Tuesday December 11, 2012 Day 2 Finished Stadium of Light

Sunderland 3 - 0 Reading

  • McClean 3’
  • Fletcher 28’
  • Sessegnon 90’

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  1. Premier League - Sunderland out of drop zone after beating Reading

    Premier League - Sunderland out of drop zone after beating Reading

    Sunderland produced a dominant home display to beat Reading 3-0, a win that sees the Black Cats climb out of the drop zone. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sunderland
    • Reading
    • 90+5' And there goes the full-time whistle. A superb win for Sunderland. Despite a second-half comeback from Reading the home side held on and even scored a third at the end. Big three points.
    • 90+5' It is all over now. McClean has a go from the edge of the box but Federici saves.
    • 90+4' Sessegnon latches onto a ball played over the top that Reading are unable to deal with and the Sunderland man takes it round Federici and knocks it into an open net.
    • 90+3' Sunderland have won a corner down the other end. They are happy just to hold onto it and frustrate Reading.
    • 90+2' Reading win another corner. They are having a go here but surely too little too late.
    • 90+1' Five minutes of injury time to be played.
    • 90' Sessegnon does brilliantly to break down the other end but the referee pulls back play for a foul on Tabb. Harsh on the the Sunderland man.
    • 89' Shorey whips in the corner and Hunt rises to meet it but Mignolet pulls off a great save to tip it round the post.
    • 88' Cuellar looks for Sessgnon but gives the ball away cheaply. McAnuff eventually sees it on the right but his cross is blocked for the corner.
    • 87' Reading passing it around at the moment but they cannot seem to get too far up the pitch.
    • 86' It is not looking too good for Reading at the moment. They need a minor miracle to steal two goals in the final five minutes.
    • 85' Shorey whips in a dangerous cross and finds Le Fondre in the box. The striker sticks out a foot but it sails wide of the target.
    • 84' McClean does brilliantly to beat Cummings and get a cross into the box but Federici claims it.
    • 83' Sunderland are starting to soak up the Reading pressure well now and the away side's attacks are soon coming to a premature end.
    • 82' Sessegnon does brilliantly to beat two Reading men before teeing up Gardner on the edge of the box but his shot is straight at Federici. Should have made the keeper work there.
    • 81' Reading probing at the Sunderland defence but having little luck at getting past them.
    • 80' The home side come forward through Larsson but Tabb does well to claim possession for Reading.
    • 79' Sunderland are playing the ball around nicely now.
    • 78' A great burst in midfield from Sessegnon who plays in McClean. The winger takes one touch before firing a shot at goal but Federici does well to make the save. Could have been all over there.
    • 76' Time is starting to tick away for Reading. They really need to get a goal soon if they want to come away from this game with at least a point.
    • 76' Larsson sends in a free-kick that gets cleared but only as far as Bramble on the edge of the box but the defender slices it with his first touch of the game.
    • 75' Titus Bramble comes on for the injured Bardsley. That is three players who have had to come off injured for Sunderland tonight.
    • 74' Bardsley is down now after taking a knock. Sunderland will not want to lose another player to injury.
    • 73' Fletcher goes into the book for time wasting.
    • 72' Dominic Samuel comes on for McCleary. What has he got to offer? Reading need something soon.
    • 71' McAnuff burst forward past Bardsley and takes a tumble in the box. No penalty given though.
    • 70' Vaughan comes on for Rose. His injury in the first half has finally caught up with him. He receives a standing ovation.
    • 69' Sessegnon does brilliantly to get an early shot away after the flick on from Fletcher but Federici gets down low to make the save.
    • 68' Rose again shakes off his opponent. This time it is Hunt. Great strength from the full back.
    • 67' Rose does brilliantly to stop McAnuff on the right. The full back has not let a man get past him tonight.
    • 66' Larsson sends a dangerous corner into the box but Reading do well to head it clear.
    • 65' Fletcher plays a one-two with Gardner and drives into the box but he makes a stumble at the wrong time and falls over. Unlucky as that was great play from the striker.
    • 64' Brian McDermott must be starting to think about making a change soon. They need to capitalise on this pressure.
    • 63' Sunderland go right up the other end and Rose sends in a dangerous ball from the left but nobody in a Sunderland shirt is able to get on the end of it.
    • 62' Cuellar makes a strong challenge on Tabb to bring an end to a Reading move. Crunching.
    • 61' This is Reading's best bit of pressure in the whole game. Can they make it count though?
    • 60' Reading have responded well and could easily have pulled one back already. It appears Sunderland are continuing to attack rather than defend their lead so there will be plenty of space for Reading to exploit.
    • 59' Tabb sends the ball into the box for Reading. Hunt gets his head to it but it was never worrying Mignolet.
