Sunderland Battle Hard In Key Play-Off Meeting
Sunderland produced a battling performance against fellow play-off contenders Hull City before slipping to defeat in the latest round of EFL Championship games at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were bidding to bounce back from a loss at title-chasing Ipswich in the previous game, and were seeking to do the double over Hull after a 1-0 win away win late last year.
In a game of few shots on target, Anthony Patterson denied Lewie Coyne in the only first half chance of real note for either side, with Sunderland then going close after the break when a fine effort from outside the box from Trai Hume was tipped over the bar by Hull ‘keeper Ryan Allsop.
The game seemed to be heading towards a draw but when Sunderland were unable to clear a corner with 20 minutes to go, Tyler Morton crossed for Fabio Carvalho to volley in for Hull – albeit only with the help of a wicked deflection that took the ball away from Patterson.
Hull defended hard through the closing stages to secure the points, with Sunderland sitting three points off the play-off places going into a home game with Stoke City at the weekend.