The fear was that they would go over a year without winning a game on home soil. But Sunderland managed to conjure a victory against Fulham today, 364 days since their last one at the Stadium of Light.
It was 16 December 2016 when Patrick van Aanholt’s goal proved the difference in a top-flight clash with Watford and so much has changed since.
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After suffering relegation from the Premier League, David Moyes left the club. His replacement, Simon Grayson, was sacked after just 18 games in charge, the side winning just one of them and rooted in a relegation dogfight.
Chris Coleman arrived late last month and things have improved somewhat.
With today’s win, it’s now seven points from the last five games and Sunderland have moved out of the drop zone.
In 2005-06, the 15-point season, Sunderland won none of their first 18 home games, then beat Fulham in their 19th and last. I've always admired the politeness. Tremendous guests.
The hero was Josh Maja, who grabbed the winner on his league debut for the Black Cats, finding the net just four minutes after coming off the bench.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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After 364 days, Sunderland have finally won a game at home
THE WAIT IS finally over.
The fear was that they would go over a year without winning a game on home soil. But Sunderland managed to conjure a victory against Fulham today, 364 days since their last one at the Stadium of Light.
It was 16 December 2016 when Patrick van Aanholt’s goal proved the difference in a top-flight clash with Watford and so much has changed since.
After suffering relegation from the Premier League, David Moyes left the club. His replacement, Simon Grayson, was sacked after just 18 games in charge, the side winning just one of them and rooted in a relegation dogfight.
Chris Coleman arrived late last month and things have improved somewhat.
With today’s win, it’s now seven points from the last five games and Sunderland have moved out of the drop zone.
The hero was Josh Maja, who grabbed the winner on his league debut for the Black Cats, finding the net just four minutes after coming off the bench.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Chris Coleman hope on the horizon Stadium of Light Fulham Sunderland