Sunderland On Course For Play-off Slot
Sunderland remain firmly on course for a place in the end-of-season play-offs in the EFL Championship after picking up seven points from twelve across March.
The Vertu-backed side went into a new month having strengthened its position inside he top six, albeit with work to do to try and close the gap to the top three and the battle for automatic promotion.
March kicked off with a home game against Cardiff City and the Black Cats wasted little time in hitting the front as Eliezer Mayenda smashed in the opening goal within two minutes of the start.
Sunderland appeared to be in control of the game but Cardiff pulled level shortly before the break through Isaak Davies, with the goal coming completely against the run of play.
With under 15 minutes to go however, Sunderland clinched all three points when Chris Mepham scored his first goal for the Club to make it two successive wins – having suffered back-to-back defeats in late February.
Preston North End were next to arrive at the Stadium of Light and the visitors looked to be on course to grab the points when Emil Riis fired in shortly after the hour mark.
Sunderland were able to salvage a point late on however when a curling effort from Romain Mundle nestled in the back of the net to draw the home side level.
The only away game of the month before the international break saw Sunderland travel to Coventry City, who went into the match looking to strengthen their own position inside the top six.
A rare off day for the visitors saw Coventry secure a 3-0 win thanks a hat-trick from Haji Wright, but the Black Cats came back to end the month on a high with victory at home to Millwall.
Even though Luke O’Nien saw a second half penalty saved by visiting ‘keeper Lukas Jensen, Sunderland picked up the three points thanks to a first half effort from Trai Hume.
Although the gap to the top three has now grown, Sunderland require just seven more points from the final seven games of the campaign to secure a place in the play-off spots.
March Results:
| Sunderland | 2 - 1 | Cardiff City | CH |
| Sunderland | 1 - 1 | Preston North End | CH |
| Coventry City | 3 - 0 | Sunderland | CH |
| Sunderland | 1 - 0 | Millwall | CH |