Sunderland will go into the second leg of their play-off semi-final with a narrow lead after they beat Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light. Ross Stewart scored the only goal of the game in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Sunderland deserved their win and might have added further goals. Alex Pritchard hit the bar in the second half, and Dennis Cirkin headed over when he should have scored.
Wednesday piled on the pressure late in the game but Sunderland held firm. And that means the Black Cats have the edge as they prepare for the return game at Hillsborough on Monday.
READ MORE: Recap Sunderland's win over Sheffield Wednesday how it happened
Here's how James Hunter rated the Sunderland players
Anthony Patterson 6
Little to do, but was solid when called upon
Lynden Gooch 7
Got forward from right-back and put in a few dangerous crosses
Bailey Wright 7
Very solid at the heart of defence
Danny Batth 7
Complemented Wright perfectly
Dennis Cirkin 7
A strong performance on his return to the side, helped set up the goal, and should have scored himself
Luke O'Nien 6
Worked hard in central midfield
Corry Evans 7
Read the game well and controlled the midfield area
Patrick Roberts 8
Caused all kinds of problems from the right flank, and brought a couple of saves out of Peacock-Farrell
Alex Pritchard 8
Tortured Wednesday all evening, starting off the move that led to the goal, and later hit the bar
Jack Clarke 7
Quiet in the first half but improved in the second
Ross Stewart 7
Forced the mistake which brought his goal, and at times Wednesday could not handle him
Subs
Jay Matete N/A
For Pritchard 80mins.
Elliot Embleton N/A
For Roberts 81mins.
Callum Doyle N/A
For Clarke 90+3mins.
Not used: Hoffmann, Neil, McGeady, Hume
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