A stunning Crystal Palace comeback left David Moyes and his Sunderland team shell shocked having seemed destined for their first win of the Premier League season.
A Jermain Defoe double had given the Black Cats a healthy two goal advantage just on the hour mark. Two goals from Joe Ledley and James McArthur respectively, brought the scores level and with the game seeming destined for a draw, Christian Benteke stunned the Stadium of Light with a last gasp header to snatch Palace all three points.
“?Both sides were slow to grow into the game, with the wind proving particularly difficult to master for both sides.
Crystal Palace fashioned the first opportunity after 10 minutes with Christian Benteke’s header aimed straight at Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford. Moments later Jason Puncheon played in Yohan Cabaye on the right hand side of the penalty area but his low cross was cleared well by the Sunderland defence with Benteke again lurking at the back post.
Sunderland were dealt another cruel injury blow when Steven Pienaar came off with a hamstring problem with Duncan Watmore replacing him after only 18 minutes.
Benteke continued to be the main threat for Palace going forward. He was only able to blaze over the bar after good work from Jason Puncheon.
At the other end the lively Patrick van Aanholt, a man whose discipline has very much been in the spotlight this week, found room for a low cross into Jermian Defoe. His clever flicked finish rolled inches wide of the right hand post.
The Sunderland forward was to have better success with his next opportunity however. Joe Ledley’s woeful lofted pass back to Damien Delaney fell straight to the feet off Defoe. With the Englishman only 15 yards from goal he carried the ball forward before poking a shot beyond Steve Mandanda, much to the delight of David Moyes’ team who took a 1-0 lead into half time.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Sunderland keen to stay compact and Crystal Palace searching for some rhythm in their play.
A Sunderland free kick left them exposed to a Palace counter attack when Adnan Januzaj was easily brushed aside from James McArthur. The visitors surged forward and the ball was eventually played into Jason Puncheon, but his high shot was well saved by Pickford.
With the game starting to open up Sunderland scored their second goal; just seconds after Defoe had squandered a glorious opportunity by shooting at Palace keeper Mananda. Sunderland were able to recycle the ball and Watmore’s low cross found its way to Defoe who smashed home from 10 yards out with a crisp left footed strike.
Crystal Palace replied instantly; a long ball from kick off was not dealt with by Van Aanholt and the ball rolled kindly to Joe Ledley on the edge of the area. He atoned for his earlier error with a low strike that took a wicked deflection of Van Aanholt and left Sunderland keeper Pickford helpless.
Despite looking shaky at the back with Defoe in particular looking likely to complete his hat-trick, the Eagles equalised in the 75th minute. Substitute Zeki Fryers’ wonderful cross from the left hand side flew over both Sunderland centre backs and was met by an easy downward header by James McArthur who had done well to nip in front of Patrick van Aanholt.
With both sides now pushing for a winner the game was at its most frantic. Andros Townsend’s low curling shot was the closest the visitors came, whilst at the other end Victor Anichebe came on for his first Sunderland appearance.
The match drifted into injury time with both teams looking tired and content with a point. But there would be a very late twist in the game after a needless foul given away by Sunderland’s Paddy McNair allowed Palace one more chance to whip a cross in, right by the corner flag.
The resulting free kick was lofted into the middle of the area and with the Sunderland marking nowhere to be seen, Benteke ghosted in to powerfully head home past Jordan Pickford and break the home fans’ hearts.
It now means that Alan Pardew’s Palace team have won three league games in a row and are now in the top half of the table.
Meanwhile, defeat for the home side now leaves them languishing at the foot of the table with a single point and Sunderland are the only team without a Premier League win this season.
Sunderland 2 – 3 Crystal Palace pic.twitter.com/LzE1QhexHO
Leave a Reply