Beale blast fires up timid Black Cats
AHALF-TIME rollocking sparked a dramatic Sunderland improvement as they came from behind to beat Plymouth and climb into the top six.
Michael Beale’s side trailed at the break after Ryan Hardie’s opener for Plymouth, but Sunderland were transformed after the restart and extended their unbeaten Championship stretch to three games with three “special” goals from Pierre Ekwah, Jack Clarke and substitute Jobe Bellingham.
“We only played in one half, to be honest,” said Beale. “We had honest words at halftime, got out there early and I thought from the moment we kicked off, we were much better.
“We scored three excellent goals and we’re mixing around the goalscorers now as well. It was three special goals.”
Buoyed by their impresJust sive recent form and their first away win of the season at Swansea, Plymouth settled well and created the only meaningful chance in the early stages when Hardie forced a good save out of Anthony Patterson.
Sunderland dominated possession in the first half, but lacked invention and their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes was a speculative Clarke effort from distance that was stopped by keeper Conor Hazard.
After stifling and frustrating Sunderland for much of the first half, Plymouth caught the hosts cold on the counter to get themselves in front six minutes before the break. In-form Morgan Whittaker turned defence into attack with a brilliant pass to set Hardie away. The striker still had work to do, but kept his cool to round Patterson twice before chipping home.
Hardie almost doubled Plymouth’s lead instantly with what would have been a stunning second goal. From inside his own half, the striker spotted Patterson off his line and his audacious attempt to catch the keeper out bounced just wide.
Sunderland turned the game on its head after the break and were level seven minutes into the second half.
The Black Cats won a freekick on the edge of the area when Darko Gyabi fouled Pat Roberts and former West Ham midfielder Ekwah found the bottom corner.
seven minutes later, Sunderland were in front after Clarke’s latest moment of magic.
The winger’s 14th goal of the season was undoubtedly one of his best. There was plenty of work to be done when the former Leeds and Tottenham youngster picked up the ball on the left, but he cut inside before hitting an unstoppable drive that went in off a post.
Bellingham secured the victory for Sunderland halfway through the second half and just two minutes after coming off the bench. The teenager had barely touched the ball before setting off on a driving run into the box, cutting inside and lashing into the far corner beyond the helpless Hazard.