Match Report: Southampton 4-2 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland’s losing streak extended to six matches, with a 4-2 defeat to Southampton on Saturday afternoon at St. Mary’s.
Two second-half goals in the space of nine minutes from Romaine Mundle and Jobe Bellingham had pulled the Black Cats level after Stuart Armstrong and Adam Armstrong from the spot put the Saints into a two-goal first-half lead.
However, two strikes in three minutes from Joe Rothwell sealed a pivotal three points for Russell Martin’s side, who responded to Leeds’ win on Friday night and Ipswich’s defeat to Cardiff in the early kick-off in the four-horse race for automatic promotion.
But, for Sunderland, they have lost six on the bounce for the first time since 2013, as frustrations continue to be voiced from the fanbase.
Mike Dodds opted to make three changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Leicester City on Tuesday night, with a revert to a back-four due to the absence of Luke O’Nien to suspension, but the most notable change was up top as Mason Burstow replaced Luis Hemir.
And it was Burstow who had the first chance of the match, as he dispossessed a Saints defender and was unleashed in behind, but his shot from just inside of the penalty area was too weak and wrapped around the right post.
But Southampton were building some pressure, and found the breakthrough as Jan Bednarek’s header was initially parried down by Anthony Patterson, but into the feet of S. Armstrong, who fired into the back of the net.
Burstow hit the post in another opportunity for the Chelsea loanee, but after Chris Rigg brought down Ryan Manning inside of the penalty area, Newcastle-born A. Armstrong sent the ball past Patterson.
Dodds’ side were sloppy in possession, and Southampton were beginning to pile on the pressure, as David Brooks’ curling effort was caught by the gloves of Patterson.
Yet, as the second half began and progressed, the Black Cats began to seize the initiative in the game, and a deflected strike from Mundle halved the deficit with 62 minutes on the clock.
However, only nine minutes later, Bellingham’s right-footed curling effort was unstoppable for Gavin Bazunu and sent the travelling away contingent into pure delirium.
But that ecstasy was not to last, as six minutes later, Martin’s side were back in the lead.
As the Black Cats pushed numbers forward in the hope of a third, they were caught on the counter. Adam Armstrong was free to carry the ball up the right wing, and cut back to Rothwell, who smashed it into the bottom left corner.
And, three minutes later, another counter-attack sealed a massive three points for the Saints – a first at home in their last three.
Rothwell beat the press once more, before feeding Adam Armstrong, whose original shot was cleared off the line, but Rothwell was able to side-foot the rebound into the back of the net.
Substitute Adil Aouchiche had two late efforts to begin another comeback for the away side, but a sixth successive defeat sets up a massive home match against QPR next week.
