Unsung heroes shine again - but the plaudits will go Maguire’s way

Sunderland 3 Southend 0

ANOTHER game, another win for a Sunderland team which is starting to move up through the gears.

The 3-0 win at home to Southend United was not as sparkling as the victory over Scunthorpe United – the benchmark so far this season – but there are plenty of reasons to feel excited about how Jack Ross’ team is performing.

Yet again there is more in the tank - but the way the side is relentlessly churning out results has the feel of a team which is heading in the right direction for the Championship.

Titles and promotions are not won in October but there has been a real shift in momentum in October.

It was not a demolition job of a victory, though it rarely felt in doubt once George Honeyman found the net, but five straight wins in all competitions is the form of a team which means business.

The gap to the automatic places may be unchanged but the distance to Aiden McGeady scores the third Sunderland goal leaders Portsmouth is narrowing. It would be no surprise if Sunderland were the Christmas No.1s.

1. Under-rated pair strike again

Lynden Gooch provided his seventh assist of the season for George Honeyman to open the first-half scoring and the American has been an important part of Sunderland’s attacking football this season.

Honeyman continues to divide terrace opinion and in Sunderland’s highly-competitive central midfield it is hard to argue he deserves to be guaranteed a place.

He has shown the versatility to perform a variety of different roles and always brings energy to the team. His glancing header just inside the far post was a clever bit of work and broke the deadlock at the Stadium of Light.

Honeyman dropped back into an Chris Maguire celebrates scoring the orthodox central midfield role for much of the second half as Sunderland switched from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2.

2. Another goal of the month contender

Chris Maguire enjoyed being given League One’s goal of the month award earlier in the week - because he staked a claim here for the October prize too.

Aiden McGeady was stripped on the