Sunderland AFC, or the Black Cats, entered their latest game on the back of three consecutive defeats. Manager Tony Mowbray, in an attempt to boost the team’s confidence, showed them clips from their previous loss at Leicester City. The strategy seemed to work, as Sunderland emerged victorious with a 3-1 win against City.
Hwang Ui-jo scored the opener for City, putting Sunderland on the backfoot. However, Trai Hume, Dan Neil, and Jack Clarke quickly turned the tide in their favor, securing the win for their team. Mowbray expressed his belief that the result was fair given the course of the game. He acknowledged the initial frustration of falling behind when City had barely threatened their half. Nevertheless, Sunderland showcased great character and responded by producing positive, attacking football to take the lead before half-time.
Mowbray emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence in the face of defeats. He revealed that the team had analyzed extensive footage from the previous match against Leicester, highlighting the rewards of playing on the front foot. This approach paid off during the game, as Sunderland suffocated City for long periods. It was only in the final 15 minutes that City posed serious questions, but Sunderland could have increased their goal tally during that late period.
The manager singled out Pierre Ekwah for a chat at half-time regarding his role in City’s goal. Ekwah momentarily stopped, assuming an offside flag for Gabriel Sara, who was clearly in an offside position but did not touch the ball. This allowed Kellen Fisher to gain possession and set up Hwang for the goal. Mowbray assured that the conversation with Ekwah was not confrontational but rather a tactical discussion. He considered it a lesson for the young player and highlighted the team’s dominance in the game.
Mowbray concluded by stating that Sunderland’s performances in recent matches warranted wins, and the victory against City was well-deserved. He expressed satisfaction with the team’s ability to break down deep defensive blocks, although he hoped for more goals from the strikers. Overall, the win served as a confidence boost for Sunderland and proved that they have the ability to secure positive results in future games.
