Dominant Sunderland take firm grip on Championship promotion race after Oxford win

Sunderland’s decisive 2-0 victory over Oxford cemented their position atop the Sky Bet Championship. The Black

Cats continued their winning streak after winning back-to-back away games against Hull and Luton in the previous

week. This was their third victory in six days.

The goal was opened by Jobe Bellingham’s header in the sixteenth minute, and the midfielder also hit the crossbar in

the second half. Wilson Isidor then scored an amazing first-time volley to give Sunderland their second goal.

Oxford was unable to seriously threaten Sunderland’s defense, and Des Buckingham’s squad has still to record their

first away victory of the year. The one unexpected aspect of the Black Cats’ dominance was how long it took them to

score their first goal—16 minutes.

By now, Isidor had just missed a header from Trai Hume’s cross, and Jamie Cumming had already made an

incredible save, diverting Patrick Roberts’ on-target free-kick around the post. But shortly after, the home team took

advantage of another excellent pass that Hume put into the area.

Bellingham scored his second goal of the season after swerving between two Oxford defenders to meet Hume’s cross

and sending a strong header into the lower right corner. Opportunities kept coming as Sunderland’s deft passing

play steadily undermined Oxford’s defense.

Following a brilliant move by Bellingham that sent the young player racing towards the 18-yard box, Cumming had

to step up again to deflect Chris Rigg’s effort over the crossbar after Roberts’ attempt was stopped when he sprinted

across the penalty area. Simon Moore, who replaced the injured Anthony Patterson in his first league start for

Sunderland, held the home team’s goal uncontested until halftime.

But he had to stop Ciaron Brown’s strong cross that appeared to be headed for the net eight minutes into the second

half. However, this was a rare instance of danger from the visitors, and shortly before the hour, Bellingham’s curling

attempt barely missed the top of the crossbar, almost doubling Sunderland’s lead.

Isidor’s incredible finish in the 63rd minute gave the team what appeared to be a second goal. Isidor did a fantastic

first-time volley into the far corner via the inside of the post after following the ball as it sailed over his shoulder after

Dan Neil provided a pass into the box.

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