Wembley Final

Even I knew where Catts was putting the penalty - telegraphed and no power.

Piss poor

The most experienced player on the pitch looked the most nervous in the shootout

www.safc.com/news/team-news/2019/march/portsmouth-wembley/report-v-portsmouth



Penalty heartbreak for Lads in CT Final



Portsmouth 2-2 Sunderland (AET)

Sunderland were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Portsmouth in the Checkatrade Trophy Final on Sunday afternoon.

The Lads dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Aiden McGeady’s sublime free-kick sending the red and white army into pandemonium at Wembley Stadium.

Pompey fought back following the break and Jack Ross’ men came under immense pressure, with Brett Pittman striking the post before Nathan Thompson and Jamal Lowe went close.

Sunderland looked to have weathered the storm, but a sucker punch arrived on 83 minutes when Thompson steamed in at the back post and powered an unstoppable header into the net.

Extra-time was required, and Portsmouth went ahead when Lowe’s Lobbed finish nestled into the net, but McGeady struck again with seconds remaining to ensure penalties were required.

Lee Cattermole missed Sunderland’s second penalty and Pompey made no mistake, converting all five of their spot kicks to clinch the Checkatrade Trophy.

Academy graduate George Honeyman captained the Lads at Wembley, and he created the first chance of the game inside 60 seconds.

A clever ball from Lewis Morgan found the skipper in space, and he flashed the ball across goal towards Will Grigg, who was a fraction away from connecting.

At the other end, the lively Omar Bogle charged forward and won a free-kick, which resulted in Jon McLaughlin making a comfortable save to deny Christian Burgess at the back post.

Sunderland responded with a volley of chances, as Morgan’s effort deflected onto the roof of the net before a Pompey head flicked Grant Leadbitter’s wicked free-kick just wide.

The Lads continued to crank up the pressure as Pompey struggled to get out of their defensive third, with Morgan’s spectacular volley forcing a cracking save from Craig MacGillivray after the half-hour mark.

You sensed an opener was coming, and with 39 minutes on the clock, it did.

30 yards from goal, McGeady stepped up and curled a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner before running straight back towards the Sunderland supporters to celebrate with the red and white army.

After entering the break behind, Portsmouth saw Bogle’s header cleared off the line within moments of the restart, but it wouldn’t have stood, with the striker fouling Luke O’Nien before connecting with the corner.

Sunderland continued to see more of the ball, but Kenny Jackett’s side came within a whisker of an equaliser just after the hour mark, as Pittman’s half-volley crashed against the post.

And the pressure didn’t end there, with Tom Flanagan’s header diverting into the path of Thompson, who lifted the ball over McLaughlin and the crossbar.

Lowe was next to try his luck as Sunderland nerves jangled, but the forward side-footed a glorious opportunity well wide.

Ross introduced fresh legs as the game entered the final 20 minutes, with Lynden Gooch and Max Power entering the fray.

But Pompey continued to turn the screw, and they levelled with just eight minutes to go through Thompson.

A stunning last-ditch block from Leadbitter ensured Gareth Evans didn’t clinch it in added time, with Denver Hume’s cross flashing across the face of goal seconds later.

Pompey crafted the first real opening following the restart, as the Lads conceded possession in their defensive third before Lowe volleyed wide.

Indecision followed as hesitant defending almost opened the door for Jackett’s men, but McLaughlin was alert to the danger and cleared after racing off his line.

The Scotland international produced a wonder save soon after, but he was powerless to prevent Lowe’s winner, as the forward’s lobbed finish handed Portsmouth the lead.

But the drama wasn’t over there, and McGeady levelled with seconds of extra-time remaining to restore hope within red and white ranks.

Penalties, then, but this time the cards were dealt in Pompey’s favour, as MacGillivray denied Cattermole with what proved to be the decisive spot kick.

Attendance: 85,021

Sunderland: McLaughlin, Flanagan, Baldwin, O’Nien, James (Hume 87), Leadbitter (95 Wyke), Cattermole, Honeyman, McGeady, Morgan (Gooch 72), Grigg (Power 76).
Subs not used: Ruiter, McGeouch, Dunne.

Portsmouth: MacGillivray, Thompson (Walkes 113), Brown, Burgess, Clarke, Naylor, Lowe, Close, Bogle (Hawkins 68), Curtis (Evans 55), Pitman.

Subs not used: Bass, Haunstrup, May, Vaughan.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-jack-ross-explains-checkatrade-16056549


Sunderland's Jack Ross explains his Checkatrade Trophy substitutions

Injuries and fatigue forced Jack Ross to make changes late in normal time as Sunderland lost to Portsmouth on penalties at Wembley

Jack Ross has explained the reasoning behind his substitutions at Wembley.

The Black Cats boss withdrew striker Will Grigg 13 minutes from time with midfielder Max Power taking his place, and also brought on left-back Denver Hume instead of Reece James with a couple of minutes to go.

Ross had already brought on Lynden Gooch for Lewis Morgan, who had run out of steam, and then in injury time - when he was permitted to make a fourth substitution - he sent on frontman Charlie Wyke to replace Grant Leadbitter.

Grigg has been playing through an ankle injury and Ross said: “It was partly that, and partly fatigue.

“He hasn’t trained much recently [because of the ankle] and we are having to try and nurse him through training and into games.

“We’ve also got some big games ahead when we are going to need him, so there were a lot of different factors in that decision.”

Wyke was stripped and ready to come on towards the end of the 90 minutes but an injury to James meant he had to change his plans.

“Reece had picked up an injury so we brought Denver on,” he said.

Sunderland 2-2 Portsmouth

“We knew at that stage of the game that we would have another substitution to make because the game was going into extra-time, and in extra-time we brought Charlie on.”

Aiden McGeady’s deflected free-kick gave Sunderland a first-half lead and then, after Nathan Thompson had levelled late in normal time and Jamal Lowe had put Pompey in front in extra-time, McGeady struck again to take the game to a penalty shootout.

Ross said: “Aiden is an outstanding footballer who people just assume will dominate in games because he is so talented, but you need to have the application, the desire, and want to do that, and he has done that time after time this season - and again today.”

But the day ended in heartbreak as Lee Cattermole saw his spot-kick saved while Pompey converted all five of their penalties to ensure they got their hands on the trophy and Sunderland left empty-handed.

Can't fault him for the idea. But like so many times this season the reality did not match the idea. And for that I will fault him.

It's as I have said since he arrived - Ross is terrified of loosing games, which is why we play negative football when we have a lead.

Ross still hasn't learned that a 1 goal lead is not enough to be comfortable with. The number of games we have drawn because Ross wanted to hang on to a 1 goal lead is unbelievable this season.

Rant over

Onwards and upwards