Match ends, Sunderland 5, Tranmere Rovers 0.
SunderlandSunderland5TranmereTranmere Rovers0
Phil Parkinson enjoyed a dream home debut as Sunderland manager as his side cruised to an emphatic 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.
Duncan Watmore got the ball rolling midway through the first half, racing on to Will Grigg's through ball before sweeping a low first-time finish into the corner of the net.
Sunderland doubled their lead two minutes later, when Chris Maguire cracked a direct free-kick past a motionless Scott Davies after George Ray hacked down Watmore on the edge of the area.
The third goal arrived six minutes before the interval, when Maguire released Watmore to cross from the right for Lynden Gooch to apply the finishing touch.
Tranmere's best chance came when Stefan Payne headed against the post from a corner at the start of the second half, but Sunderland extended their lead with seven minutes left.
Marc McNulty cut the ball back from the byline after his initial effort had been saved, and Grigg stabbed home from close range.
There was still time for Sunderland to claim a fifth goal in stoppage time, when Luke O'Nien powered home a diving header after Maguire swung over a free-kick from the flank.
Report supplied by PA Media
Line-ups
Sunderland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 16Burge
- 13O'Nien
- 4Willis
- 3Lynch
- 33Hume
- 18DobsonBooked at 10mins
- 6Power
- 14WatmoreSubstituted forMcLaughlinat 72'minutes
- 7Maguire
- 11GoochSubstituted forMcNultyat 54'minutes
- 22GriggSubstituted forMbunga-Kimpiokaat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 1McLaughlin
- 2McLaughlin
- 8McGeouch
- 10McNulty
- 12Flanagan
- 23Leadbitter
- 31Mbunga-Kimpioka
Tranmere
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Davies
- 14Caprice
- 5RayBooked at 25mins
- 6Monthe
- 3Ridehalgh
- 7Morris
- 35Danns
- 17Perkins
- 11Jennings
- 45PayneBooked at 40mins
- 9MullinSubstituted forHepburn-Murphyat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Nelson
- 18Hepburn-Murphy
- 22Wilson
- 24Maddox
- 25Pilling
- 29Walker-Rice
- 33Borthwick-Jackson
- Referee:
- Carl Boyeson
- Attendance:
- 28,551
Match Stats
Home TeamSunderlandAway TeamTranmere
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 5, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Post update
Foul by Joel Lynch (Sunderland).
Post update
Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 5, Tranmere Rovers 0. Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Chris Maguire with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Conor McLaughlin (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers).
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Benjamin Mbunga-Kimpioka replaces William Grigg.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by David Perkins.
Goal!
Goal! Sunderland 4, Tranmere Rovers 0. William Grigg (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marc McNulty.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Marc McNulty (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke O'Nien.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Willis (Sunderland).
Post update
Stefan Payne (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Liam Ridehalgh (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Chris Maguire (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Jake Caprice (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Foul by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).
