Sunderland beat League One rivals Portsmouth in the League One play-off semi-final first leg thanks to Chris Maguire’s stunning strike.
Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett has described Chris Maguire’s moment of magic as ‘terrific’ after the Sunderland winger scored the only goal of the game in Saturday’s League One play-off semi final first leg, speaking to the club’s official website.
The two-time Scotland international has long been seen as a player capable of the spectacular and he reminded everyone why at the Stadium of Light, firing a stunning volley into the top corner to give Jack Ross’s Black Cats a vital 1-0 lead halfway through the tie.
That was Maguire’s ninth goal for Sunderland, the club he joined last summer after a forgettable spell at Bury.
And Pompey boss Jackett believes the 30-year-old was the only discernible difference between two very evenly matched sides on Wearside.
“We looked pretty solid for the away side, although Sunderland did have a 15-minute period when they were on top,” said the former Wolves and Rotherham United boss.
“Maguire scored a terrific goal, which left our goalkeeper with no chance and then we again couldn’t find those shots when it was 11 against 10.”
Sunderland’s result was even more impressive when you consider that they played much of the second half with ten men, Alim Ozturk being handed a straight red card for a professional foul on Portsmouth’s goal-bound midfielder Gareth Evans.
But it is these isolated moments of quality that often make the difference in tight encounters. Sunderland, as it stands, are just 90 minutes away from Wembley.
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