Sunderland boss Alex Neil is refusing to look too far ahead after seeing his side take a slender first-leg advantage in their League One play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday.Ross Stewart’s 25th goal of the season extended the Black Cats’ unbeaten run to 14 games with a 1-0 win in front of a crowd of 44,742 at the Stadium of Light to hand them a narrow lead ahead of Monday&...Full Story »

Ross Stewart’s 25th goal of the season handed Sunderland a lead to defend against Sheffield Wednesday in their quest for a place in the League One play-off final.The forward’s strike in added time at the end of the first half secured a 1-0 semi-final, first-leg victory at the Stadium of Light to take into Monday’s return at Hillsborough.Alex Neil’s men might have won more...Full Story »

Sunderland boss Alex Neil plans to make a late call on the fitness of forward Nathan Broadhead for Friday night’s Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final first leg against Sheffield Wednesday.Everton loanee Broadhead was forced off with a muscle problem in the Black Cats’ final regular-season game against Morecambe and is now in a race to be fit for the crucial match at the Stadium of...Full Story »

'Newcastle fan' urinates on statue of Sunderland legend Bob Stokoe as supporters outraged A so-called Newcastle United fan has sparked widespread outrage after urinating on the statue of Sunderland legend Bob Stokoe. Footage of the disgusting act was shared on social media, with the Magpies 'supporter' proudly posing in broad daylight in his away shirt. Urged to 'show them what you're made of'...Full Story »

Alex Neil admitted it was a case of “job done” after Sunderland secured a play-off spot with a 1-0 win at Morecambe.A goal from Nathan Broadhead earned the Black Cats the three points they needed to seal a place in the top seven in Sky Bet League One, while Morecambe survived the drop as both Gillingham and Fleetwood lost.Neil claimed his side were far from their best in a nervy game...Full Story »

Sunderland booked their place in the play-offs with a 1-0 victory at Morecambe, who secured their Sky Bet League One safety.The Black Cats took the points with the only goal of the game in the 10th minute through in-form forward Nathan Broadhead.Morecambe lost the ball in midfield and the on-loan Everton striker took full advantage to run in on goal and slot the ball past goalkeeper Trevor Carso...Full Story »

Defender Ryan McLaughlin is still sidelined for Morecambe as they prepare to host Sunderland.Shrimps’ manager Derek Adams confirmed that there is another player who will miss the Black Cats clash, but he did not name them.Aside from those two absences, the team are otherwise “good to go” according to Adams.Going into the final game of the season Morecambe are just two points ab...Full Story »

Rotherham’s hopes of all but guaranteeing an automatic promotion place were dashed in remarkable fashion as Michael Ihiekwe’s 88th-minute own goal resulted in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.Having opened the scoring from a corner at the other end in the first half, Ihiekwe arrowed a header into his own net as he attempted to deal with Jack Clarke’s cross. The result means Rotherham a...Full Story »

Sunderland are set to be without Carl Winchester for their vital home clash with Rotherham on Tuesday.The influential midfielder limped off after just 10 minutes of Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Cambridge with a groin injury.Callum Doyle replaced Winchester against Cambridge and the Manchester City loanee could start with fourth-placed Sunderland aiming to take a giant step towards the Sky B...Full Story »

Alex Neil felt Sunderland produced the best performance of his Stadium of Light reign as they thrashed 10-man Cambridge 5-1 to climb to fourth position in the League One table.The Black Cats made the most of the 12th-minute dismissal of Cambridge defender Lloyd Jones as they claimed their biggest win under Neil.Ross Stewart scored twice, with Elliot Embleton, Nathan Broadhead and Danny Batth als...Full Story »

Sunderland gave their play-off hopes a major boost in Sky Bet League One as they thrashed 10-man Cambridge United 5-1 at the Stadium of Light.The visitors had to play for almost 80 minutes with a man disadvantage after Lloyd Jones was dismissed for a foul on Ross Stewart, and the Black Cats exploited their numerical superiority ruthlessly.Stewart ended an eight-game goal drought by scoring twice...Full Story »

Alex Pritchard is expected to be available for Sunderland as they prepare to host Cambridge.The midfielder missed the Easter fixtures with a calf problem but Black Cats boss Alex Neil confirmed that Pritchard could feature against the U’s.Defender Callum Doyle and goalkeeper Thorben Hoffmann could also come back into contention after both have been sidelined with illness.Midfielder Leon Da...Full Story »

Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher was frustrated to miss out on a victory over Sunderland that would have boosted his side’s hopes of sneaking into Sky Bet League One’s automatic promotion places following a goalless draw at Home Park.Both the Pilgrims and their visitors were looking to enhance their promotion prospects but are now likely to have to focus on securing their place in the...Full Story »

Plymouth drew 0-0 with Sky Bet League One play-off rivals Sunderland as both sides missed an opportunity to boost their slim hopes of sneaking into the automatic promotion places.Argyle were able to recall top scorer Ryan Hardie and he came closest to scoring in the first half, sending a 41st-minute header just past the post from Conor Grant’s pacy cross.The home side had the best of the f...Full Story »

Joe Edwards and Ryan Hardie are unlikely to be involved when Plymouth host Sunderland in a clash between the two Sky Bet League One play-off hopefuls on Monday.Captain Edwards missed the trip to Wycombe on Good Friday with an ankle issue, while top scorer Hardie has not played since the end of March due to a thigh injury.Jordon Garrick will continue to deputise up front if Hardie is ruled out on...Full Story »

Alex Neil admitted the “best and worst” of Sunderland was on display as his Sky Bet League One play-off hopefuls claimed another stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory over Shrewsbury.The hosts looked like cruising to a comprehensive win at the Stadium of Light when goals from Elliot Embleton and Nathan Broadhead established a two-goal advantage in the opening 15 minutes.However, Sund...Full Story »

Play-off chasing Sunderland claimed a dramatic late winner for the third Sky Bet League One game in a row as Nathan Broadhead’s stoppage-time header secured a 3-2 win over Shrewsbury.The Black Cats looked destined for a frustrating afternoon after second-half goals from Josh Vela and former Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan wiped out the two-goal advantage secured through early strikes from...Full Story »

Alex Pritchard could feature for Sunderland as they prepare to host Shrewsbury in Sky Bet League One.The midfielder was absent for the 2-1 win against Oxford at the weekend due to a calf issue but it is hoped he can be involved against the Shrews.There are no other fresh injury concerns for Alex Neil’s side.Aiden McGeady is also edging closer to a return for the Black Cats and could return...Full Story »

Sunderland boss Alex Neil reiterated the importance of substitutes after Elliot Embleton snatched a priceless late winner in the triumph at fellow Sky Bet League One play-off hopefuls Oxford.Embleton fired home from Ross Stewart’s pass in  the 89th minute, just three minutes after Neil sent him on, to give the Black Cats a 2-1 victory that greatly boosts their play-off hopes.Captain C...Full Story »

Oxford hope to welcome back midfielder Cameron Brannagan for the visit of promotion rivals Sunderland.Brannagan suffered a head injury in training and missed successive defeats by Plymouth and Morecambe as Oxford slipped from fifth to eighth in Sky Bet League One.Elliott Moore has also been absent through illness, with U’s boss Karl Robinson suggesting he will play a back three when the de...Full Story »