Elliot Embleton came off the bench to help Sunderland produce one of the close football results of the weekend in the Championship. Prior to Carlton Morris giving the hosts the lead just before halftime, both teams were denied by the woodwork. However, the excellent Jack Clarke set up Embleton for the equalizer. The home team got off to a strong start, aiming to atone for their humiliating loss to fierce rivals Watford the previous weekend. Alfie Doughty appeared to be the favourite to convert Morris’ cross, but Dennis Cirkin’s sliding challenge prevented him from taking advantage of the opportunity. Midfielder Henri Lansbury’s low 20-yard shot missed the bottom corner, and a Black Cats turnover in their own half led to Morris forcing visiting goalkeeper Anthony Patterson into a save at his near post.
Before Luton really ought to have grabbed the lead during a period of domination, Sunderland threatened through the twinkle toes of Clarke, who was denied by Ethan Horvath. Before Doughty’s header from Amari’i Bell’s cross hit the inside of the post and Elijah Adebayo was twice denied when attempting to convert the rebound, James Bree first missed with an angled volley. On Lansbury’s whipping cross from the right, Jordan Clark then failed to connect with it adequately.
Following the restart, Black Cats goalkeeper Patterson needed to be on his toes to block an incoming inswinging cross from the right coming from Doughty. The second quarter saw limited opportunities, with Diallo again coming near by shooting into the sidenetting and Bell blocking Clarke’s calculated attempt to avert a leveller. But after 77 minutes, Sunderland equalises as Embelton scores with a stabbing move after danger man Clarke picks him out on the left. Patrick Roberts’ curling effort just missed the target as the only effort Luton could generate was a Luke Freeman volley that was deflected behind. The visitors came the closest to winning all three points.
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