Hitman Roberts a Royal pain as Cats close in on top six
READING must hate the sight of Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts.
The 26-year-old has only scored four goals this season – and three have been against the Royals.
After bagging a double at the Madejski Stadium in September, he pounced in the 84th minute to earn the Black Cats the win their second-half pressure deserved.
But it was a nightmare goal to concede for Baba Rahman whose error allowed Roberts to dance his way through and find the net from close range.
Reading boss Paul Ince said: “He Is devastated but it’s difficult to console him right now.
“We had a lot of defending to do but it wasn’t a game we looked like losing until that killer punch late on.”
The first half had been a non-event but the Black Cats were transformed after the restart and in the 49th minute Joe Gelhardt latched on to Edouard Michut’s through ball only to drag his left-foot shot wide of the far post.
Sunderland had finally woken up and pounded away at the Royals’ goal for the rest of the game.
Five minutes later, Aji Alese brilliantly brought the ball down inside the box before lifting his shot over the bar.
Full-back Trai Hume had
Roberts 84 READING
........... 1 ................ 0 a glorious chance to break the deadlock on 61 minutes.
Played in by Roberts, he opened up his body before pulling the trigger but Joe Lumley made a fine save.
And four minutes later the keeper parried Roberts’ shot with Alese unable to force home the loose ball.
Then Lumley flapped at a cross and MIchut, from the edge of the area, volleyed inches off target.
The visitors’ goal had become a shooting gallery and Roberts was the next to go close with a rasping 20-yard drive.
His persistence finally paid off with the matchwinner which takes Sunderland to within a point of the top six.
“I thought we were a bit dull, especially in the first half but we found a way to win,” said Black Cats chief Tony Mowbray.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson 6; Hume 6, Ballard 6, Batth, Alese 7, Neil 6 (O’Nien (75) 6), Michut 7 (Ba (81) 5); Roberts 7, Amad 6 (Pritchard (65) 6), Clarke 6 (Bennette (81) 5); Gelhardt 6 (Lihadji (75) 6)
READING: Lumley 6; Hoilett 6 (Dann (78) 6), Mbenque 5, McIntyre 6 (Fornah (87) 5); Yiadom 6, Hendrick 6, Sarr 6, Baba 5 (Azeez (87) 5); Ince 6, Long 6 (Meite (77) 5); Carroll 6
STAR MAN: Patrick Roberts – Always looked like being the likeliest match-winner.
REF: David Coote 6