Sunderland knocked another Premier League team out of this year’s Carabao Cup as Max Power’s thunderous strike accounted for Sheffield United. It was another huge win for under-pressure boss Ross and will hopefully give his side a lift ahead of Saturday’s league match.
Despite the positive result it was the home side who started the brighter. Both Callum Robinson and Luke Freeman were thwarted by two excellent saves from debutant Lee Burge.
They took advantage of this break almost immediately with what would prove to be the only goal of the match. Power was the man to deliver as he picked up the ball 25 yards from goal before finding the top left hand corner of Simon Moore’s net.
The lead could have been doubled before the break but the returning Elliot Embleton saw his low strike well kept out by an alert Moore.
Sunderland’s positive play continued into the second half with their higher league hosts struggling to create meaningful openings. The Blades were indeed fortunate not to fall another goal behind just after the hour when Luke O’Nien struck a post from close range for the impressive visitors.
The game fell into a bit of a lull after this point with Sunderland attempting to protect what they had and the home side trying to mount one last push for a leveller.
They were to create one more good chance before the end too but forgotten striker Leon Clarke could only drag his shot well wide of the target.
That was to be that in terms of opportunities as Sunderland’s progression to the next round was secured in front of a bumper away following. They have been rewarded for their giant killing efforts in the second straight round with a trip to fellow League One side Oxford United after they demolished top flight West Ham 4-0.