    • 58' Reading are having a real go of it at the moment and putting the home side under pressure.
    • 56' Fletcher sends a ball into the box from the left but it sails out for the goal kick.
    • 55' Shorey sends a corner into the box but the unmarked Mariappa can only head well wide of the target. Should have done better.
    • 57' Shorey curls the free-kick towards the top corner but Mignolet does well to palm it away.
    • 54' Rose gets booked for a late challenge on McAnuff. Free kick in a dangerous position for Reading.
    • 53' Bardsley heads clear the corner from Shorey,
    • 52' Le Fondre makes a great run for Reading and does brilliantly to win the corner.
    • 51' McClean with a very dangerous ball into the box to Fletcher but the striker is just unable to get proper contact on his header. He mistimed his jump.
    • 50' Not quite the lightning start we had to the first half then. Can't have it all....
    • 49' Hunt has a snapshot at goal following the pass from Le Fondre but it sails over. Should have done better there.
    • 48' McClean goes forward down the left but Cummings does well to stop him in his tracks.
    • 47' Johnson is injured. What a blow that is for Sunderland.
    • 46' Barsdley has come on for Johnson.
    • 46' Reading get the second half underway. What have they got in their locker after falling two goals behind in the first half?
    • 45+3' And there is the half-time whistle. A fantastic first 45 for Sunderland who came firing straight out of the blocks to score. From there they only improved and soon got another. Reading have created chances but not been too clinical. They will need a goal early in the second half to bring themselves back into contention.
    • 45+3' Rose looks like he is struggling with his injury a little.
    • 45+3' The corner falls to Leigertwood on the edge of the box but Fletcher defends to well to stop his shot.
    • 45+2' Leigertwood makes a run forward and does well to win a corner for Reading.
    • 45+1' McCleary whips in a cross from the right but it goes out for the goal kick. Reading have managed to get a few balls into the box but they have not been the most clinical with them.
    • 45+1' Three minutes of injury time to be played.
    • 45' Shorey looks for the run of Le Fondre but his pass is hit a little too hard and it runs out for the goal kick.
    • 44' Colback looks for Fletcher in the middle but his cross is just a little too strong for the striker to do anything with.
    • 43' Johnson swings in a corner and picks out Fletcher in the box who sends his header just over the bar.
    • 42' Colback tries to force his way down the right wing and ends up winning a corner.
    • 41' Good pressure from the away side as they make Sunderland hand them possession.
    • 40' Johnson is the man down now after that challenge. He looks ok to continue.
    • 40' McAnuff goes in hard and late on Johnson. Pure frustration from the Reading man there.
    • 39' McAnuff sends a free-kick into the box but Sunderland are able to deal with it with ease.
    • 39' Rose is up now though and looks ok to carry on.
    • 38' Rose is down injured at the moment. The Black Cats will not want to lose him as he has been one of their best players tonight.
    • 37' McClean has a shot from the edge of the box deflected wide.
    • 36' Sunderland continue to stretch the play bringing both wingers into their moves.
    • 35' Reading though do look like they have goals in them. A goal before half time would help them out massively.
    • 34' Sunderland are looking very strong in all areas of the pitch. It really has been a real team performacne so far.
    • 33' Hunt picks the ball up with his back to goal on the edge of the box so knocks it back to Tabb. The midfielder hits it first time but blazes it over the bar.
    • 32' McCleary tries to send a ball in from the right but Rose does excellently to dispossess him. The Sunderland man is having a great game.
    • 31' McAnuff does well on the left as he beats a man and drives a ball in from the left but Sunderland clear. The Reading man gets the ball again and sends it back in but the home side defend well.
    • 30' Sunderland have put themselves in a magnificent position. What have Reading got in response now?
    • 29' That was a fantastic touch from Fletcher to knock it in. Superb imagination from the striker.
    • 28' Rose does brilliantly as he drives down the left and picks out Fletcher in the middle who backheels it into the back of the net.
    • 27' Reading trying to pick a hole in Sunderland's defence but are having little luck.
    • 26' Fletcher has been an important player for the home team already holding the ball up top. They will be delighted to have got him fit in time.
    • 25' Sunderland are enjoying a decent spell of possession and pressure at the moment. Reading are struggling to get hold of the ball.
    • 24' Johnson has had a great start to the game. He has looked a threat whenever he has been on the ball.
    • 23' Some lovely work from Johnson on the left as he soon whips a dangerous ball into the box but Fletcher is just unable to connect with it.
    • 22' Fletcher does very well to knock down a Cuellar ball forward into the path of Sessegnon but his shot is blocked. The Benin international soon picks up the ball again and turns Cummings before firing an effort just wide of the post.
