Sunderland 1-3 Reading: Modou Barrow scores twice to spoil Chris Coleman's first game as his new side finish with 10 men

  • Chris Coleman was unable to have an impact in his first game with Sunderland
  • Sunderland were reduced to 10 men after Callum McManaman's handball 
  • David Edwards scored the first goal eight minutes into the second half
  • Modou Barrow secured the victory for Reading with two goals in three minutes
  • Sunderland scored from the penalty spot late on through Lewis Grabban

Chris Coleman's first home game in charge of Sunderland ended in disaster as Reading's revival continued with a 3-1 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Jaap Stam's Royals made it one defeat from their last seven matches as Modou Barrow scored twice in the 68th and 71st minutes to follow up David Edwards' opener eight minutes after half-time. 

Sunderland did liven up when Lewis Grabban hit his 11th goal of the season with a penalty won by Joel Asoro with 14 minutes remaining, but the damage had already been well and truly done.

Modou Barrow celebrates his second of two goals as Reading eased past Sunderland

Modou Barrow celebrates his second of two goals as Reading eased past Sunderland

Barrow slots home his second goal to secure a 3-0 advantage for the Royals

Barrow slots home his second goal to secure a 3-0 advantage for the Royals

Barrow scored twice in a matter of minutes to put the result beyond all doubt for the visitors

Barrow scored twice in a matter of minutes to put the result beyond all doubt for the visitors

The Black Cats, deep in relegation trouble and who had to play the second half with 10 men following Callum McManaman's sending off for a second caution before the break, have now gone a staggering 21 games without winning on Wearside.


Even in the short space of time Coleman has been in charge, he has encountered his fair share of injury problems and he suffered another in the pre-match warm-up - well before McManaman contributed in his own special way too.

Paddy McNair, due to start in the middle, had to be withdrawn from the starting line-up after injuring himself beforehand, so Darron Gibson had to be introduced as a late replacement.

It was hardly the sort of thing Sunderland, looking for the same set of players to build on the victory at Burton a week earlier, needed to deliver the result that would have lifted them out of the bottom three.

David Edwards bundled in the opening goal before Barrow's quick-fire double

David Edwards bundled in the opening goal before Barrow's quick-fire double

Jaap Stam praises his side with Reading having now lost just once in their last seven games

Jaap Stam praises his side with Reading having now lost just once in their last seven games

Barrow volleys the visitors' second goal past Sunderland goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter

Barrow volleys the visitors' second goal past Sunderland goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter

MATCH FACTS AND TABLE

Sunderland (4-2-3-1)

Ruiter; Matthews, Browning, O'Shea, Oviedo; Cattermole, Gibson; McManaman, Honeyman, McGeady; Grabban

Subs not used: Steele, Galloway, Maja, Love, Gooch, Asoro, Wilson

Goals: Grabban (Pen) 76

Sent off: McManaman 45+3 

Reading (4-2-3-1)

Mannone; Bacuna, McShane, Moore, Gunter; van den Berg, Edwards; Aluko, Kelly, Barrow; Kermorgant

Subs not used: Beerens, Tiago Ilori, Clement, Bodvarsson, Blackett, Popa, Jaakkola

Goals: Edwards 53; Barrow 68, 71

Referee: Keith Stroud

Season at a glance

  • Championship
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga


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And after a bright start by the hosts, when George Honeyman curled an effort from distance wide of the far post, it was Reading who looked more dangerous on the attack.

Yann Kermorgant, lively in the final third, powered an effort over the bar while his low cross to the near post was somehow turned over by Edwards when it looked easier to score.

The rest of the half was more about the referee, Keith Stroud. 

He could easily have dished out a second caution to Lee Cattermole, less than three minutes after his first, for a trip on Sone Aluko before he did reach for his red card deep into first half stoppage-time.

Reading's victory at the Stadium of Light condemned Sunderland's winless run to 21 games

Reading's victory at the Stadium of Light condemned Sunderland's winless run to 21 games

Callum McManaman is dismissed by referee Kevin Stroud for a deliberate handball

Callum McManaman is dismissed by referee Kevin Stroud for a deliberate handball

Substitute Joel Asoro is fouled by Leandro Bacuna as Sunderland are awarded a penalty

Substitute Joel Asoro is fouled by Leandro Bacuna as Sunderland are awarded a penalty

Lewis Grabban converted from the spot but it wasn't enough to inspire a comeback

Lewis Grabban converted from the spot but it wasn't enough to inspire a comeback

When Adam Matthews delivered a dipping cross from the byline it looked like it might drop over the line on its own, but McManaman's attempts to make sure saw him use his arm to find the net.

On top of his needless challenge deep in the Reading half on Barrow earlier in the half, McManaman trudged off the pitch and into the dressing room - and Coleman's goal celebrations were cut short.

After that it was no surprise when Reading took the lead in the 53rd minute. Aiden McGeady cheaply lost possession in the visitors half, and the counter-attack ended with Aluko's effort deflecting into the path of Edwards to slide in and finish.

Then Barrow struck his two goals inside three minutes to put the game safe. After volleying inside goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter's near post, he added a second with a cool finish following a flick from Kermorgant.

The introduction of Swedish teenager Asoro improved Sunderland's performance in the closing stages. He won the penalty, after testing Mannone, for Grabban to convert with a quarter of an hour remaining. It was Reading, though, who marched on.

Sunderland are 23rd in the Championship with goal difference separating them from Burton

Sunderland are 23rd in the Championship with goal difference separating them from Burton

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman watched his side fall to their 10th defeat of the season

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman watched his side fall to their 10th defeat of the season

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