Sunderland 2-1 Sheffield United: United Stunned By First Half Sunderland Surge | OneFootball

Sheffield United began 2025 with a disappointing 2-1 defeat away at Sunderland.

The Blades had a great opportunity to open the scoring when they earned a penalty inside the first 15 minutes, but Kieffer Moore’s tame effort was saved. Shortly after, the home side nudged in front from a clinical Eliezer Mayenda strike into the bottom right corner. Then, the Blades found an equaliser after Luke O’Nien put the ball into his own goal in the 32nd minute. But the joy was short-lived from the away end because Wilson Isidor drove at United’s defence down the left and slotted the ball home beyond Michael Cooper just three minutes after conceding the leveller.

Chris Wilder made a couple of changes to the side: Rhian Brewster and Sam McCallum replaced Andre Brooks and Harrison Burrows respectively, whilst a change on the bench saw Harry Boyes replace youngster Sam Colechin.

Lineups

Sunderland: Patterson, Neil, Bellingham, Roberts, Mayenda, O’Nien, Isidor (Rusyn 90), Aouchiche (Hjelde 84), Mepham, Hume, Alese.

Unused: Moore, Cirkin, Connolly, Aleksić, Johnson, Ogunsuyi, Jones.

Blades: Cooper, Gilchrist (Brooks 60), McCallum (Norrington-Davies 77), Brewster, Hamer, Moore, O’Hare (Oné 77), Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, T. Davies, Peck (Burrows 60).

Unused: A. Davies, Baptiste, Marsh, Blacker, Boyes.

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Sunderland player Eliezer Mayenda celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Sheffield United FC at Stadium of Light on January 01, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

First Half

Michael Cooper was called into action twice in the opening exchanges, first denying Isidor’s angled strike and then saving low from Eliezer Mayenda. At the other end, United squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead when Kieffer Moore’s poorly struck penalty was comfortably saved by Anthony Patterson.

Patterson’s night almost took a disastrous turn shortly afterward when he hesitated on the ball near his goal line. This moment of uncertainty nearly gifted United a lead but set the tone for a chaotic first half. The breakthrough came for Sunderland in the 27th minute after a defensive lapse from Jack Robinson. Failing to control a ball over the top, Robinson allowed Mayenda a free run on goal, and the forward made no mistake, slotting coolly past Cooper.

United responded with pressure, winning a series of corners and testing the Sunderland defence. Their persistence paid off in the 32nd minute when a Hamer cross-shot forced Luke O’Nien into an own goal, leveling the scores. However, parity lasted just three minutes. Sunderland capitalised on a midfield error as Sydie Peck was dispossessed, and a swift counter-attack saw Wilson Isidor beat Anel Ahmedhodzic down the left before firing low into the bottom corner.

Second Half

The visitors dominated possession after the break, but Sunderland’s resolute defence limited their opportunities. Chris Wilder’s side struggled to find clear-cut chances, though substitute Burrows injected some energy, winning the ball high and setting up a move that ended with Brewster dragging his shot wide just after the hour mark.

As the clock ticked down, United pushed for an equaliser. Patterson was forced into an excellent save to deny Brooks, whose long-range strike stung the Sunderland goalkeeper’s palms in the 80th minute. Hamer also came close with a free-kick that sailed just over the bar four minutes later, but Sunderland held firm to secure all three points.