    • 21' McAnuff does very well on the left to beat Gardner before sending a cross into the box. Hunt rises to meet it but cannot get enough on it to threaten the goal.
    • 20' Sunderland have been very good at getting bodies forward on the break so far. The likes of Larsson and Johnson have been busting a gut to get forward.
    • 19' Cuellar is able to head clear McAnuff's set piece into the box however. Not the greatest delivery.
    • 18' Reading win a free kick in a dangerous position.
    • 17' After the lightning start to the game the pace has slowed down a bit now and both sides are playing a little more patiently.
    • 16' Fletcher tries to chase down a ball played over the top but it hits his arm and a free kick is given.
    • 15' McCleary sends a ball into the box but Hunt arriving at the far post is just unable to meet it.
    • 14' Johnson sends in the free kick but he puts too much on it and it goes out for the goal kick.
    • 12' Johnson picks up the ball from the right flank and cuts inside to shoot but his effort sails well wide of the goal.
    • 11' Sunderland are playing some nice football early on and doing their best to stretch the play.
    • 10' Sunderland have started very well but credit has to be given to Reading too who could easily have crumbled in these opening moments but they are creating chances.
    • 9' Shorey sends a free-kick into the box that lands at the feet of Pearce. The defender swings a leg at it first time from close range but it lands just the wrong side of the post.
    • 8' Martin O'Neill will be delighted with his side's start to this game. They look a real threat every time they attack.
    • 13' Mariappa goes into the book after being turned by Fletcher. Great play from the striker.
    • 6' So an electric start to this game with both sides doing their best to attack.
    • 5' Sunderland go down the other end and Larsson makes a fine run beating two players before shooting from the edge of the box but Federici tips round the post.
    • 4' A fine start from Sunderland but Reading respond instantly as Shorey attempts a shot that canons of a defender and back into his path. He strikes at goal again but it blazes over the bar.
    • 3' McClean opens the scoring for Sunderland with a fine strike from the edge of the box after Federici had punched a corner away.
    • 2' A pretty scrappy start to the game so far with both sides struggling to keep hold of the ball for too long.
    • 1' Rose is playing at left back for Sunderland. There was some talk that he might be given a central midfield berth tonight.
    • 1' Sunderland get this vital fixture for both clubs underway, playing in their traditional red and white strip.
    • 19:45 Another reason why both sides would love a win tonight... Sunderland's next fixture is away to Manchester United, while Reading next welcome Arsenal.
    • 19:40 Martin O’Neill’s side have won only one of their last 11 Premier League fixtures at the Stadium of Light. The Royals, meanwhile, have won just two points away from home in the Premier League this season and are still searching for their first win on the road. To say both sides are desperate for three points tonight would be an understatement.
    • 19:35 Both sides come into this game on the back of poor runs. Sunderland have lost five of their last seven Premier League matches, while Reading have suffered four successive Premier League defeats. Should the Royals lose this game, it’ll be their second longest run of defeats in their Premier League history.
    • 19:30 Brian McDermott: “We have a couple or three targets – and then it would depend on finances. We’re just trying to strengthen the squad. For me personally, I feel that we need players that have played at this level and know the league."
    • 19:25 Martin O'Neill: "I don't want to sound wildly boastful, but not only am I the best man for the job, I am actually the only man for the job. We will steer it through, we will get calmer waters ahead - it might take us a few months to do that - and then we will see."
    • 19:20 It is a huge game for both sides tonight. A win for Sunderland and they will climb out of the relegation zone up to 15th. Three points for Reading, meanwhile, will see them stay where they are but they will close the gap on their opponents this evening to just one point. Plenty at stake then.
    • 19:15 Steven Fletcher returns from injury for Sunderland at the expense of Connor Wickham, while Jack Colback comes in for Phil Bardsley. It looks like Craig Gardner will fill in at right back. For Reading, Alex Pearce comes in for the injured Sean Morrison while Garath McCleary and Noel Hunt also come in for Hal Robson-Kanu and Jason Roberts.
    • 19:10 SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea, Gardner, Johnson, Colback, Larsson, McClean, Fletcher, Sessegnon... Subs: Bardsley, Campbell, Wickham, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Bramble, Westwood. /// READING: Federici, Shorey, Cummings, Pearce, Mariappa, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff, McCleary, Hunt, Le Fondre... Subs: Taylor, Harte, Gunter, Gorkss, Gunnarsson, Obita, Samuel.
    • 19:05 Tonight's fixture was originally postponed on August 25 due to torrential rain so both sides will be looking to finally take advantage of their game in hand in this relegation six-pointer.
    • 19:00 Good evening and welcome to our LIVE coverage of Sunderland against Reading at the Stadium of Light.

