Cats keeping it clean and fans’ nerves jangling but it’s all good
Sunderland 2 Plymouth 0
IT was nervier than it ought to have been, but Sunderland keep rolling on.
Their first-half football in particular was better than the 1-0 scoreline suggested but they look more solid and more confident than they did only a week and a half ago and with three minutes to go, the second goal they deserved was forthcoming.
Another clean sheet and another win were much needed, with Barnsley having raised the bar by overcoming a red card to win the televised game at Southend United 3-0.
There was much to be pleased with and a little bit to be frustrated about, but the big picture is that Sunderland are in good health heading into a cup semi-final and an important part of the League One automatic promotion race.
Sunderland’s failure to cash in makes life uncomfortable
The Black Cats were excellent in the first half but their failure to make it pay caused them unnecessary anxiety in the second until George Honeyman volleyed in with three minutes to go to finally put the result beyond doubt.
The home side had all the possession in the opening quarter of the game, yet the only save was Jon Mclaughlin’s from Freddie Ladapo’s shot.
Once Sunderland tested Kyle Letheren they got a taste for it, and it looked like Lee Cattermole’s fifth goal of the season would be quickly followed up, but it was not the case.
Inevitably, at half-time you wondered if they might be made to pay for their charity and the thought probably occurred in the away dressing room too because Plymouth were better for their break, and clearly took encouragement the longer the deficit remained at one goal.
They even had a penalty appeal after 59 minutes – albeit an optimistic-looking one – when Tom Flanagan threw himself in the way of a Gary Sawyer shot, and Mclaughlin had to save well from Yann Sanogo’s curling effort but the Black Cats were able to weather the storm for consecutive clean sheets.
Very gut Morgan
It’s amazing the difference playing a right-winger on the right wing can make, and Lewis Morgan showed why it should be him, rather than Lynden Gooch, who should get the nod there on a regular basis.
After a impressive debut at home to Wimbledon, the Scot had faded somewhat until coming off the bench at Bristol Rovers a week ago, and he continued that form against Plymouth Argyle.
Morgan’s delivery was not always as accurate as he would want, but he was always a good outlet for his side.
The on-loan Celtic winger created Cattermole’s opening goal and played a fantastic through-ball for Aiden Mcgeady at the end of the first half.
Surprisingly, Mcgeady’s first touch let him down slightly, narrowing the angle to allow Letheren to save.
It was a surprise when Morgan came off after 67 minutes as he did not seem to be tiring or his effectiveness dropping but it was a tactical change as the Black Cats went from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 with the introduction of Duncan Watmore – and central midfielder George Honeyman went back out on to the wing again.
Will Grigg still not quite there
A number of good balls, and even a ropey backpass by Ruben Lameiras almost found their way through to Will Grigg but when he was finally picked out, he failed to take his chance.
Reece James’ 75th-minute cross was excellent but Grigg steered his header the wrong side of the post.
It was the sort of chance a confident and sharp Grigg would have buried