Sunderland were defeated 2-1 by Middlesbrough at home on Sunday.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Former player Gary Bennett praised the introduction of Lynden Gooch but felt that Sunderland have gone backwards from last season after they were defeated 2-1 by rivals Middlesbrough, BBC Newcastle reports.
David Moyes took charge of his first home game as Sunderland manager after he replaced Sam Allardyce in the summer, and he couldn’t have asked for a more intriguing encounter than rivals Boro.
The Black Cats put in a decent showing during last weekend’s late 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, yet against Aitor Karanka’s men they struggled when the onus was on them to break down the visitors.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe looks dejected
Two goals from Christian Stuani gave Sunderland a commanding lead, and while the introduction of Gooch followed by a Patrick van Aanholt goal livened things up, Sunderland ultimately came up short.
“Sunderland went into pieces in the first half and if that’s a sample of what we are going to put up with we are going to struggle,” former defender Bennett told BBC Newcastle.
“I know Sunderland had to make changes but Middlesbrough didn’t have to work hard to go two goals up.
“The second half Sunderland did a bit better. Lynden Gooch came into the middle of the park and showed a bit of energy and got on the ball and wanted to make things happen. But on that performance Sunderland have gone backwards.”
England manager Sam Allardyce
Allardyce helped preserve Sunderland’s Premier League status last term, and his decision to take the England job in the summer left the Wearside club with a big void to fill.
Moyes is a renowned coach and did a superb job at Everton, but since then his past two jobs have ended in his dismissal and there is no doubt already a bit of pressure on his shoulders.
General view – Stadium of Light Sunderland
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