MATCH REPORT | SUNDERLAND VICTORIOUS AT TANNADICE

Dundee United 0-2 Sunderland
3pm, Saturday 16th July
Tannadice Park  

United beaten in tough test at Tannadice.  

Sunderland ran out 2-0 winners thanks to two second-half goals.  

First-Half

It was United who almost made their high press count early on. Tony Watt did well on numerous occasions to put the Sunderland Goalkeeper Patterson in some difficult situations. However, the ball never broke kindly for a tangerine shirt to win the follow up.
 
Watt continued to look lively throughout the first half, linking up well with Smith and Meekison down the left-hand side.
 
Ross Stewart went close to opening the scoring for the away side. Some neat footwork on the edge of the box set up Stewart with a teasing cross – however, the Scotland international headed just wide.
 
Stewart almost found the net again as he broke into the United area, but Saku made himself big to deny the Sunderland striker with an outstretched leg. Our number 13 then showed quick reactions to gather the ball at Stewart’s feet before he could follow up on the rebound.  

Second-Half

There was a clear lift in tempo from both sides during the opening exchanges of the second half.
 
United’s earliest chance came after Tony Watt’s deep cross was met at the back-post by Liam Smith, whose header sailed just over the crossbar.
 
Saku was again on hand to make a vital save. This time, the Finnish keeper managed to claw the ball away from sneaking in at the far post after a cushioned header from Daniel Neil.
 
Niskanen also looked lively, doing well to beat his man the ball broke to Watt inside the area. His cutback looked sure to find MacLeod inside the six-yard box but was cleared well for a corner. 
 
However, it was Sunderland who took the lead after 52 through Trai Hume. Cirkin’s cross was delivered deep to the back post for the opposite full-back to nod home from close range.
 
Jack Ross made two quick changes before the hour mark, replacing Rory MacLeod and Craig Sibbald with Matthew Cudjoe and Kieran Freeman.
 
After 62 minutes the away side had their second of the match. Mulgrew’s pass back from long range was out of Eriksson’s reach, with the ball ending up rolling into the back of the net.
 
Meekison almost found the net with an audacious effort following a United corner. The young midfielder took the ball well on the half-volley which was smartly saved by Patterson.
 
With 15 minutes to go, United made a quadruple change with Charlie Mulgrew, Archie Meekison, Ilmari Niskanen and Tony Watt being replaced by Ross Graham, Declan Glass, Nicky Clark and Logan Chalmers.
 
Glass and Chalmers both looked sharp after taking to the field. Both were involved in some good link up before Glass’ deafly cut back across the six-yard box just evaded a tangerine shirt.
 
Chris Mochrie replaced Ian Harkes in our final change of the match, but chances came few and far between in the final ten minutes.

Total attendance: 5705 (1259 away supporters)
 
United are back on the road next weekend as we travel to Fleetwood Town for a 3pm kick-off a week today.
 
There are a limited number of tickers still available for the match. CLICK HERE to secure your seat!