The Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland AFC based in Tyne & Wear and play their trade in the Championship. Nicknamed the “Black Cats” with their supporters nicknamed the “Mackems” which is also associated with people from the City of Sunderland.
It’s one of England’s most historic clubs here today! A Premier League make stay for most of my time growing up but the club were relegated into League One in 2018 spending 4 years down there before finally winning at Wembley against Wycombe Wanderers in 2022. Sunderland could go into third with a win against Stoke City today! Could they return to the Premier League this season?
Up the A1 and into Storm Darragh… And into Sunderland! Parked up thanks to JustPark and now the short walk to the ground.
£29 for this one! Not too bad! The ground is filling up nicely and out come the teams! It’s Sunderland vs Stoke! BABY I’M READY TO GO!!!
Kick Off! 6 minutes in and Koumas chases a long ball played forward and he’s through on goal here for Stoke, he gets into the box and shoots… Saved but he’ll get the rebound… He’s found the net! Stoke lead and stuns the Stadium of Light! 0-1!
2 minutes later and Sunderland bomb forward, Tommy Watson drives and shoots from the edge of the box… AND SCORES!! That’s how you respond to going a goal down!!! 1-1!!
Sunderland have control of the game. Stoke struggling to cope with the Black Cats’ attacking intensity. 40 minutes, Sunderland down the left and here’s a cross, Isidor is there… He’s put it wide! What a chance!!
On the brink of halftime now and after some good interplay in the final third, Watson goes for goal from the edge of the box… OH! It cannons off the far post. At half time, Sunderland somehow aren’t in front! It’s 1-1 at half time.
Second half, Sunderland continue to look the more dangerous of the two sides. Roberts’ pace and vision are a constant threat on the right wing, and Isidor remains a handful up front. Despite the attacking pressure, Stoke’s defence hold firm for now.
79th minute, Sunderland play down the right again, it’s crossed in and Sunderland win the header… It’s bundled in… But the flag is up and it won’t count…
85th minute, Patrick Roberts makes another driving run into the Stoke penalty area, he squares it to Tommy Watson, he gets his shot away… Deflected… IT’S THERE!!! The Stadium of Light goes into raptures!! The deflection wrong-foots the keeper, and Sunderland are 2–1 up!
Stoke have a few minutes to mount a response… But Sunderland hold on for the win!
FT: Sunderland 2-1 Stoke City
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – Sunderland fans very good today, I do think they could be better though!
- The Ground: 10/10 – Love it! A huge ground and one of the iconic grounds of the UK!!
- Expense: 8/10 – £29 not too bad in this day and age but do think it should be cheaper!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Great to tick this one off at long last and great to see goals in really bad conditions!
34/40