Sunderland 4-1 Doncaster Rovers
Sunderland moved back into the play-off places with an emphatic 4-1 win at home to Doncaster.
Aiden McGeady set up Charlie Wyke three times in the first half, with the goals coming in the seventh, 11th and 31st minute.
Doncaster scored in the 52nd minute from an unlucky rebound off Lee Burge to make it 3-1, but McGeady and Wyke combined for a fourth time in the 54th minute to seal the game.
Lee Johnson made six changes to the side that lost against Shrewsbury last Tuesday, and opted for a 4-3-3 formation, instead of his usual 4-2-2-2.
Lee Burge returned to the side after Remi Matthews’ unconvincing display during the week.
Charlie Wyke opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he headed McGeady’s corner past goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe.
The duo combined again in the 11th minute. McGeady beat his man and lofted another cross into the box for Wyke who bullied his marker and headed home once again.
McGeady looked unplayable all game and in the 31st minute, he set up Wyke for his third goal, and his second hattrick of the season.
Despite constant Sunderland pressure, Doncaster did respond in the 52nd minute when Taylor Richards’ shot hit off the post and deflected off Burge in unfortunate fashion.
The Black Cats killed the game off in the 54th minute when McGeady assisted Sunderland’s number nine, making him the first Sunderland player to score four goals at the Stadium of Light.
Lee Burge also made history with his fine display, becoming the first Sunderland player to save two penalties at the Stadium of Light, a welcomed relief after some goalkeeping frailties in recent weeks. The win took Sunderland back above Charlton into sixth place, with their next game being the semi-final tie against Lincoln in the EFL Trophy.
