Sunderland 3-0 Bristol Rovers
- Published
Three second-half goals saw Sunderland continue their fine form with a deserved win over 10-man Bristol Rovers.
They were on top throughout and Lynden Gooch, Charlie Wyke and Luke O'Nien secured a ninth win from 12 games to lift the Black Cats to fourth in League One, though Rovers' defence was only breached once Abu Ogogo was sent off.
For long spells Phil Parkinson's men failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.
Nobody was on hand to turn home an inviting Denver Hume ball across the goalmouth, Wyke shot over at the near post and O'Nien headed inches over when meeting Hume's cross.
But on the hour mark referee Ben Toner dismissed Ogogo, who had collided with Chris Maguire off the ball, and 13 minutes later the floodgates opened.
Gooch added the finishing touch to a lovely passing move, side-footing in after a pass from the right, and Wyke soon doubled the advantage when he rounded Blackman.
It was 3-0 when Chris Maguire made ground down the right, pulling the ball back for O'Nien, and his effort took a heavy deflection before hitting the net.
Report supplied by PA Media.