Sunderland’s woes continue as Brentford triumph on Wearside - 7M sport

Sunderland’s woes continue as Brentford triumph on Wearside



Posted Sunday, February 18, 2018 by PA

Sunderland’s woes continue as Brentford triumph on Wearside

Sunderland passed up the chance to boost their Sky Bet Championship survival hopes as Brentford won 2-0 on their first ever visit to the Stadium of Light.

The Bees secured the three points courtesy of two first-half goals and a solid opening 45 minutes, leaving the struggling Black Cats with a mountain to climb after the interval.

Brentford capitalised on Sunderland’s woeful start by following up Kamo Mokotjo’s 14th-minute opener with a second goal in the 28th minute through striker Neal Maupay.

The latest defeat for Sunderland – who have won just two of their last 26 matches on Wearside – left Chris Coleman’s side three points adrift of safety, having played a game more than fourth-bottom Hull.

Brentford had lost touch with the play-off places in recent weeks, winning just two of their previous seven matches and losing four of those, but this win will have restored hope.

Manager Dean Smith’s frustrations had grown, although nothing like what has been felt on Wearside this season, and Sunderland manager Coleman was desperate to see a positive performance on the back of last weekend’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Bristol City.

The Welshman introduced Aiden McGeady and Ethan Robson to his starting line-up and switched to a four-man defence.

The tactics failed to have the desired effect because, for the second week in a row, Sunderland had it all to do after the break.

The visitors were on the front foot from the first whistle, forcing four corners in as many minutes in the hope of increasing the tension among the home fans. It worked.

Ollie Watkins and Henrik Dalsgaard had already been denied by goalkeeper Lee Camp, the second a fantastic chance that was directed straight at him, before the opener arrived.

Maupay held the ball up, spotted Mokotjo lurking in space and the midfielder’s low driven first-time shot from 20 yards rolled inside Camp’s bottom-left corner.

Republic of Ireland international McGeady had an effort held by David Bentley, but Sunderland disappointed across the pitch.

Maupay was the scorer of the second when he cleverly flicked a Watkins low delivery from the right inside Camp’s near post. Brentford found far too much space in the Sunderland half throughout.

The hosts did have a couple of moments before the break. George Honeyman hit the crossbar on the stroke of half-time and Joel Asoro was thwarted by Bentley earlier on.

Sunderland introduced Jonny Williams and Adam Matthews after the break and, within a few minutes they almost pulled one back. Asoro’s run and pass ended with McGeady directing an effort wide from eight
yards.

That was about as close as the home team went, despite a few further half-chances. Brentford had a few more attempts to extend their lead too, with Romaine Sawyers seeing a shot deflect just wide.

Brentford never really looked like losing their advantage, and Sunderland’s misery continued.

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