Sunderland Suffer On The Road
Sunderland endured a tough week on the road in the EFL Championship with two defeats ending a promising three-game unbeaten run.
The Black Cats headed for Huddersfield having taken wins against Stoke and Plymouth either side of a draw with Middlesbrough in the local derby.
With Huddersfield aiming to build on a recent upturn in fortunes and Sunderland chasing a place in the top six, there was plenty to play for in the game but it was the home side who emerged on top.
A goal from Matty Pearson, who was quickest to react when Anthony Patterson saved a shot from Jack Rudoni, would prove to be decisive as the home side took all three points from the game.
From there, the Black Cats headed for the Midlands to take on a Birmingham City led by former boss Tony Mowbray, and they took the lead in the first half when Jack Clarke curled a shot into the bottom corner after a mistake from the home side at the back.
Birmingham were able to respond after the break when Jordan James steered home after a melee in the box, and Birmingham then stole all three points late when Koji Miyoshi beat Anthony Patterson from close range.
Sunderland will now bid to return to form against Swansea City this weekend at the Stadium of Light to close to the four point gap to the top six.