Sunday Sun
MATCH COMMENTS:
Coca Cola can give it whatever flashy name they want, but the standard of football on display from Championship side Sunderland yesterday was turgid at best, and there’s no nice way to say it: Wigan were by far the better team.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are in disarray. Since Stewart Downing briefly kickstarted the Wearsiders’ promotion push last term, Mick McCarthy has been without a left winger at the club – and covering this position is doing untold damage
Reading U18s 1, Sunderland U18s 1
Sunday Express
MATCH COMMENTS:
Wigans end of pier show lacks punch
Only the effervescence of 19 year old Stephen Elliott saved Sunderland from the defeat they deserved at the hands of superior Wigan.
Gone has the head of steam that took them to an FA Cup and play-off semi-final . And gone are the many of the fans who followed them on two thrilling journeys.
Sporting Life
MATCH COMMENTS:
Manager Mick McCarthy admitted he could understand the frustration of Sunderland fans after a 1-1 home draw with Championship pace-setters Wigan.
Wigan were denied a fourth successive victory by Sunderland super sub Stephen Elliott’s late strike but the home fans vented their feelings in no uncertain terms as the Black Cats struggled to make any impact.
The Latics were in total control despite a late flurry from the home side still trying to find consistency but in the end paid the penalty for trying to defending an 18th minute lead.
Skipper Matt Jackson could only head out Dean Whitehead’s deep centre when under pressure from Kevin Kyle in the 82nd minute and the diminutive striker calmly slotted home the equaliser.
“The supporters are entitled to be anxious, I accept that,” said McCarthy. “They tried to get us going but they have to accept this is not the Sunderland team that finished seventh in the Premiership.
Independent
MATCH COMMENTS:
Wigan also went ahead, at Sunderland, when Jason Roberts side-footed in his third goal of the season after 18 minutes. The Wearsiders improved after the break and Steve Elliott, a second-half substitute, equalised with eight minutes left
Observer
MATCH COMMENTS:
Wigan Athletic spent more than 80 minutes showing why they currently lead the Championship and expect to improve on their fate of last May, when they were squeezed out of the promotion play-offs in the final seconds of the season.
Wigan were in charge until, in a rare Sunderland attack, Stephen Elliott, signed on a free transfer from Manchester City, seized on a defensive error and scored an equaliser that stifled the protests of frustrated Sunderland Supporters.
