:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57659613/ruiter.0.jpg)
Sunderland 2-2 Millwall
Awful goalkeeping from Robin Ruiter from two George Saville free kicks cost Sunderland dearly as they failed to win at home again.
Ahead of the arrival of new manager Chris Coleman, Sunderland’s frailties were once again exposed as they needed a goalkeeping error from Jordan Archer to save a point.
Lewis Grabban had opened the scoring for the Mackems, led today by Robbie Stockdale, but individual errors cost Sunderland dearly again.
Sunderland remain bottom, seven points behind today’s opponents Millwall, who find themselves in the bottom eight as well.
Match Action
First Half
Sunderland raced to an early lead with Grabban scoring another poacher’s effort, to take his tally to nine for the season.
The 29 year old took advantage of Millwall’s failure to clear a Brian Oviedo corner to tap home, unmarked.
Saville had Millwall level within five minutes as his tame free-kick was somehow spilled by Ruiter.
The lanky Dutchman let Saville’s shot agonisingly squirm through his legs, meaning once again Sunderland failed to maintain a lead at home.
Within ten minutes of Grabban’s opener Sunderland were trailing thanks to another Saville free-kick and another Ruiter error.
Sunderland’s stopper got across to Saville’s effort but could only parry into his own net, in the latest in a series of costly Sunderland goalkeeping gaffes.
The Black Cats also lost Jonny Williams and Duncan Watmore to injury in another miserable half of football at the Stadium of Light.
Half Time: Sunderland 1-2 Millwall
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8933807/ruiter.jpg)
Second Half
Sunderland hit back instantly in the second half with the horrendous goalkeeping transferring over the away goal.
Archer parried Adam Matthews cross into his own net, under no pressure and from nowhere, Sunderland were level.
Grabban looked to have put Sunderland ahead early in the second half, but had his goal chalked off by referee Tim Robinson.
Grabban was adjudged to have fouled full-back Connor McLaughlin, before heading in.
Ruiter went some way to making for his previous errors with an excellent save, showing great reflexes to keep out Lee Gregory’s deflected strike.
Shane Ferguson went close as Millwall pressed for a winner in the final 20 minutes, but the ex-Newcastle man just dragged his shot wide.
Sunderland narrowly missed the opportunity to snatch a late lead, Aiden McGeady’s dangerous ball across goal was missed by both Grabban and John O’Shea - any contact would have produced a certain goal.
The Black Cats improved in the final ten, with McGeady in particular providing a threat, but ultimately they couldn’t get a winner, and the win-less streak goes on.
Full Time: Sunderland 2-2 Millwall
Player Ratings
Robbin Ruiter - 1/10: One great save in the second half, but those two goals... you can’t defend it. Same free kick, different awful mistakes.
Adam Matthews - 6/10: Done alright. Few good runs forward, lucky for the goal but intent deserves it. Okay defensively.
John O’Shea - 4/10: Pumps it forward, nervous and does very little.
Marc Wilson - 4/10: He’s poor. Looks dodgy at times and his passing is awful.
Bryan Oviedo - 6/10: He made some good runs and combined well with McGeady.
Lee Cattermole - 5/10: Covered some ground defensively, he recycled the play better than recently, but was rash, wasteful and disappeared in the last 20.
Paddy McNair - 4/10: The game barely passed him by. Also went missing as our midfield seemed to become completely invisible at the end.
Duncan Watmore - 5/10: Decent impact, but forced off early. Few nice runs, but zero end product and missed a good chance.
Jonny Williams - 5/10: Looked lively, but went off injured early doors.
Aiden McGeady - 6/10: Tried to make things happen and looked like one of the ones to do so. Still frustrating, but his quality is there to see.
Lewis Grabban - 7/10: Took his goal well and was very unlucky with the one that was disallowed. Decent play, but he goes wide far too often which leaves nobody in the middle.
(SUB) George Honeyman - 5/10: Looks busy, tries hard and tracks back well but lacks quality.
(SUB) Callum McManaman - 7/10: Effective on the right. Dangerous, got in behind the defence and very nearly won it. He does tends to run down blind alleys though.
(SUB) Ty Browning: 5/10: He had little to do.