off the line by Liam Moore.
The visitors’ persistence paid off with less than two minutes into the second half. Dave Edwards lost out to McNair in the centre circle, allowing the midfielder to drive forwards and unleash a rocket from 30 yards into the top corner with Mannone rooted to the spot.
And captain Cattermole completed the comeback with his first goal since August 2014 as he ghosted into space from an inswinging McGeady free-kick to head his side 2-1 up midway through the second period. But Reading would not be denied with Chris Gunter’s deep cross from the right brilliantly headed into the bottom corner by Yann Kermorgant.
Neither side seemed happy to settle for a point during a frantic final 10 minutes with Kermorgant and Mo Barrow both guilty of squandering huge chances for the hosts while substitute Joel Asoro was denied as the game ended level.
“With the way the other results went, it was important not to lose the game,” said the Reading manager Paul Clement.
“It ends up being a good point but we’re obviously disappointed that we didn’t get all three. I think it’s a missed opportunity.
“I don’t think we played very well. I think the fighting spirit was there but we looked a little bit lethargic.
“It was an incredible finish and anything could have happened at the end. But when it’s so open like that, you’re vulnerable going back the other way.
“It’s not a good game from a manager’s point of view. You want things more in control.
“I think we have to play smarter in the next three games.”