Parky’s Cats are on a roll
PHIL PARKINSON felt his Sunderland side’s win over Lincoln was the perfect way to round off a successful festive period for the club.
The Black Cats scored all their goals in the first half, with Tom Flanagan heading his side into the lead before Lynden Gooch claimed two goals in the space of six minutes to effectively settle things.
Parkinson said: “I’m very pleased, we blew them away really.
“We were 3-0 up at half-time, and while I’m disappointed we didn’t add to that in the second half, credit to them, they changed their shape and caught us a little bit cold in the early stages of the second half.
“But in the end it was a comfortable victory, and I’m delighted with the return of points over the Christmas period.
“I thought we played some great stuff in the first half today.
“We were quick and slick and passed it really well.
“I was so pleased with our quality in possession.
“Inevitably there are some tired legs after this Christmas period, but you can take the sting out of the game with the ball, and I thought we did that really well in the first half in particular.
“We’re building. We can still get better, but there is momentum building in the group. It’s been an excellent Christmas period for us.
“Today was pivotal because with getting a point at Fleetwood, we needed to back that up with three today, and we were able to do that.”
Lincoln travelled to the North East on the back of impressive wins over Ipswich and Peterborough, but they failed to record a single effort on goal in the opening hour.
They eventually clawed a goal back midway through the second half. Harry Anderson out-muscled Denver Hume in the area and
SUNDERLAND drilled in a low shot that Tyler Walker turned home from close range. Boss Michael Appleton said: “We’ve shown spirit in the second half, but I’d expect that.
“When you’re 3-0 down, you can end up losing the game by five or six and that didn’t happen.
“We looked the better and stronger side in the second half, but ultimately, the game had gone then.
“I was obviously disappointed with the first half, the manner of the goals is hard to legislate for.
It’s difficult because it’s senior players making those mistakes, it’s not as though they’re young players.
“They’re senior players, very experienced players, so I hope it’s just a one-off and one of those crazy spells.”
LINCOLN