Sunderland 1 – 0 Portsmouth

Sunderland stored themselves within the race for promotion within the Sky Wager Championship after a slender 1-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Wilson Isidor scored the one objective early on the Stadium of Gentle, which was sufficient to make it back-to-back wins in 2025 for Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats.

The consequence retains Sunderland on the tail of the highest three. They’re fourth within the desk on 50 factors, two behind Burnley and Sheffield United in second and third and three behind leaders Leeds.

It’s a robust place to be in forward of their journey to Burnley of their subsequent Championship recreation on Friday January 17 – which is dwell on Sky Sports activities.

In-form Isidor sweeps in early Sunderland winner

It didn’t take lengthy for Sunderland to take the lead. Isidor is a person in type and it confirmed on seven minutes as he raced via the center, latching onto a wise go from Eliezer Mayenda earlier than lashing one into the nook of the online.

Sunderland had different possibilities, too. Patrick Roberts ought to have carried out higher on 19 minutes than see his heeled try cleared off the road after sensible work from Adil Aouchiche, after which Mayenda was fed by Isidor however may solely lash into the aspect of the online on the stroke of half-time.

On 67 minutes any hopes of a Portsmouth comeback had been ended as Marlon Pack was despatched off. A combination-up on the again noticed Isidor spring away with a transparent run at objective and the Pompey captain pulled him down. The referee had no alternative however to indicate him a straight pink card.

The consequence leaves Portsmouth outdoors the underside three on objectives scored alone, though they do have video games in hand on all the perimeters beneath them.

The managers

Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris:

“It was the fifth recreation in 15 days with a small squad. We will not anticipate an amazing degree of play throughout the entire recreation, it is inconceivable. We confirmed we needed to win and had been linked.

“It is good for us as a result of even when we did not rating the second objective we confirmed our consistency. It is good for a younger crew as a result of they may have misplaced their emotional management, however we did not.”

“[Isidor] may be very gifted, however he is additionally proven he is a tough employee and an amazing team-mate. We spoke usually concerning the confidence of our strikers. It is nonetheless like that. When you can hold a excessive degree, it is higher.

“A very powerful factor is the best way they behave as a team-mate and if you’re linked, even when you battle for a brief interval, you realize you might be working for the crew and your team-mates will know that and can provide help to.”

Portsmouth’s John Mousinho:

“There’s undoubtedly an air of positivity within the altering room. We have taken one of many high sides within the league with glorious gamers proper to the wire, with 10 males as effectively.

“Even earlier than the final 10 minutes, I assumed we had been respectable worth. Total, I am actually happy.

“They caught us early, however as soon as we settled again into the sport, I used to be pleased with what we did and we had some half possibilities.

“The work fee, tenacity and want that we did not see at Ashton Gate was all there at present.”