Match Report: Sunderland 2-2 Watford

Sunderland’s Play-Off hopes were dealt a blow as they could only draw against Watford at a sold out Stadium of Light.

Late goals from Luke O’Nien and Patrick Roberts secured a point for the Black Cats, after two set-piece goals from Christian Kabasele and Ryan Porteous but the Hornets two goals up.

The opening stages of the match were slow with neither side creating any clear chances between them, with Sunderland’s Amad Diallo coming the closest with a free-kick from range.

However, it was Watford who opened the scoring as Belgian defender Kabasele scored with a free-header from an Imran Louza corner after 17 minutes.

Sunderland winger Patrick Roberts saw his attempt curl just past the far post on the stroke of half-time.

On the other side of half-time, Black Cats’ defender Trai Hume had his header saved by Daniel Bachmann at the far post.

But once again, Tony Mowbray’s side was undone by a corner kick. It was Louza supplying the goods once again, but this time it was Porteous’ turn to head the ball past a helpless Anthony Patterson in the Sunderland goal.

Within two minutes of conceding, Luke O’Nien gave the home side a lifeline as he prodded the ball home from two yards out.

Sunderland pushed for an equaliser with Roberts and Jack Clarke both seeing their efforts blazed over the bar but the end product was lacking in the final third.

That was until the 95th minute, where Roberts curled in a beauty of an effort into the top corner from the edge of the box, sending the Black Cat faithful into chaos.

The draw leaves Sunderland seventh in the EFL Championship, but still with a chance as they sit two points behind Millwall in the final Play-Off spot with just one game to go.

Regardless of the end result this season, Tony Mowbray and his men can certainly be proud of their performance this season.