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“Excellent”: Phil Smith’s Sunderland player ratings in the captivating Blackburn draw, including a notable 9
On Boxing Day, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers tied 2-2.
At Ewood Park on Boxing Day, Harry Leonard’s late equalizer prevented Sunderland from pulling off yet another incredible comeback triumph.
After Yuki Ohashi gave Blackburn Rovers a well-earned halftime lead, goals from Chris Rigg and Wilson Isidor turned the game on its head, but Leonard’s goal meant the two clubs split the points in a thrilling match.
Sunderland entered the match in excellent form, but Blackburn got off to a stronger start because they were well-organized in their press and had a powerful counterattack. The Black Cats were unable to pick up Tyrhys Dolan’s movement as he drifted infield, therefore John Eustace’s choice to include him was a wise one. He had room to drive toward goal when the hosts discovered him.
He scooped up the ball and nutmegged Dennis Cirkin, launching his shot over the bar from within the area, which should have put Blackburn ahead.
Nevertheless, Dolan once more found space and set up Lewis Baker on the overlap, so the hosts didn’t have to wait long for their first. Before Yuki Ohashi could convert from close range, his attempt was deflected into the six-yard box. When Ohashi scored on goal within minutes, it could have been two, but Beck failed to make a solid connection after the striker’s assist.
Opportunities for the visitors were few and far between, even as Blackburn’s chances decreased and Sunderland started to see a lot more of the ball in advanced areas. When a loose ball rattled about the Blackburn box, Dom Hyam was lucky that his reckless clearance went narrowly wide of the far post, which was their closest chance to score.
Blackburn held a lead at halftime, but Dan Neil had created some space with some great midfield passes.
The fact that Sunderland was ahead within ten minutes of the restart in spite of everything says a lot about this team. Roberts got clear down the right after Blackburn’s push misfired for the first time and Rigg won his header. Isidor met Neil’s low cross after he overlapped, and Rigg continued to run, driving home a low attempt on his weaker foot despite Pears’s excellent blocking.
Then, with a bold move, Neil caught a loose ball and released Roberts, leaving the winger free to drive to the byline. Isidor then boldly backheeled his low cross into the far corner, throwing the 7,577-man away end into a frenzy.
Mepham and Rigg both missed headers from close range as Sunderland ran amok and should have increased their advantage. In the end, Blackburn equalized when the visitors failed to clear a cross to the back post, leaving the Black Cats to lament that carelessness. Harry Leonard, a replacement, received the ball and scored the equalizer.
Mayenda raced free from a Blackburn corner, but he delayed the shot too long, allowing Pears to block, giving Sunderland another great chance in a breathless finish to the match.
Then, to preserve a point for his team, the home goalie made a great stop against Roberts and palmed the ball out of danger.
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