The lowdown on Sunderland 1 Millwall 0 – can Lions still close the gap to Championship play-offs

Millwall suffered a narrow defeat at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon after Trai Hume’s first-half effort was enough to secure all three points for the North-East side.

It’s now back to back away defeats for Alex Neil’s Lions but despite that they remain just six points off the play-offs with seven games to go.

Here is the lowdown on the match.

THE LINE-UPS

Sunderland: Patterson, Browne, O’Nein, Mepham, Hume, Roberts, Neil, Bellingham, Mundle (Watson 88), Rigg, Isidor (Mayenda 88). Subs not used: Moore, Anderson, Bainbridge, Lavery, Middlemas, Jones, Aleksic

Millwall: Jensen, Crama (Leonard 80), Cooper, Tanganga, Bryan, De Norre (Saville 80), Mitchell, Connolly (Sturge 90), Cundle (Langstaff 79), Emakhu (Ivanovic 66), Coburn. Subs not used: Evans, Harding, Matthews, Kendall.

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

Matches between these two clubs have been tight in recent times, five draws in the last seven meetings proves just how competitive the games have been. It was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. A deep corner to the back post found Hume, who finished superbly past Jensen. Despite falling behind the Lions looked bright and made chances to get themselves back into it. Luke Cundle forced Anthony Patterson into a save before Josh Coburn was unable to make contact with a delightful ball into the box just before the break. Wilson Isidor was denied by a superb Jensen save in the second-half from point-blank range. The Dane was on call again in the 86th minute to deny Luke O’Nien from the penalty spot after Japhet Tanganga had fouled Romaine Mundle. Substitute Mihalio Ivanovic was denied in stoppage time as his goal bound shot was blocked by Sunderland defender Chris Mepham.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Alex Neil recalled Luke Cundle and former Sunderland man Aaron Connolly to his Millwall side and Ryan Leonard, who had been a lengthy lay-off due to injury, came on to feature. The Lions had more possession – 54 per cent – something we are not used to seeing, especially in an away game against a side in the upper reaches of the Championship table. The Lions troubled the home defence but did not have that cutting edge. The South Londoners ended with Ivanovic, Coburn and Macaulay Langstaff all on the pitch, showing they can switch to the direct route if they need it.

STAR MAN

Lukas Jensen. The Dane has had his critics this season but made important saves to keep the Lions in it towards the end.

BEST MOMENT

Jensen’s save from Isidor. That was a superb stop from the Millwall keeper. It looked certain that Isidor’s effort was heading into the net but the former Lincoln City man ensured that the contest would only end 1-0.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Sunderland’s winner. It’s been the case a lot recently that Millwall have failed to deal with corners. It was a good finish from Hume, but he was given so much time and space to prepare for and then convert.

A TALKING POINT DOWN THE PUB

How far is too far? Despite this result, the gap to the top six remains at six points after West Brom were beaten by a late Norwich goal. Is it too much for the South Londoners to make up with seven games to go? Time will tell. Every game is crucial, as the picture can change so much in one round of fixtures. The gap could be down to three points or extended to nine in just 90 minutes.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“The biggest frustration is, if you are going to lose to Sunderland, don’t lose to a set-play. No disrespect to them, but they are not the biggest of teams, certainly not bigger than us. It was a well-worked set-play from their point of view, but we switched off at the edge of the box, and they got a strike at goal, which made the task more difficult.”