Bradford City 2–0 Sunderland: Bantams Continue Their Giant Killing By Seeing Off Black Cats

Two goals either side of half time helped Bradford see off a pathetic Sunderland side at Valley Parade.

Sunderland started like they did in their midweek defeat against QPR and were again punished early on. A 3rd minute free kick broke the deadlock this time. The ball was whipped in from the right and O’Shea’s tame effort at heading the ball away fell to Clarke who struck a shot deflecting off O’Shea into the net.

Bradford nearly made it two on 15 minutes when the ball was crossed from the left leaving Stead to nod in at the back post but the centre forward failed to make contact as Sunderland were let off hook.

But for Bradford’s early dominance Sunderland found themselves with a golden opportunity to equalise on 18 minutes. Bridcutt’s shot fell to Fletcher eight yards from goal but the Scotsman took too long to pull the trigger and was tackled from behind.  Sunderland appealed for the penalty but Kevin Friend failed to award a spot kick and subsequently send the Bradford defender off in what looked like a stonewall penalty.

Sunderland gradually found their feet in the game as the half wore on. Danny Graham headed straight at the keeper and Van Aanholt stung the hands of Williams but nobody was following up for the rebound.

Bradford made it two nil on 62 minutes through Jon Stead. Adam Johnson tried to play his way out of defence instead of clearing it and lost the ball to Hanson who set up Stead for a low drive which Mannone let slip under his body.

Bradford continued to put Sunderland under pressure as Mannone was forced into further action to deny Billy Knott and Jon Stead.

Sunderland were completely pathetic and lacked any sort of idea today. Bradford outplayed Sunderland and were more hungry and had more fight than the Black Cats. The result had nothing to do with the pitch, Bradford outclassed Sunderland.

Bradford City (4-4-2): Williams, Meredith, Darby, Davies, McArdle, Clarke (Yeates 86’), Liddle, Morais, Knott (Halliday 85’), Stead (Zoko 89’), Hanson.

Subs: Urwin, Halliday, MacKenzie, Routis, Sheehan, Yeates, Zoko.

Goals: O’Shea og (3), Stead (62)

Sunderland (4-4-2): Mannone, Jones (Vergini 86’), Van Aanholt, O'Shea (c), Brown, Bridcutt, Larsson, Johnson, Alvarez (Honeyman 86’), Graham (Wickham 46’), Fletcher.

Subs: Pantilimon, Vergini, Coates, Agnew, Gomez, Honeyman, Wickham.

Goals: None