Match ends, Sunderland 1, Southend United 0.
SunderlandSunderland1SouthendSouthend United0
Luke O'Nien's first-half header earned Sunderland a League One win over a spirited Southend.
Phil Parkinson's side were looking to bounce back from their midweek Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Oxford and claimed the lead midway through the opening period.
Denver Hume crossed from the left and having been selected as an attacking midfielder rather than a right-back, O'Nien arrowed a fine diving header into the bottom right-hand corner.
Will Grigg glanced a first-half header wide but Southend thought they should have had a penalty before the interval when Simon Cox's shot appeared to strike Max Power on the arm. Referee Trevor Kettle was at least partially unsighted and waved play on.
Sunderland continued to dominate after the interval and Aiden McGeady came close to doubling his side's lead when he fired in a low strike that Nathan Bishop tipped around the post.
Southend's best chance of an equaliser came with 13 minutes left but after finding himself in space after Joel Lynch's attempt at a clearance cannoned off a team-mate, Tom Hopper could only fire over the bar.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Sunderland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1McLaughlin
- 2McLaughlinBooked at 84mins
- 4Willis
- 3Lynch
- 33Hume
- 18Dobson
- 6Power
- 13O'NienBooked at 90mins
- 7MaguireSubstituted forWatmoreat 62'minutes
- 19McGeadySubstituted forLeadbitterat 86'minutes
- 22GriggSubstituted forMcNultyat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 8McGeouch
- 10McNulty
- 12Flanagan
- 14Watmore
- 23Leadbitter
- 31Mbunga-Kimpioka
- 43Patterson
Southend
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 13Bishop
- 19Shaughnessy
- 8Dieng
- 26Lennon
- 2Bwomono
- 5MilliganSubstituted forHyamat 78'minutes
- 36Hutchinson
- 3Ralph
- 14GoodshipSubstituted forAcquahat 64'minutes
- 10Cox
- 9HopperBooked at 73minsSubstituted forRushat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Oxley
- 4Hyam
- 17Ndukwu
- 24Demetriou
- 30Taylor
- 32Acquah
- 41Rush
- Referee:
- Trevor Kettle
- Attendance:
- 30,407
Match Stats
Home TeamSunderlandAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home18
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home3
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sunderland 1, Southend United 0.
Post update
George Dobson (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Luke Hyam (Southend United).
Post update
Foul by Jordan Willis (Sunderland).
Post update
Simon Cox (Southend United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Marc McNulty (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Timothee Dieng (Southend United).
Booking
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card.
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Conor McLaughlin (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Emile Acquah (Southend United).
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Grant Leadbitter replaces Aiden McGeady.
Post update
Attempt saved. Simon Cox (Southend United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Booking
Conor McLaughlin (Sunderland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Conor McLaughlin (Sunderland).
Post update
Matt Rush (Southend United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Ralph (Southend United).
Post update
Luke O'Nien (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Emile Acquah (Southend United).
