Substitution confusion, Bannan's arrival and boss’ hidden instruction
Given how regularly Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday have played with a back three and wing-backs recently, it seemed inevitable they would do so again for the first leg of their League One playoff semi-final. Alex Neil was one step ahead, though.
The Black Cats boss set up his side in what looked more like a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lynden Gooch at right-back, and the tactical change appearedtocatchthevisitorsout at the Stadium of Light.
Ross Stewart’s goal on the strokeofhalftimegaveSunderlandaleadtheydeservedatthe interval, prompting Owls boss DarrenMooretotryandmatch thehostsupinthesecondhalf.
Wednesday brought on Josh Windass for Saido Berahino in the 56th minute and altered their system to play with abackfour,withdefenderSam Hutchinsonplayingatthebase of a midfield diamond.
The move failed to have the desired effect, with Moore quickly altering his team’s set-up again. The Wednesday boss tried to shield his message from the dugout while instructing the visitors to revert to a five, making a signal with his hand across his chest.
Here are some of the other moments you may have missed:
Barry Bannan’s dramatic arrival: Talk in the build-up was centred around Wednesday captain Barry Bannan and
whether he would be fit for the match.
The feeling was he would be able to start – and he was – yet the 32-year-old was the last Owlsplayertowalkofftheteam bus, prompting cheers from a few visiting fans who were already in place at the Stadium of Light.
Bannan wasn’t able to have theimpacthewouldhavebeen hoping for as he registered just 47 touches (according to
Whoscored.com). Seven Sunderland players completed more.
TheWednesdaycaptainremains a key player for the second leg, though.
JackClarketripped:Stewart’s goal just before half time was crucial, as the Scot was left to run through on goal by himself.
The striker showed excellent persistence to pinch the ball off Hutchinson before reacting first when goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell saved the initial effort.
Yet Stewart would have received more support if Jack Clarke hadn’t been tripped by Wednesday defender Jordan Storey near the halfway line, taking the Sunderland winger out of the attack.
It worked out well in the end and the Stadium of Light erupted when Stewart finally converted the chance.
Late substitutions: Neil left it until the 80th minute to make his first substitutions, with Jay Matete and Elliot Embleton coming on to provide fresh legs.
At that point Wednesday were applying some late pressure to try and get back on level terms, yet the hosts’ defence stood firm.
Initially it was announced that Alex Pritchard, who appeared to have little left in the
tank after recently returning from an injury setback, and Jack Clarke would be making way, yet the latter then stayed onasPatrickRobertswaswithdrawn instead.
After a moment of confusion, it was quickly resolved.
Clarkewastakenoff10minutes later as Callum Doyle was introducedinstoppage-timeto provide more defensive cover.
The Black Cats took a 1-0 leadtoHillsboroughlastnight.