DANNY’S BUOYED
Sub keeps Cats in mix
DAN NEIL recovered from being banished to the subs bench by snatching a late winner to keep Sunderland in the play-off mix.
Alex Neil’s Black Cats were struggling to see off basement club Crewe until Neil struck.
The England Under-20 midfielder, reared in the Sunderland academy that produced Jordan Henderson, pinged home from 18 yards.
The sub changed the game 25 minutes after coming on, sprinting to claim a lay-off by Ross Stewart, and guiding in a sweet finish for his season’s third.
It was Sunderland’s third clean sheet in four league games and they are unbeaten in five.
And the return of Neil to sprightly form was welcomed by
his boss, who said: “Dan showed me everything about why people have spoken of him so highly and I had not seen that so far. His passing and intent were excellent.
“Dan played the first two games when I came in and I thought this kid needs a rest.
“We used him sparingly to protect him. Dan looks refreshed and had a good impact.
“People were asking, ‘Why is Dan not playing?’ He wasn’t because he was knackered.”
It was a scrappy game, and the home side only tore Crewe apart in the last five minutes.
Sub Patrick Roberts made it two in the 89th minute, exchanging passes with Jack Clarke to fire home from 12 yards.
Coach Neil added: “We were dominant for most of the game with a progressive attacking approach. But they sat deep and narrow. The subs made a big
impact – both Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts. That is why we have a squad.
“Whether we win in the 89th minute or the first minute, the job is to win. We can be better in possession but won 2-0 and deservedly so.
“Every team will come here and try to frustrate us.”
In support for the people of Ukraine, Sunderland played in their yellow and blue away kit.
The shirts will now be signed and auctioned with the proceeds going to the British Red Cross relief effort.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson 6, Winchester 6, Wright 6, Cirkin 6; Gooch 5 (Dajaku 58, 6), O’nien 5 (Neil 58, 7), Evans 6, Matete 7, Clarke 7; Defoe 5 (Roberts 64, 7), Stewart 7.
Subs not used: Doyle, Embleton, Hume, Hoffman.
CREWE: Richards 6, Offord 6, O’riordan 6, Johnson 6; Williams 6, Harper 5 (Sambou 75), Griffiths 5, Lowry 5, Lundstram 5; Ainley 5 (Finney 80), Long 5
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Porter, Murphy, Onyeka, Salisbury.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Neil Punchy. Impact from the bench.
REFEREE: Neil Hair 7.