Ben Cabango’s goal on the hour mark was enough to secure all three points for Swansea.
Here’s how the game played out and the main talking points:
TWO AREAS OF CONCERN FOR LE BRIS
On the eve of this game, Regis Le Bris again stressed the importance of finishing the season in form and going into the play-offs on a high.
This was not the type of performance he’ll have wanted or expected.
Sunderland were flat, lacking ideas and energy throughout and can have no complaints at the outcome, with Swansea – much improved over recent weeks – snatching all three points thanks to Ben Cabango’s goal just before the hour mark.
Le Bris will not only be concerned about the general display but also his side’s lack of cutting edge. That’s now two games in a row without a goal for the Black Cats, who have scored just three times in their last six outings. Wilson Isidor returned to the starting XI in place of Eliezer Mayenda and had an early goal chalked off. Other than that, he barely threatened. It’s now nine appearances without a goal for the striker.
UNEVENTFUL FIRST HALF
Riveting the first half was not.
Flat, uneventful and goalless.
Swansea, fresh from their midweek win over bottom club Plymouth in midweek, started the better of the two sides, and created a good opportunity inside a couple of minutes when a cross from the left was only cleared as far as Lewis O’Brien but the loanee scuffed his shot. That was followed by a slice when another chance fell the midfielder’s way.
Sunderland’s only real opportunity in the opening 45 minutes came just before the half hour mark when Tommy Watson robbed Josh Key of possession inside the Swansea box but was denied by the legs of goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
That was Sunderland’s only shot on target, with both sides managing a total of just 13 touches in the opposition box in the opening 45 minutes.
SECOND HALF
And Sunderland didn’t get much better after the break. The hosts continued to lack ideas and invention in the final third, and found themselves behind just before the hour mark.
A delivery from the right – which came from a free-kick award that Sunderland felt was soft – was met by Harry Darling and after his header crashed back off the bar Swansea captain Ben Cabango was on hand to bundle home the rebound.
Le Bris immediately turned to his bench, introducing Enzo Le Fee and Eliezer Mayenda for Harrison Jones and Chris Rigg.
And the changes sparked an improvement. Le Fee released Mayenda, whose shot was blocked. Mayenda was lively and Le Fee bright, another encouraging cameo as his return to action is closely managed by Le Bris.
Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic were also introduced for Neil and Watson, who was booed by some fans as he made way.
Sunderland pushed for a late equaliser but failed to create any chances of note.
JONES OPPORTUNITY
In his press conference on Friday, Le Bris was running through his midfield options and namechecked Harrison Jones. After his appearance from the bench on Tuesday at Norwich, it was another indication that the youngster is now firmly considered as a first team player.
Confirmation came on Saturday afternoon when Jones was named in the Sunderland starting XI for the first time in the Championship this season.
Jones lasted an hour, and while the youngster may well have been slightly frustrated at not being able to make more of an impact, it was another forward step for the 20-year-old.
