In-form Ross Stewart rescues point for Sunderland at 10-man Blackpool
Posted Monday, January 02, 2023 by PA
Star striker Ross Stewart scored for the fourth game running as Sunderland came from behind to clinch a battling 1-1 draw at 10-man Blackpool.
Stewart has struggled with injury so far this season but is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League Brentford after his sublime run of form this term.
The Scottish hitman’s ninth goal of the season cancelled out Shayne Lavery’s opener at Bloomfield Road.
It was the 26-year-old’s sixth goal in five appearances and ninth in 11 during a fruitful campaign which has taken his club tally to 35 in 67 league games.
The struggling Seasiders were desperate to start the year in style and put their 2022 woes behind them.
But it was a worrying ninth game without a win for Michael Appleton’s outfit, who failed to force their way out of the Championship drop zone.
Their woes were worsened in stoppage time as Callum Connolly was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Connolly was on the back foot after being booked in the eighth minute and was given his marching orders for a bad challenge on Jack Clarke down the left wing.
The Black Cats started brightly with Clarke’s whipped cross evading Amad Diallo at the back post.
The Seasiders hit the front as Lavery bagged his first goal since August in the 21st minute.
The Northern Ireland international latched onto CJ Hamilton’s ball and made no mistake as he slotted home the opener to end his goal drought.
Sunderland’s first big chance at a response fell to Clarke and Chris Maxwell did well to keep out the talented wide man.
The visitors were let off as Gary Madine fired wide from an acute angle after Anthony Patterson fumbled Hamilton’s cross.
Diallo almost levelled but his strike rattled the bar in first-half stoppage time.
Sunderland were let off again as Connolly got in behind from a free-kick only to be denied by Patterson.
Maxwell then produced a great save to keep Blackpool in front as he tipped Diallo’s strike over.
Tony Mowbray’s men were frustrated once again by the woodwork just after the hour as Stewart this time hit the bar.
But the striker found the mark in the 66th minute as he glanced Trai Hume’s ball home.
Stewart squandered a great late chance at a winner when he nodded Diallo’s cross wide from six yards as the spoils were shared.
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