English Soccer News

Burnley 1-3 Sunderland: Will Grigg scores as Black Cats cause upset

Will Grigg equalised for Sunderland 10 minutes before the break

League One side Sunderland scored two goals in three second-half minutes as they came from behind to win at Burnley and reach the Carabao Cup third round.

Jay Rodriguez slotted the Premier League hosts ahead from the edge of the box after Matej Vydra’s run and pass.

Aaron Lennon and Vydra hit the post as Burnley chased a second but Sunderland levelled with Will Grigg’s neat finish.

The visitors led when Tom Flanagan headed home and George Dobson side-footed a third to complete the shock.

Sean Dyche’s Clarets, who made 10 changes and gave Danny Drinkwater his debut, searched for a way back into the tie – Kevin Long’s header saved by Lee Burge and Chris Wood rolling just wide – but they managed just three shots on target in all.

Sunderland, who remain unbeaten this season, made eight changes of their own and fell behind despite a bright start – Rodriguez drilling across Burge on his first start since rejoining from West Brom this summer.

The home side came very close to doubling their advantage, Lennon’s low shot coming off the left-hand post before Vydra’s rebound struck the right post.

But Northern Ireland striker Grigg was left unmarked to equalise against the run of play, and Jack Ross’ side caught Burnley cold after the break to score from two short corners.

Former England keeper Joe Hart could only parry Lynden Gooch’s shot for Black Cats captain Flanagan to score, and Dobson’s first goal since joining from Walsall this summer gave the visitors an unexpected buffer.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross to BBC Radio 5 Live: “We rode our luck in a period in the first half.

“The game swings at times. We started well but had a sticky patch, then we started to look a bit more threatening. We have good players.

“We felt we have made big strides in changing the culture at the club. Fans have endured some tough times but to watch their team win at a Premier League team is nice for them.”

Burnley manager Sean Dyche, speaking to BBC Lancashire: “We should have been two up at half-time. It goes to show the clinical edge of football is the important part.

“We let a poor goal in the first half, which was a mistake, and the first five minutes of the second half for an experienced group is poor on two set pieces. The third goal was mystifying. For a very experienced group to be all standing on the six-yard line is unacceptable.

“Second half there were not enough players actively taking the game on. The last half an hour is why [some of the players playing do not start many games] because you have got to lay down a marker.”

Tags
Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button
Close