Mixed Fortunes For Sunderland
Sunderland endured mixed fortunes across the Easter Weekend after two vastly contrasting results for the Vertu Motors-backed side.
The Black Cats had gone seven games without a win going into the trip to Cardiff City, the side sitting directly above them in the EFL Championship table.
Having halted a losing run with a point against QPR in the previous game, Sunderland would prove to be too good for their opponents in Wales as Mike Dodds secured a first victory since taking over as interim coach for the second time this season.
Sunderland took the lead after just twelve minutes when Jobe Bellingham was felled in the box and Adil Aouchiche fired home the penalty, with Bellingham himself then adding the second before the half hour mark when he converted a cross from Aouchiche.
Abdoullah Ba, Chris Rigg and Luis Semedo all had chances to extend Sunderland’s lead but the 2-0 success was good enough to keep the top ten in sight going into a home game with struggling Blackburn on Easter Monday.
With hopes high of making it two wins from two across the weekend, Sunderland started well enough but it was the visitors who took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Sammie Szmodics beat Anthony Patterson from close range.
From that point on, Blackburn were in control of proceedings, with top scorer Szmodics doubling the lead before half-time with a shot from inside the box after smart build-up play down the wing.
Ryan Hedges and Tyrhys Dolan both netted shortly after the break as Blackburn moved further clear before Rigg was able to pull one back when he pounced following a save by Aynsley Pears.
However, it was Blackburn who had the last laugh Andrew Moran added a fifth with nine minutes to go to all but end any hope of Sunderland reaching the play-offs – with a 13 point deficit to sixth place and only six games left to run.
The next of those will come at home to Bristol City this weekend.
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