Black Cats preserve winning start

Manchester City 2-3 Sunderland
The FA Women’s Premier League
Sunday 30 September 2012
SportCity, Manchester Regional Arena

Sunderland continued their impressive start to the season as they preserved their 100 per cent record with a hard- fought victory over Manchester City.

Two goals from Beth Mead and one from Sophie Williams consolidated the Wearsiders’ position at the top of The FA Women’s Premier League.

The visitors began the brighter with a good cross from the Sophie Williams which Natalie Gutteridge headed inches over the bar.

This early warning signs were not heeded by City, as only a few minutes later Williams picked up a loose ball and swung a cross into the area which Mead nodded home from close range.

City began to then creep back into the game with a couple of dangerous set-pieces which were dealt with by Vicki Greenwell and Gutteridge respectively.

Soon after though, City got the stroke of luck their pressure deserved, with the referee pointing to the spot after the ball struck a hand in the area. The spot kick was subsequently converted by Lyndsay Savage to level the scores midway through the half.

City were looking impressive and they appeared a different outfit to the team that was swept aside 4-0 by Sunderland in last season’s Premier League Cup.

However, Kelly McDougal almost put Mick Mulhern’s side ahead before the break with a brilliant 25-yard strike which was tipped over the bar.

Sunderland found their feet after the break and regained the advantage when Williams fired the ball into the far corner.

The Black Cats kept the pressure up, knowing a one-goal lead wasn’t going to be enough against a resilient City side and Mead fired a shot which was well saved.

Against the run of play, City equalised as Lee met Farrell’s low cross and cracked a shot across the wet surface which squirmed under Laws and into the net.

Almost immediately, though, Sunderland seized the initiative once more. Gutteridge intercepted the ball in the middle of the park and fed Mead, who skipped past a defender and slotted the ball home.

Sunderland held on for their fifth win in five games which sent them three points clear at the top of the table.