SUNDERLAND 1
Hume 20
MILLWALL 0
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris wants his Championship promotion-chasing side to build momentum heading into the final weeks of the season after beating Millwall at the Stadium of Light.
Trai Hume scored the only goal of the game for the Black Cats to strengthen their grip on fourth place, with a place in the play-offs now seeming increasingly likely.
Victory comes following a 3-0 defeat to Coventry City and a draw against Preston North End prior to the international break.
Afterwards, Le Bris expressed his delight with his side’s reaction.
Momentum
He said: “It’s a new chapter, we cannot waste time.
“It’s important to build this momentum and be accurate, precise for every single minute we play now because the end of the season will be tough.
“The games we play will be very tight; every detail counts, and we need to build this momentum now to be ready for the end of the season.
“After the defeat at Coventry, we could’ve struggled a bit more.
“When the confidence is dropping very deep, sometimes it’s difficult to react and to restart the team.
“This step was important, and so far we’ve always showed good reaction after defeats.”
Match action
Sunderland were quickly out of the blocks and soon created an excellent opportunity when Chris Rigg played a through ball into Isidor on the right, and Millwall keeper Lukas Jensen needed to be alert to claw his shot away.
The rebound fell into the path of Jobe Bellingham, who saw his tame attempt blocked.
Patrick Roberts’ curling strike was deflected behind as Sunderland continued to push, and their impressive start was rewarded in the 20th minute.
Roberts launched a pinpoint cross into Hume on the left, and he smashed home a first-time strike into the bottom corner.
Former Black Cat Aaron Connolly sent a free-kick from outside the box over the crossbar as Millwall looked to respond, and an acrobatic effort from Japhet Tanganga was easily held by Nathan Patterson.
Second half
Following a scrappy start to the second half, the hosts suddenly sprung into action when Bellingham had an effort blocked and Jensen made a great stop to tip Isidor’s powerful header from close range over the bar.
The hosts had a penalty claim waved away after Dan Neil went down in the box and Bellingham saw another powerful strike cleared away.
Millwall then threatened as Tristan Crama crossed into Josh Coburn, but the forward headed straight at Patterson.
Sunderland began to push, and Romaine Mundle’s shot was blocked following an intricate move on the edge of the box before Hume blasted narrowly over the bar from distance.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the final 10 minutes of the match when Mundle was brought down in the box, but Luke O’Nien’s low spot-kick was easily palmed away by Danish stopper Jensen as the outcome of the match remained in the balance.
Millwall searched for a late equaliser, but substitute Mihailo Ivanovic’s low attempt was blocked in stoppage time as Sunderland held on.
Cardiff City
Omer Riza is proud of his Cardiff City troops
Championship
OLIVER’S SET FOR BIG STEP
