Kyril Louis-Dreyfus reference, ex-Sunderland boss spotted at Stoke match plus classy message to Lynden Gooch
After Sunderland’s 3-1 victory over Stoke, head coach Michael Beale felt less pressured, and there was much to talk about.
The Black Cats gained three crucial points to climb back up to seventh place in the Championship standings, behind Coventry in sixth place on goal differential. Some of the moments you might have missed are listed below:
After a section of the home crowd turned on Beale during the side’s 1-0 defeat against Hull, tensions remained high ahead of the Stoke fixture.
In the early stages of the match, a banner in the Roker End read: ‘High performance culture from the background noise.’ It referred to comments made by Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus following the sacking of Tony Mowbray last month.
O’Nien and Patterson keep Stoke out
The opening goal was always going to be crucial, while Stoke had three big chances to take the lead in the 34th minute. First, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson kept out Luke Cundle’s effort from close range, before Luke O’Nien cleared Bae Jun-ho’s shot on the line. Cundle then fired the follow-up effort over the crossbar, before Patterson and O’Nien exchanged a chest bump following some last-ditch defending.
Appreciation for Lynden Gooch
After leaving Sunderland to join Stoke in the summer, following 11 years on Wearside, Lynden Gooch made an emotional return to the Stadium of Light.
In an interview in Sunderland’s pre-match programme, O’Nien said: I want to extend a very warm welcome to Lynden Gooch who makes his first return to Wearside this afternoon. Goochy was an outstanding servant for the club, and I have no doubt he will get a great reception from you all today.”
Gooch was indeed applauded by the Sunderland fans during the pre-match warm-up and received a standing ovation from the home crowd when he was substituted in the 85th minute.
Ex-Sunderland boss in attendance
Former Sunderland boss Peter Reid was in attendance at the Stadium of Light. The former Black Cats boss, who managed the club between 1995 and 2002, also posted a picture of himself with Jobe and Jude Bellingham after the game, with the caption: “Good to meet these gentlemen today at the SOL.”
Real Madrid star Jude has attended multiple Sunderland matches this season to see his younger brother in action.
Beale was also unable to call upon Adil Aouchiche due to illness and Jewison Bennette because he is scheduled to join Greek team Aris Thessaloniki on loan, while Sunderland was without Alex Pritchard, who has submitted a transfer request.
As a result, 20-year-old defender Ben Crompton, 17-year-old winger Tom Watson, and striker Eliezer Mayenda were all forced back to the bench.
Watson earned his first professional deal with Sunderland last year, and he made his senior debut for the team when he came off the bench during a league game against Huddersfield. Having played regularly for Sunderland’s under-21 team the previous two seasons, Crompton made his senior debut against Crewe in August’s Carabao Cup game.
Read also; Critical Player Ratings: Sunderland Secures Crucial Three Points Against Stoke with a 3-1 Victory
