Sunderland Do A Job On Stoke

Sunderland pulled off their best win of the season when they defeated Stoke City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Stoke had a lot of the ball in the early exchanges but they could not get past a toughened up Sunderland defence, in fact the first chance of the game fell to Steven Fletcher but Jack Butland in the Stoke goal showed why he is so highly rated

When Sunderland settled down the chances started to come and Jermain Defoe sent in a shot that was narrowly wide of the post that looked to have the Stoke keeper beaten.

Sunderland were dealt a blow when Defoe picked up an injury to his thigh and he was replaced by Duncan Watmore.

Costel Pantilimon came to Sunderland’s rescue on 35 minutes when he pulled off a save with his legs to deny Jonathan Walters

The Potters were to have a great chance on 34 minutes, the best of the game, but in trying to turn in a cross, Jonathan Walters saw his effort saved by the legs of Sunderland stopper Costel Pantilimon.

Then Stoke shot themselves in the foot when hothead Ryan Shawcross picked up a second booking for a foul on Watmore and referee Mike Dean had no hesitation sending him off.

With Shawcross, the man Stoke fans laughingly tip for an England place, gone Sunderland took control of the game

Yann M’Vila managed to fire wide of the goal and then Butland made a great save to deny Sebastian Coates. Watmore went close once again and Fletcher had a couple of good shouts for a penalty turned down.

On 82 minutes Sunderland got their breakthrough when Patrick van Aanholt smashed home a shot with his left foot after the Black Cats worked a short corner.

And it was 2-0 on 84 minutes when Watmore put a good run together and fired into the corner giving Butland no chance.