Gayle force does for Cats as Neil proves his point
ALEX NEIL claimed he has been “painted as the villain” for quitting Sunderland after Stoke smashed his former club with five goals.
Ex-Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle heaped misery on Tony Mowbray with a two-goal blast as Neil returned from Wearside victorious.
He managed the Blacks Cats to promotion via the play-offs in May before quitting for Stoke in August.
The Potters turned on the style with four second-half goals, a double also for Tyrese Campbell, as Sunderland fell apart.
There was also a brilliant hat-trick of assists by Will Smallbone.
Neil said: “I loved it when I was here. I have only good things to say about the club.
“What has been frustrating is I have been painted as the villain.
“And some negative and untrue things have been said about me.
“The only reason I enjoyed winning was because of the people who think I am the bad guy.
“Why leave? I don’t want to get into that. I have a duty not to divulge certain bits of information.
“I ain’t leaving anywhere without putting a lot of thought into it.
“Anyone saying it was on a whim, come on.”
Former Magpie Gayle got the last two goals, one from
Gayle makes it 4-1 close range and the other a brilliant header.
He celebrated the first in front of the Wearside corner with the old “Sunderland’s going down, Newcastle’s going up” dance from his St James’ Park days.
That prompted a pause in the game, with the stadium announcer asking for no missiles to be thrown on to the pitch.
Campbell produced a far-post finish after Smallbone was sent in on goal, before curling a lovely shot past Anthony Patterson.
Smallbone also crossed for Josh Laurent to smash home the first in the 41st minute.
Alex Pritchard pulled one back for the Black Cats.
Boss Tony Mowbray said: “It was hard to take for the team and supporters. Difficult to foresee it.”
SUNDERLAND: Patterson 4, Hume 3, Batth 3, Ballard 3, Alese 3 (O’Nein (45) 3); Pritchard 6, Neil 5; Roberts 4, Diallo 4, Clarke 4; Gelhardt 3 (Michut (45) 3)
STOKE: Sarkic 6 (Bonham (45) 6), Hoever 7, Wilmot 6 (Fox (26) 6), Jagielka 7, Sterling 7; Pearson (Thompson (66) 6), Laurent 7(Baker (81) 6); Brown 7, Smallbone 9, Campbell 8 (Tymon (81) 6); Gayle 8
STAR MAN: Will Smallbone – A superb display and three assists from the all-action midfielder.
REF: Jeremy Simpson 6