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  • Kick-off: 15:00
  • Venue: Stadium of Light
  • Attendance: 27918
  • Referee: Swarbrick, N

Live Commentary

90mins

That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.

90mins

Colin Healy is booked for unsporting behaviour.

89mins

Goal!! Sunderland have scored with Chris Brown putting it in the back of the net.

84mins

Paul Hayes is being taken off, Daniel Nardiello has come on in his place.

83mins

David Connolly is replaced by Grant Leadbitter.

82mins

Goal!! Dean Whitehead scores for Sunderland.

74mins

Daryl Murphy is replaced by Ross Wallace.

72mins

Brian Howard is being taken off, Colin Healy has come on in his place.

71mins

Barnsley are replacing Marc Richards with Tommy Wright.

68mins

The referee has booked Paul Reid.

46mins

The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 0.

46mins

Kenny Cunningham is replaced by Lewin Nyatanga.

45mins

Half time whistle is blown by N Swarbrick

0mins

The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Match Report

Sunderland bounced back from two successive away defeats to finally break down a stubborn Barnsley side at the Stadium of Light.

Late strikes from Dean Whitehead and Chris Brown sent the home fans away in a better mood after a dreadful match between two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Barnsley went into the game having conceded more goals than any other side in the division but, in a lack-lustre opening, they more than held their own against a home team struggling to find any consistency.

Black Cats boss Roy Keane switched Dwight Yorke into a central midfield role and, although the experienced former Manchester United striker oozed class, there was no urgency or penetration about the home side's play.

Barnsley, in fact, looked more dangerous with Brian Howard a constant threat although the Tykes, too, were unable to make much headway during a dreadful first half.

Liam Lawrence's low 20-yard drive was easily saved by Nick Colgan and a Brown header flashed just wide while Howard was twice off target at the other end.

Colgan saved in style from Whitehead's overhead kick after Daryl Murphy had headed a Nyron Nosworthy centre across the face of goal and Brown had a powerful shot blocked as Sunderland finished the first half strongly.

Kenny Cunningham clearly hadn't recovered from a hamstring injury and was replaced for the second half by Lewin Nyatanga, signed on loan in midweek from Derby County, Danny Collins switching to central defence and the youngster making his debut at left-back.

Sunderland improved after the break. Yorke released David Connolly with a shrewd pass and, when his shot was blocked, Brown fared no better from the rebound.

Two Connolly diving headers were well-saved and a low drive from Whitehead also brought out another outstanding save from Colgan.

The Black Cats increased the tempo, Keane sending on winger Ross Wallace whose cross enabled Brown to again test the overworked Colgan.

Sunderland were not to be denied however and, in the 81st minute, Lawrence finally made one of his numerous crosses count, Whitehead sweeping the ball home at the near post.

The lively Wallace then took on two defenders before delivering a deep cross for the athletic Brown to rise well and his downward header bounced into the roof of the net to put the issue beyond doubt.

Sunderland

Barnsley

Corners

52

Fouls

1011

Goal attempts

168

Shots off target

13

Offsides

41

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