Sunderland vs Blackpool match report

A Jack Baldwin inspired Sunderland side succumbed to another home point against a determined Blackpool side.

League one promotion hopefuls Sunderland entertained playoff chasers Blackpool on a gusty evening under the lights, in the North East. It was a game many of the locals would've tipped to be a 'must win' if Sunderland were to keep up with the top. From the start, it was evident the home team were nervous and felt a bit under pressure. Blackpool were forced into an early change before the game really got underway, just 7 minutes were on the clock when Liam Feeney replaced the injured Marc Bola. In the opening 20, however, the hosts did in fact dominate the play, with the ball firmly in the Blackpool half throughout that duration. Their possession didn't tell though, as plenty of chances were going astray, leaving plenty in the ground frustrated. The visitors never really looked under pressure, you could say, and were dealing with whatever Sunderland had to offer, a few Grant Leadbitter corners went unrewarded, but apart from that, Sunderland didn't really offer much. Their new £4 million man, Will Grigg was making his home league debut following his deadline day arrival from Wigan and he didn't really get himself into the game in the first half an hour. The game did spring into life when the clock hit half an hour, after a long midfield battle, Blackpool's centre defender Curtis Tilt saw his header cleared off the line. The alarm bells were ringing for the hosts, but only shortly after they saw themselves a goal down. A rocket from French striker Armand Gnanduillet flew past Scotland international Jon McLaughlin in the Sunderland goal. It could've yet been a different story though, as Grigg raced through on goal just seconds before but Tangerines stopper Mark Howard was equal to it, a really disappointing outcome, to say the least. Was it going to be one of those days for the Black Cats, who find themselves in a sticky patch, having only won 1 of their last 6 games. Incidentally, the 5 games they didn't win in that time, were all 1-1 draws. So you could bank on what the outcome would be for this one. Yet, Sunderland did still push before half time, Aiden McGeady saw his free kick crash off the outside of the Blackpool post, however, nothing would come of Sunderland's efforts in the first half, and were lucky to go into the break a goal down in truth, as Blackpool's other central defender, Ben Heneghan, missed an effort from 6 yards, a chance that really could've put the game to bed given Sunderlands attacking woes. 

Second Half

It was as you were for both sides entering the second half, no tactical substitutions were made, much to the anger of many of the home fans, who were hoping for an attacking change, given their struggles. Sunderland did begin to grow in the second and began to control, having the lion share of possession and really beginning to look threatening. Duncan Watmore was the main instigator of Sunderlands opportunities, showing a willingness to drive at the Blackpool back line with his blistering pace, the final product wasn't there, though, and many were beginning to believe their luck really was out. This forced Sunderland boss Jack Ross into a pair of changes, with Charlie Wyke and Lewis Morgan replacing Lynden Gooch and Aiden McGeady, the intent was there, to lay into the Blackpool defence and force errors on them. Just 10 minutes after entering the play, Wyke saw a scuffed effort saved by Howard in the Blackpool goal after clever play from Watmore. Chances were coming thick and fast, and only minutes later Will Grigg latched onto a clever through ball from Jack Baldwin, he rounded the keeper with ease however his finish let him down, finding the side netting in an open goal. The home fans surely by now had lost all hope of getting anything from this game after all those missed opportunities. However in the 75th minute, hope, as well as parity, was restored. Grant Leadbitter sent in an inch perfect ball into the box from a corner, which was gratefully put away by central defender Jack Baldwin.

Statistic
That's 38 straight league games that Sunderland have scored in, the best return in Englands top 4 divisions! 

However, the question remained the same, could Sunderland score that all important winning goal to keep up with the front 2? Well they did continue to press and were throwing everything at it, corner after corner, they were peppering the Blackpool defence, however they weren't fazed by it and continued to thwart the Sunderland attack. It ended 1-1 at the Stadium Of Light, another frustrating result for Sunderland, who find themselves 4th in the league, 4 points off Barnsley in 2nd place, with a game in hand. 

Upcoming match-ups 
Sunderland take on Accrington Stanley this Friday, in another must win game. If they do fail to win, then serious doubts about promotion will kick in, with Barnsley being the in form team, they could really start to open up a gap. Blackpool travel to Charlton this weekend, looking to build on a 6 match unbeaten run. A win at The Valley could really see them put pressure on the top six, and Charlton themselves who currently occupy the 5th position, sitting on 55 points 

Man Of The Match- George Honeyman
Responsible for the rare pieces of creativity in Sunderlands game. Needs to be in the side more if they are to be more consistent. 

Flop Of The Match- Aiden McGeady
Never really played with great desperation all night. Didn't look sharp enough,questions looming, should Morgan start ahead of him?

Moment Of The Match- Grigg through on goal
One of the games best chances saw Will Grigg race through on goal at 0-0. If he scored, it may have been a different story, Sunderland may have got the win. However, it was the catalyst to an impressive Blackpool counter attack, which was finished off merely 30 seconds after the miss.

Match stats
Possession: 58%-42%
Shots: 18-11
Shots on target: 7-5
Corners: 8-3
Fouls: 10-11

Referee- Carl Boyeson

Attendance- 27,580