Januzaj spares Moyes’ blushes
DAVID MOYES has warned Sunderland fans to prepare for a relegation fight this season – and the EFL Cup only added to worries about their team before Adnan Januzaj scored a late winner.
The former Manchester United player found space in a crowded penalty area to turn and fire high above Shrewsbury goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler in the 83rd minute.
Until then, however, the home side had struggled to break down
SUNDERLAND SHREWSBURY
League One Shrewsbury, who coped with the Premier League club with an ease that must have alarmed Moyes.
And that is because it took 41 minutes for Sunderland to produce a genuine opening, when Steven Pienaar burst towards the edge of area before firing over.
They did trouble Leutwiler three minutes later too when he saved at the feet of Patrick van Aanholt after the full-back eased on to a pass from Joel Asoro.
Ivan Toney, on loan from Sunderland’s rivals Newcastle, went closest to a first-half goal for Shrewsbury but he was still far from close to connecting with a low cross from Joe Riley.
Sunderland were tidy in midfield but woefully toothless in attack and, Shrewsbury soon started to make inroads.
They forced two quick corners and the second one saw goalkeeper Jordan Pickford make a save inside his left-hand post.
Perhaps that was the wake-up call Sunderland needed because only a brilliant save from Leutwiler prevented them going ahead in the 58th minute.
Januzaj created the chance with a cross that picked out Asoro, whose first-time shot from only 10 yards was pushed away – but the keeper could do nothing to stop Januzaj’s effort seven minutes from time.