Clough feeling chuffed
NIGEL CLOUGH was delighted with Burton’s work-rate as they ended Sunderland’s unbeaten start to the season.
Jamie Allen scored his first home goal for Burton, before Kyle Mcfadzean doubled the home side’s lead before half time.
Former Brewers goalkeeper Jon Mclauglin denied Stephen Quinn after the restart, with substitute Chris Maguire pulling one back for the visitors, but Albion held on to inflict Jack Ross’ first defeat as Sunderland boss. Clough (above) said: “I thought that was two teams going at it hammer and tongs. It wasn’t always the best quality at times, but the endeavour and everything that went into the game and the honesty shone out.
“I thought we should have won it more comfortably because of the start to the second half. In that five or six minutes after half time, we should have scored a goal or two and put the game to bed.
“If we had just finished one of those chances before that I think it would have been more comfortable for us.
“But the work-rate all over the pitch shone and having Stephen Quinn in there knits it all together.” Sunderland boss Ross said: “The first-half performance is one that if you replicate that, then you won’t win very many football matches at any level of the game.
“The second half was better without being fluent, but at least we looked as if we were interested in winning the game. First half was way below the standards that we need to be at to be successful this season, but it was my team out there today, my selection and my preparation and it falls upon my shoulders as manager to rectify that.
“It’s a real tough ask to come to any team and go two goals behind.”