Sunderland revive automatic promotion hopes
Sunderland 1 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday
Sunderland reignited automatic promotion chances with a crucial win at Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to a brace from Eliezer Mayenda.
After back-to-back defeats against Leeds United and Hull City, the Black Cats desperately needed three points. They took the lead in controversial fashion during the first half, as Mayenda appeared to control the ball with his arm before slotting home.
Wednesday hit back early in the second half through Callum Paterson’s header, but 19-year-old Spanish forward Mayenda, starting in place of top scorer Wilson Isidor, nodded in the winner to secure a vital victory.
Sunderland remain fourth in the Championship, five points behind second-placed Sheffield United, though they have played a game more.
For Sheffield Wednesday, it was a third consecutive defeat, leaving them 13th in the table, six points adrift of the play-off spots. Their hopes of breaking into the top six are now fading fast.
Sunderland restart their promotion bid
The recent losses to Leeds and Hull had taken their toll on Sunderland, prompting boss Regis Le Bris to make five changes to his starting XI. Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard were sidelined through injury, while Isidor and teenage midfielder Chris Rigg dropped to the bench.
Wednesday, also struggling for form after three defeats in four, made a lively start. Sunderland defender Leo Hjelde was perhaps fortunate to escape punishment after appearing to handle Svante Ingelsson’s long throw inside the box.
The hosts had an early chance to take the lead, but Josh Windass blazed over from eight yards—his goal drought continuing since his stunning strike from inside his own half on New Year’s Day. Paterson then went close, glancing a header off the crossbar.
But after failing to make their pressure count, Wednesday were made to pay. Hjelde launched a long ball forward, which Max Lowe misjudged, allowing Mayenda to control, controversially using his forearm, before scuffing his shot past James Beadle.
To compound matters for Wednesday, Lowe injured himself attempting a recovery tackle and had to be substituted.
Signs of a new Sunderland?
Sunderland have struggled to hold onto leads this season, dropping 18 points from winning positions, and this time their advantage lasted just three minutes.
Chris Mepham was caught in possession cheaply, allowing Wednesday to pounce. Ingelsson’s chipped cross was met by Paterson, who nodded in his 50th goal in English football. However, his night ended soon after as he was forced off with an injury.
The Owls nearly turned the game on its head moments later, but Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson produced a superb save to deny Ingelsson.
Then came Mayenda’s decisive moment. Trai Hume played a sublime ball over the top, and the young forward powered home a header to justify Le Bris’ decision to start him. It was Mayenda’s sixth goal of the season—and his second brace against Wednesday, having netted twice in a 4-0 win at the Stadium of Light back in August.
Unlike in previous games, Sunderland held on to their lead and will now look to close the gap on the automatic promotion spots when they host Cardiff City on Saturday, 8 March.
They remain five points behind Sheffield United, with Burnley sitting between the two, three points ahead of the Black Cats. Both Sheffield United and Burnley will play before Sunderland take to the pitch again.
As for Wednesday, their play-off hopes have taken another hit. Darren Moore’s side have now lost all seven matches against the Championship’s top four this season, and their poor home form has all but stalled their momentum.
