Welcome to the latest edition of the Sunderland weekly round-up. Following 48 years of hurt, Sunderland are finally Wembley winners once again. Since their famous 1973 FA Cup final victory over Leeds United, the Black Cats have visited the home of English football on a number of occasions but have come away second best. On Sunday, Sunderland defeated Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy final to break their losing streak and delight the whole of Wearside and beyond.
We also look back at the red and whites’ latest League One win, plus there was an award for in-form striker Charlie Wyke and should Lee Johnson want winger Jordan Jones to sign permanently, he could have major competition.
Sunderland Wembley Winners at Last
Pompey Defeated
Although many eyes were on the upcoming Wembley final, Lee Johnson’s side still had league football to concentrate on. Johnson’s Sunderland side travelled to the South coast to take on fellow promotion chasers Portsmouth. The home side have been inconsistent of late and showed why as the Black Cats dominated for much of the game to pour more misery on Pompey boss Kenny Jacket.
An early goal from Charlie Wyke opened the scoring; however, they had to be patient in the search for a second. Just before the hour, the goal came. On-loan winger Jordan Jones scored the goal to cap an impressive performance. The victory made it six wins in the past eight games and moved Johnson and his team closer to the coveted automatic promotion places.
Charlie Wyke Wins Award for Fine Form
Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke, who has been in devastating goalscoring form this season, was rewarded last week with the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month in League One for February. The big striker is currently amongst the best strikers in Europe this year as far as goals are concerned. Wyke has scored an impressive 26 goals so far this season including four against Doncaster Rovers last month. Winger Aiden McGeady, who created all four of those goals, was amongst the other nominees.
Wembley Winners
Sunderland are finally Wembley winners. Following almost five decades of trying to win at the famous stadium since their FA Cup Final win in 1973, fans finally saw their team win. Sadly no fans were at the stadium to witness the victory; however, many will have watched and celebrated at home.
Lee Johnson’s men took on in-form League Two side Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Trophy final on Sunday and just like in 1973, they won 1-0 against a team playing in an all-white kit. In a tight game of few clear cut chances, Sunderland won with a solitary goal from Lynden Gooch. A defence-splitting ball from Aiden McGeady gave Gooch a one on one with the Rovers goalkeeper. The American made no mistake as he cooly placed the ball past the advancing keeper.
Scenes of joy and relief were witnessed at Wembley and in the homes of supporters at the final whistle and beyond. It may not be the FA Cup but it is a trophy won in a Wembley final. After many years of hurt, the club and the fans deserve to enjoy it.
Sunderland Have Competition if They Wish to Sign Jordan Jones
James Copley of the Sunderland Echo has reported that Sunderland will have competition should they wish to sign winger Jordan Jones permanently. Jones joined Sunderland on loan in January from Rangers for the rest of the season; however, he has been told by the Scottish giants that he can leave this summer. Jones has been in fine form since breaking into Lee Johnson’s first eleven and it would be a surprise if Johnson was not keen to make the deal a permanent one.
According to the report, several clubs have been in contact with Rangers to express their interest in signing Jones this summer. Barnsley, Cardiff City, Stoke City and Middlesbrough are all believed to the keen to bring the Northern Ireland international to their club.
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