Purring Cats looking good for promotion
SUNDERLAND’S margin of victory against Crewe was as tight as can be but the performance - and the stats - told a different story.
This was a comprehensive 1-0 win, if there is such a thing.
Sunderland could and should have run out comfortable victors, a three-nil or four-nil scoreline would not have flattered them - and the only thing which let them down was their finishing.
Lynden Gooch, Bailey Wright, Max Power, Chris Maguire and Charlie Wyke, all passed up good opportunities, the best of them seeing Gooch denied by a fine block from Will Jaaskelainen - while from a free-kick Wright headed into the turf and over from just three yards out.
So Luke Offord’s own goal - and it was an own goal, no matter how much Wyke might want to claim it - was all that separated the sides at full-time, at least on the surface.
Yet this was one of those games where the scoreline did not do the winners justice.
Phil Parkinson’s side was in near-total control against a decent Crewe team who, to give them their due, came to the Stadium of Light prepared to have a go.
However, with Grant Leadbitter again superb in central midfield, Sunderland were the dominant force.
Wyke’s newfound confidence saw him lead the line brilliantly and the Black Cats made light of yet another enforced defensive reshuffle to keep their fifth successive clean sheet.
Not only did they prevent Crewe from scoring but they restricted them to just a single shot on target.
At the other end, Sunderland managed seven shots on target and will wonder how they did not convert any of them into goals.
Even the corner count was 10-2 in the Wearsiders’ favour, testament to the fact they laid siege to the Crewe goal for long periods.
Afterwards, Crewe manager David Artell said: “Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say you have been beaten by the better side.
“Sunderland are the best team we have faced this season by a distance.”
Given Crewe have already faced sides including current League One leaders Hull City, Charlton
Athletic, and high-flying Lincoln City (the latter in the EFL Cup), it was praise indeed.
The Black Cats remain fifth but Ipswich Town’s heavy defeat at Doncaster last night means the gap between Sunderland and the automatic promotion places now stands at just two points - and the Wearsiders still have a game in hand of all the sides above them.
Ipswich’s defeat also means Sunderland are now the only team in League One still unbeaten.
Then of course there is that defensive record. Five clean sheets in six league outings is an excellent return by any standard.
Saturday’s home game against Portsmouth promises a more rigorous examination of Sunderland’s promotion credentials.
However, on the evidence of the first six games, they will be genuine contenders.