Carabao Cup: Blackpool 2-3 Sunderland
- Published
- comments
Aiden O'Brien has now scored four goals for Sunderland in four games so far this season
Aiden O'Brien scored a hat-trick as Sunderland beat Blackpool to reach the Carabao Cup third round.
Shayne Lavery sent the hosts ahead when he poked home inside the box after good work from Tyreece John-Jules.
Sunderland levelled moments later when O'Brien fired in low following a neat through ball from Dan Neil.
The visitors led when O'Brien's shot deflected in off Daniel Gretarsson before Josh Bowler's late equaliser, but O'Brien slotted in to win the tie.
It was the perfect start for the hosts as Lavery found the net with an impressive finish from a tight angle, however their lead did not last long.
The Black Cats carved open the Blackpool defence with a flowing move that saw O'Brien get behind two defenders and he unleashed a cool low shot that deservedly got them back on level terms.
However there was drama late on when Bowler found the net with three minutes of normal time to play after he played a neat one-two with John-Jules in the build up.
But the action did not finish there, as O'Brien cheekily slotted home from close range to send the League One side through.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I thought it was a really good game of football. I'm honest enough that if we don't play well and we get beaten by the better team, I'll say.
"I think the best team lost tonight. I think we were the better team, created the better chance but we're not getting that luck at both ends of the pitch.
"I don't know how we conceded three goals because the goalkeeper has not had much to do."
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson said:
"I'm really delighted for Aiden O'Brien. I thought maybe he didn't get the credit he deserved last season. Charlie (Wyke) finished the chances but he often played better.
"He deserved more of the credit for Charlie's (25 league) goals. We gave him that internally, he's a really good player.
"Every win is important, it really is. We're trying to win the trust of the supporters all the time and that can be really powerful.
"It buys you the odd bad performance because they see that the lads are putting their all in and they see that we're trusting youth."
Parents We've Got You! Challenges to keep your child or teenager busy this summer
Which food has the same carbon footprint as five miles in an SUV? The carbon cost of what we eat
