A mixed day for ex-Cat Flanagan missed moments against Shrews
Surely it couldn’t happen again, could it?
That must have been the thought going through many supporters’ minds as Sunderland headed into five minutes of stoppage time against Shrewsbury Town at the Stadium of Light on Friday.
In truth it shouldn’t have gottothisstage,aftertheBlack Cats had squandered a commanding two-goal lead in the second half.
As against Gillingham and Oxford United, the team were left chasing a winner heading into the final minute of the match, and – for the third successive fixture – it came.
Nathan Broadhead’s glancing header marked another last-gasp twist which significantly boosted Sunderland’s play-off hopes. Late goals are becoming something of a theme under Alex Neil.
In the Scot’s 11 games in charge, Sunderland have scoredaremarkableninegoals after the 82nd minute.
Those late interventions have earned the side an additional 11 points in the race for a play-off place. That’s some difference.
Butherearesomeofthemoments you may have missed…
Tom Flanagan’s involvement
Chris Maguire, Connor Wickham, Declan John – now you can add Tom Flanagan to the list of former Sunderland players who have scored against the Black Cats this season.
To be fair to Flanagan, his celebration following his first goal for Shrewsbury was reserved, after drawing the visitors level with a volley in the 58th minute.
Yetthecentraldefenderwill have been disappointed with the manner of Sunderland’s winner, with Broadhead evading his full attention.
When Jack Clarke crossed theballfromtheleft,Flanagan was the closest Shrewsbury player to Broadhead, and tried topasshismanontosubstitute Aaron Pierre.
The call came too late, though, as Broadhead slipped in between the pair to glance theballpastgoalkeeperMarko Marosi.Potentiallyanotherbig moment in Sunderland’s season.
Alex Neil’s reaction
AfterBroadheadscoredthe winner against Gillingham a fortnight ago, Neil was quick to celebrate with his staff on the touchline.
There was a different reaction here, though, as the Sunderland boss kept his arms folded and showed little emotion as Broadhead netted another crucial goal.
After a brief exchange with hisbackroomteam,Neilcalled for his players to get back into their shape once celebrations had died down.
TheSunderlandbossclearly wasn’t impressed with the way his side conceded a twogoal lead. ”It’s the first time we’vebeenbeatenup,”saidNeil afterthematch.”Andthat’sthe worst thing for me, watching my team be beaten up.”
Bailey Wright blocked
While Sunderland started the second half poorly and allowed Shrewsbury back into the game, there were some complaints about the visitors’ first goal. Shrews midfielder Josh Vela had plenty of space toside-foottheballhomefrom inside the area, with Sunderlandcentre-backBaileyWright out of the game.
That was because Wright had tangled with Shrewsbury forward Ryan Bowman as the visitors broke forward.
As a result, Elliot Embleton wasforcedtodropfurtherinto hisownbox,meaningVelawas freetoconvert.Wrightprotested to the referee following his collision with Bowman, yet it didn’t alter the outcome.