Sunderland began the year with a statement 2-1 victory against promotion rivals Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light.
Kieffer Moore missed from the spot just 13 minutes in to give his side an early advantage on a day that had seen Leeds United and Burnley drop points earlier in the afternoon.
A manic eight minutes soon after, captured the pulsating nature of a first half that saw Mayenda punish Jack Robinson’s lax defending to open the scoring, Luke O’Nien head the ball into the back of his own net and Wilson Isidor restore Sunderland’s lead in the opening exchanges.
Three goals in the game could have easily been more with both sides contributing to an entertaining clash with missed opportunities at both ends.
The win for Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland moves them within two points of the Blades in the race for the automatic promotion positions, while Chris Wider’s side slumped to a third game without a win, failing to capitalise on Leeds and Burnley’s earlier dropped points and move into second.
The Blades, wearied by an injury crisis were in charge of the early exchanges and could have taken the lead after Moore was dragged down by O’Nien in the Sunderland area. Moore’s spot-kick was saved by Anthony Patterson, in a moment that sparked Sunderland into life.
Moments later, the home side had the lead as Mayenda capitalised on a questionable touch from Robinson to run through one-on-one to slot through the opener. Gustavo Hamer responded to his side’s setback by forcing the issue in the hopes of regaining control.
Sheffield United found an equaliser as Hamer’s cross into the area cannoned off O’Nien’s head into his own goal. But just like the penalty save, Sunderland found life after the score levelled as Le Bris’ side charged up the field to allow Isidor to take the ball past Anel Ahmedhodzic and fire his side back into the lead.
While there were no goals after the half-time interval, the two sides both continued to threaten the opposition net with chances galore.
Rhian Brewster came close to an equaliser but dragged his effort wide just past the hour mark. Jobe Bellingham also nearly joined the goalscoring fun but fluffed his lines by firing over the bar from inside the penalty area.
The final minutes were just as frantic as the first with the Blades taking charge to muster something from the game, but their efforts were to no avail.
The managers
Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris:
To follow…
Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder:
To follow…
