Sunderland secured their first league win of the season as they came from behind to bag the three points at the Stadium of Light.
Stewart Donald has taken to Twitter to laud the Sunderland fans who attended Saturday’s win over Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light, insisting that they made the difference as Jack Ross’ men came from behind to secure the three points.
The Black Cats had gone behind in their first two league games of the new season, and made it a hat-trick against Pompey as Marcus Harness gave the visitors the lead at the midway point during the first-half.
But by half-time, Ross’ side had turned the game on its head. Jordan Willis bagged the equaliser, before Chris Maguire haunted Kenny Jackett’s side once again with six minutes remaining of the first-half. It was the 30-year-old who scored the decisive goal when the two teams met in last season’s play-off semi-final.
That was how the scoreline would remain as Sunderland finished the day in ninth place in the League One table, one point off the play-off spots and four points off the current pace-setters, Lincoln City.
It has been a promising start to the campaign for the Black Cats, who have not had the easiest summer with takeover speculation lingering throughout. Ross had to rely on a number of free transfers, as well as a loan deal for Marc McNulty, while some of the key men from last season have left, including George Honeyman and Lee Cattermole.
And Donald has issued something of a rallying cry on social media ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Rochdale at Spotland, as he lauded the supporters for the impact that they made in the win over Portsmouth.
Here is Donald’s message to the fans…
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