  • Summary

    • 90+4' Sessegnon latches onto a ball played over the top that Reading are unable to deal with and the Sunderland man takes it round Federici and knocks it into an open net.
    • 89' Shorey whips in the corner and Hunt rises to meet it but Mignolet pulls off a great save to tip it round the post.
    • 78' A great burst in midfield from Sessegnon who plays in McClean. The winger takes one touch before firing a shot at goal but Federici does well to make the save. Could have been all over there.
    • 69' Sessegnon does brilliantly to get an early shot away after the flick on from Fletcher but Federici gets down low to make the save.
    • 57' Shorey curls the free-kick towards the top corner but Mignolet does well to palm it away.
    • 49' Hunt has a snapshot at goal following the pass from Le Fondre but it sails over. Should have done better there.
    • 43' Johnson swings in a corner and picks out Fletcher in the box who sends his header just over the bar.
    • 28' Rose does brilliantly as he drives down the left and picks out Fletcher in the middle who backheels it into the back of the net.
    • 22' Fletcher does very well to knock down a Cuellar ball forward into the path of Sessegnon but his shot is blocked. The Benin international soon picks up the ball again and turns Cummings before firing an effort just wide of the post.
    • 9' Shorey sends a free-kick into the box that lands at the feet of Pearce. The defender swings a leg at it first time from close range but it lands just the wrong side of the post.
    • 5' Sunderland go down the other end and Larsson makes a fine run beating two players before shooting from the edge of the box but Federici tips round the post.
    • 4' A fine start from Sunderland but Reading respond instantly as Shorey attempts a shot that canons of a defender and back into his path. He strikes at goal again but it blazes over the bar.
    • 3' McClean opens the scoring for Sunderland with a fine strike from the edge of the box after Federici had punched a corner away.
    • 19:10 SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea, Gardner, Johnson, Colback, Larsson, McClean, Fletcher, Sessegnon... Subs: Bardsley, Campbell, Wickham, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Bramble, Westwood. /// READING: Federici, Shorey, Cummings, Pearce, Mariappa, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff, McCleary, Hunt, Le Fondre... Subs: Taylor, Harte, Gunter, Gorkss, Gunnarsson, Obita, Samuel.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.6 7
      Defenders
      6.4 6
      6.5 7
      5.8 7
      5.2 6
      Midfielders
      6.4 7
      Yellow Card Substitution Out69′ 6.7 8
      Substitution Out45′ 7.3 8
      Goal 6.7 7
      Strikers
      Goal 7.4 7
      Goal Yellow Card 7.8 8
      Subs
      Substitution In76′ 5.3 5
      Substitution In45′ Substitution Out76′ 7.1 6
      Substitution In69′ 5 5
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.2 7
      Defenders
      6.1 7
      Yellow Card 3.1 5
      3.9 5
      4.1 5
      Midfielders
      3.8 5
      3.3 6
      5 7
      Substitution Out72′ 3.6 5
      Strikers
      3.9 6
      7.2 6
      Subs
      Substitution In72′ 2.5 5

