Match report

Bristol Rovers Defeat Sunderland 2-0 in League One

Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
2–0
FT
Sunderland
Sunderland
Mar 10, 2020

Bristol Rovers held off a spirited Sunderland to secure a 2-0 victory in their League One clash. Goals from J. Clarke-Harris in the 39th minute and a penalty in the 75th minute ensured the points for Bristol Rovers, who will be pleased with the clean sheet and the win over a tough opponent. The early dismissal of key Sunderland players set the tone for a dominant second half.

Key Facts

  • • Bristol Rovers 2-0 Sunderland
  • • J. Clarke-Harris scored twice (39' and 75' pen)
  • • O. Clarke provided an assist (39')
  • • Sunderland had three players booked (K. Lafferty, Alim Öztürk, T. Flanagan)
  • • Bristol Rovers also had two players booked (Luke Leahy, O. Clarke)

Lineups

Bristol Rovers

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 21 J. Blackman (G)
  • 5 T. Craig (D)
  • 11 L. Leahy (M)
  • 25 C. Harries (D)
  • 15 A. Kilgour (D)
  • 7 L. Sercombe (M)
  • 8 O. Clarke (M)
  • 27 J. Mitchell-Lawson (F)
  • 36 C. Hargreaves (M)
  • 33 A. Rodman (M)
  • 9 J. Clarke-Harris (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 J. Daly
  • 22 J. Hare
  • 18 M. Kelly
  • 24 R. Menayese
  • 23 K. Bennett
  • 1 J. van Stappershoef
  • 26 S. Matthews

Sunderland

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting XI

  • 1 J. McLaughlin (G)
  • 12 T. Flanagan (D)
  • 5 A. Öztürk (D)
  • 4 J. Willis (D)
  • 33 D. Hume (M)
  • 6 M. Power (M)
  • 28 J. Scowen (M)
  • 13 L. O'Nien (M)
  • 7 C. Maguire (F)
  • 8 K. Lafferty (F)
  • 42 A. Semenyo (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 C. Wyke
  • 11 L. Gooch
  • 22 W. Grigg
  • 2 C. McLaughlin
  • 16 L. Burge
  • 18 G. Dobson
  • 3 J. Lynch

Timeline

  1. Bristol Rovers
    30' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    Luke Leahy
  2. Sunderland
    38' Sunderland Card · Yellow Card
    K. Lafferty
  3. Bristol Rovers
    39' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Clarke-Harris · Assist: O. Clarke
  4. Sunderland
    42' Sunderland Card · Yellow Card
    Alim Öztürk
  5. Sunderland
    45' Sunderland Card · Yellow Card
    T. Flanagan
  6. Sunderland
    46' Sunderland subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Lafferty · On: C. Wyke
  7. Bristol Rovers
    68' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    O. Clarke
  8. Sunderland
    71' Sunderland subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Alim Öztürk · On: L. Gooch
  9. Bristol Rovers
    75' Bristol Rovers Goal · Penalty
    J. Clarke-Harris
  10. Bristol Rovers
    80' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Mitchell-Lawson · On: J. Daly
  11. Bristol Rovers
    83' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Hargreaves · On: J. Hare
  12. Sunderland
    87' Sunderland subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Josh Scowen · On: W. Grigg
  13. Bristol Rovers
    90'+5 Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Clarke-Harris · On: M. Kelly

Match Stats

Stat Bristol Rovers Sunderland
Fouls 14 23
Pass Accuracy 50% 68%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 8 6
Corners 5 2
Total Passes 234 376
Yellow Cards 3 3
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 3 2
Shots off Target 3 2
Possession 38% 62%
Accurate Passes 118 255
Shots Inside Box 6 3
Saves 2 1
Shots Outside Box 2 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The first turning point was the early goal by J. Clarke-Harris in the 39th minute, which was assisted by O. Clarke and gave Bristol Rovers the lead and momentum.
  • ▸ The second turning point came with Sunderland's multiple bookings and substitutions, which left them with a weaker lineup and allowed Bristol Rovers to dominate the second half and secure the win.