The loss, which came five days after a 1-0 reverse at Leeds, means the Black Cats have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season. They remain eight points adrift of the top two, although that gap will increase if second-placed Sheffield United take anything from Monday night’s game against leaders Leeds.
Today’s defeat was largely of Sunderland’s own making, with Anthony Patterson’s 18th-minute own goal proving decisive. Patterson got his hands on Joe Gelhardt’s inswinging corner, but only succeeded in fumbling the ball into his own net.
The Black Cats were out of sorts for most of the game, with passes going astray and poorly-hit crosses being cut out by the Hull defence. Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda both failed to find the target with decent second-half chances, but Sunderland’s attacking play lacked its usual fluency and a Hull side that started the day one point outside the relegation zone were able to shut out their opponents with surprising ease.
Sunderland started the game reasonably brightly, popping around slick short passes, but their early dominance quickly dissipated in the face of some solid Hull defending.
Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham both had early shots blocked, and as they played themselves into the game, so Hull’s players became visibly more confident.
Gelhardt swept in a 20-yard shot that was saved by Patterson, but it was to be the former Sunderland loanee’s set-piece delivery that led to the visitors claiming the lead in the 18th minute.
Gelhardt whipped a superb delivery towards the front post, and the slightest of nicks off Patrick Roberts, who was stood next to the upright, completed flummoxed Patterson.
The Sunderland goalkeeper went to make what looked like a routine catch, but the ball squirmed from his grasp and dropped over the goalline. Patterson had been partially at fault for Leeds’ headed winner at Elland Road on Monday night, but this was a complete howler from the Black Cats keeper.
In fairness, Gelhardt’s whipped deliveries would have asked questions of any opposition shot-stopper, and the forward was at it again six minutes later.
Another corner was whipped in from the same side of the pitch, but this time Patterson just about managed to scramble the ball to safety from under his own crossbar.
Luke O’Nien had the ball in the net at the other end as Sunderland tried to find a way back into the game, but the centre-half had strayed well offside before heading home Enzo Le Fee’s free-kick.
Dan Ballard headed Chris Rigg’s chipped cross straight at Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur on the stroke of half-time, but there was a lack of fluency to much of Sunderland’s attacking that meant Hull were able to defend their lead without suffering too many scares.
Regis Le Bris responded by throwing on Romaine Mundle at half-time, with the winger replacing Lee Fee, and the Black Cats boss was forced to make another change four minutes into the second half when Dan Ballard suffered what appeared to be a muscular injury as he stretched to block a shot. Chris Mepham came on to replace the stricken centre-half.
Sunderland needed a spark to get them back into the game, but when Isidor was presented with a great opportunity just before the hour mark, he was found wanting. Trai Hume hung up a cross from the right, and Isidor headed wide at the back post.
Patterson saved from Kyle Jospeh as Hull offered an occasional threat on the break – Matt Crooks backheeled the rebound into the net, but was rightly flagged offside – before Sunderland wasted another fine chance with 16 minutes remaining.
Isidor won the ball deep in the Hull half, but substitute Mayenda dragged a shot wide of the post from just outside the 18-yard box.
