Sunderland maintained their superb start to the Sky Bet Championship campaign after goals from Jobe Bellingham and Wilson Isidor secured a 2-0 win over Derby.
Bellingham’s long-range effort gave the hosts a deserved lead shortly before the interval and Isidor’s near-post finish secured the points 10 minutes after the break.
The visitors had chances to reduce the deficit in the latter stages but were unable to score against a Sunderland side still yet to concede at home this season.
Derby had started the better of the two sides, catching Sunderland out with their aggressive high press. They had an early chance to take the lead when Kane Wilson got free on the right flank, his low cross was met by Marcus Harness and only just cleared by Sunderland in front of their own goal.
It took a while for the home side to settle but they began to turn the screw as the half went on, increasingly capitalising on Derby’s persistent sloppiness in midfield.
Bellingham should have scored when he met Dennis Cirkin’s cross unmarked on the penalty spot, with his header going wide of the far post with Jacob Zetterstrom well beaten.
Romaine Mundle then fired a first-time shot just wide of the far post from the edge of the box after Chris Rigg pounced on a loose ball.
Derby’s struggle to retain possession eventually cost them five minutes before the break, Bellingham gathering a loose ball before arrowing a stunning effort into the top corner from 20 yards.
The Black Cats doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Bellingham found Mundle on the left flank and his low cross was converted at the near post by Isidor.
With two goals in two starts over a matter of days, the Zenit St Petersburg loanee is beginning to look a real find for a side that has long struggled to produce regular goals from their centre forward.
Paul Warne responded to Isidor’s strike with a quadruple substitution that sparked a strong reaction, and Derby should have halved the deficit when Eiran Cashin’s close-range header was superbly saved by Anthony Patterson, Craig Forsyth then turning the rebound wide.
Sunderland had already survived one let off from a set play when substitute Nathaniel Mendez-Laing fired straight at Patterson following a short-corner routine moments earlier.
Regis Le Bris’ side were able to ride out that wave of pressure and managed seven minutes of additional time with ease, securing another three points that underlines their promotion credentials.
[(Racing Club de Avellaneda) Strength]: 1. Racing Club de Avellaneda lost their first encounter 0-1, so they cannot afford any loss this time and must go all out to win, fully motivated.2. In the last domestic league game, Adrian Balboa performed well and scored the first goal to put the team ahead.3. Racing Club de Avellaneda scored 5 goals and conceded 5 in the last 5 games with good performance...
[(Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) Strength]: 1. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors performed stably across all competitions this season. Since April, the team have remained unbeaten in the last 20 matches.2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at halftime in 4 consecutive games, getting into form quickly on offense.3. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors scored at least 2 goals per game in 5 consecutive matches, showing strong attack.4....
[(Velez Sarsfield) Strength]: 1. During their first encounter, Velez Sarsfield played a goalless draw. In this home game, they vow to grab a win and advance, with full motivation.2. Braian Romero withstood the pressure in the last game and scored a penalty in the final moment, helping the team seal a last-gasp victory.3. Velez Sarsfield defeated Club Atletico Independiente 2-1 in the last game, wh...
[(Ferencvaros) Strength]: 1. Ferencvaros are motivated to win this home game and take the lead in advancing.2. Cadu scored a goal in the last game, once helping the team tie the game.3. Ferencvaros received 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 home games, revealing outstanding home performances.4. Ferencvaros scored 11 goals and conceded 3 in the last 5 games, boasting excellent attack and solid defens...
[(Gwangju FC) Strength]: 1. The first leg of the Semi-finals will see Gwangju FC play at home first. They hope to grab the advantage, with full motivation.2. Gwangju FC forward Reis scored twice in the last game, being in good form.3. Gwangju FC performed well and scored a 2-0 win over Daejeon Hana Citizen in hte last game, thus getting back on the winning ways.4. AH market provided home team a -1...
[(FC Machida Zelvia) Strength]: 1. In the last league game, Korean internationals Oh Se Hun and Na Sang Ho both scored in open play, showing decent performances.2. This game is FC Machida Zelvia's fourth consecutive home game, which is in favor of them.3. FC Machida Zelvia won 3-0 over Cerezo Osaka in the last league game, securing a 10-game winning streak across all competitions.4. FC Machida Zel...
[(Crvena Zvezda) Strength]: 1. Crvena Zvezda vow to win this home game in order to grab the advancing advantage, with full motivation.2. Aleksandar Katai performed very well in the last domestic league game. He scored a hat-trick in a win for the team.3. Crvena Zvezda defeated Mladost Lucani 4-1 in the last domestic league game. They achieved 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 games, being in red-hot...
[(Sao Paulo FC) Strength]: 1. Sao Paulo FC drew with Atletico Nacional in the first leg on the road. They will advance to the next round if they win this round at home, indicating full motivation to win.2. Sao Paulo FC signed Serie A team Atalanta BC captain Rafael Toloi recently. He is expected to make his debut in this match.3. Sao Paulo FC drew 2-2 with Sport Club do Recife in the last league g...
[(Chengdu Rongcheng FC) Strength]: 1. Chengdu Rongcheng FC drew 0-0 with Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in the last Chinese Super League, ending their winning streak. However, the team were unbeaten with 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 games, showing commendable performances.2. Chengdu Rongcheng FC scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games, revealing outstanding attack at home.3. Chengdu Rongcheng FC are now ...
[(Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Strength]: 1. Sanfrecce Hiroshima have achieved 14 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses in the league so far this season. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 18 goals in 26 league matches, and currently rank 5th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game and have a strong desire to win.2. Naoto Arai, the main defender of Sanfrecce Hiroshima, has performed stea...
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