Sunderland travelled to Reading for their Championship clash with just one fit first-team striker. With Ross Stewart injured in the warm prior to the Middlesbrough game, Ellis Simms once again led the line.
When Simms went off injured on 37 minutes, fans feared the worse. However, it was a case of no strikers, no problem as the Black Cats showed they can get results without a forward on the field.
No Strikers? No Problem for Sunderland as They Win at Reading
With six minutes to go before halftime, strikerless Sunderland scored on the counterattack with Patrick Roberts cutting inside from the right to place a left-footed shot into the corner of the net.
Just two minutes later, Sunderland doubled their lead with Roberts once again the hero. Another left-foot shot after cutting inside from the right sent the sold-out away end into halftime both delighted and amazed at what they had witnessed.
The second half got even better and it was another excellent team goal. Sunderland once again broke and a cross-field pass put Jack Clarke in on goal. He effortlessly beat a Reading defender before cooly placing the ball into the corner of the net past the helpless keeper – a goal of the season contender.
Finishing it off in front of the Red and White Army 😍
🔥 @JackClarke09 #SAFC pic.twitter.com/Qyv4SMheHd
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) September 14, 2022
The game finished 3-0 with the result never in doubt as Tony Mowbray’s men never gave Reading, a team with a 100% record heading into the game a chance to get into the game.
Five Things Witnessed at Reading
Sunderland Have Nothing to Fear in the Championship
The Black Cats have adapted well to life back in the Championship. They currently sit sixth in the table after nine games. Their three defeats so far have been unfortunate, to say the least. At Sheffield United Sunderland were reduced to 10 men during the first half but were still unlucky to be defeated 2-1.
At home to Norwich City, they suffered a 1-0 defeat; however, due to the chances created, on another day the three points would have been theirs. Against Middlesbrough, Sunderland lost their top scorer Ross Stewart through injury just minutes before kick-off. The change in personnel and tactics unsettled the team and they were beaten by a single goal.
Comfortable 3-0 victories at home to Rotherham United and away at Reading, the latter unbeaten at home with a 100% record before their game with Sunderland have come alongside wins at Bristol City and Stoke City. Draws against Coventry City and QPR round up the Black Cats’ season so far. As yet, no team has shown that there is anything to fear in this league for the men from Wearside.
No Strikers? No Problem for Sunderland: Team Show How Adaptable They Are
For more than half of the game at Reading, the Black Cats played without a striker on the pitch. This proved to be no problem for Sunderland. When Ellis Simms left the field injured with eight minutes of the first half to be played, the game was still 0-0. Tactical changes were needed without a replacement striker on the substitutes bench and both head coach Tony Mowbray and his team delivered.
The Black Cats continually hit Reading on the counter-attack and for much of the game controlled possession. It was a testament to Mowbray’s experience and his team’s adaptability that they overcame the loss of a striker for the second successive game. Three goals later and fans and pundits alike were full of praise for the performance from those in red and white.
Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke Show Their Class and Includes Wonder Goal
A man-of-the-match performance from Patrick Roberts and another impressive display and goal from Jack Clarke sealed the three points for Sunderland.
Roberts was a constant threat to the Reading defence; however, once Ellis Simms was forced off injured, the former Manchester City player stood up to be counted and became the main man. Two goals in two minutes that showed skill, composure and finishing ability gave Sunderland an unexpected but commanding lead at halftime. From the moment the second goal hit the net, the Black Cats were never in danger of being defeated.
Following the conclusion of the game, Tony Mowbray praised his team especially the talent of Roberts, he said: “I can’t teach Patrick Roberts to do what he does with that left foot – I was a big centre-half who used to head it. He’s got a wand of a foot. I told you Tosin Adarabioyo texted me and said Patrick Roberts is magic because he was a kid with him at Man City.
“I see it every day in training. Patrick is an amazing footballer, and I think he just needs encouraging to do what he does. Give him a licence to play and he’ll damage a lot of players in the league this year.”
Winger Jack Clarke who signed on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer and has excelled at wing-back this season capped another impressive display with a goal of the season contender. The goal was a team effort with eight different players involved, eight perfectly weighted passes and a sublime finish. The goal, which started with Sunderland’s goalkeeper Anthony Patterson took 18 seconds from the first pass to Clarke’s finish.
WOW!! How about this for a team goal. Superb football from Sunderland. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/v6rxJNF9Uw
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 14, 2022
Aji Alese Impressive on First League Start
Dennis Cirkin’s injury meant a first league start for defender Aji Alese. The central defender signed in the summer from West Ham United has waited patiently for his chance and when it came against Reading he let no one down. Calm on the ball, dominant in the air and on the ground when defending, the 21-year-old has given Tony Mowbray a huge selection headache for when all his defenders are fit. Should he continue to produce the type of performance he showed on his first start, he is going to be very difficult to drop.
Fans Get First Glimpse of Costa Rica International
Sunderland fans got their first sighting of Costa Rica international winger Jewison Bennette. Signed in August from Costa Rican side C.S. Herediano, the 18-year-old has been adapting to life in England and was given a chance to shine as a second-half substitute.
Bennette showed his fast and direct style which is sure to excite fans in the future. The youngster, keen to impress almost scored on his debut. His blistering pace took him past a defender and his shot from an angle was saved at the near post giving his team a corner.
Ellis Simms Injury Update
Following the game, head coach Tony Mowbray gave an update on striker Ellis Simms who was injured late in the first half. Mowbray said: “It’s his big toe, on the joint. He was struggling to push off and it’s numb at the moment. Whether we scan that tomorrow or whether it settles down overnight, we’ll have to wait and see.
“It’s the fact it was numb, I don’t think it’s broken but we’ll have to let it settle and then reassess it again.”
Despite the injury proving no problem to Sunderland on this night, having no out-and-out striker to call upon should Simms be unavailable could prove to be an issue.