Comment 48 - 68 of 68

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  1. Great result for Sunderland last night and just what­ they needed after a poor run of form. A change of­ manager is the last thing they need. Martin O'Neill­ has a proven track record and is one of the best­ managers around. The fact of the matter is that­ he's having to manage limited resources as best as­ he can; thin squad, lots of injuries. The main problem­ has been a lack of goals so they could definitely do­ with an extra striker 'cause they haven't­ filled the hole left by Darren Bent's and Asamoah­ Gyan's departures.

    From Dino, on Wed 12 Dec 6:34

  2. As a Reading Fc fan can no one see that the manager has­ clearly run out of ideas. Try sitting in the stands­ watching championship players at best trying to compete­ in this league, its not working. The club wants to­ move forward yeh watever, spend some money on quality­ players,we have a forward on 40k per week who cant even­ stay on his feet, no midfield and a defence that looks­ more nervous then bin laden did when the yanks gave him­ a visit, the reason they look nervous is the so called­ shot stopper between the posts. Adam you dont get beat­ at your near post SORRY. Shall i go and watch Reading­ get smashed by Arsenal or have a good dump and read the­ Reading Chronicle free bee paper

    From M, on Tue 11 Dec 22:00

  3. This is more like it. Another two wins And we­ will move up the table.

    From RAYMOND N, on Tue 11 Dec 21:52

  4. wow, what a relief - well done lads. Sounds like a­ decent performance and three goals. Real 6-pointer this­ as it puts daylight between us and two teams in the­ drop zone. Let's hope the injuries are not serious­ - especially DR as he is a top lad this season. We will­ stay up and, I predict, will ultimately finish above­ the mags!

    From paul mc, on Tue 11 Dec 21:49

  5. Well done Martin! I couldn't believe what that­ commentater said to you on Saturday. Self doubt? One of­ the best managers of all time and thanks for 4 glory­ years at Leicester.

    From Chris Bull, on Tue 11 Dec 21:43

  6. Next games could see us and Toon changing league­ positions!!

    From Bob P, on Tue 11 Dec 21:42

  7. yea haway the lads

    From Annette, on Tue 11 Dec 21:41

  8. at last a win

    From paul, on Tue 11 Dec 21:35

  9. well done martin n the lads .............our black cats­ are what pardew etc need to worry about now

    From Annette, on Tue 11 Dec 21:33

  10. class game boy

    From , on Tue 11 Dec 21:26

  11. Howay the Lads!!

    From Bob P, on Tue 11 Dec 21:04

  12. goals 4 johnson please...

    From Jack, on Tue 11 Dec 20:57

  13. I only hope we can get twelve points dont want to end­ up with less than than Derby county

    From shaun s, on Tue 11 Dec 20:57

  14. Come on keep it going in the 2nd half.

    From David, on Tue 11 Dec 20:47

  15. Arsenal and Man City next up for Reading! :( Just­ hope we can beat Derbys 'worst ever' record.

    From GWILYM, on Tue 11 Dec 20:45

  16. I predicted 3-1 (perhaps that was a little­ conservative!!

    From David, on Tue 11 Dec 20:45

  17. James, you should be worried for the goon, by the way­ what are noemans?

    From GRAEME, on Tue 11 Dec 20:44

  18. With Man U away, the next match, we need something­ tonight. We've given a 2 goal lead away before,­ hope it doesn't happen here. Man U will be a tough­ assignment---hope the Lads are up for it!!

    From Bob P, on Tue 11 Dec 20:41

  19. Well, unlike our sorry mob last night, the mackems came­ out wanting this. Pardew, i hope you are watching!

    From cameron, on Tue 11 Dec 20:41

  20. hear bradford are beating arsenal in cup

    From Patsy Tyzack, on Tue 11 Dec 20:38
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