Sunderland close in on leaders after Isidor strike sees off Sheffield United

01/01/2025 05:00 PM

Wilson Isidor, Jobe Bellingham and the rest of Régis Le Bris's vibrant young side are not about to give up on automatic promotion quite yet. This statement victory, secured thanks to Isidor's fine winning goal, not merely preserved Sunderland's unbeaten home record in the Championship this season but kept them fourth, only two points and one place behind a suddenly mortal-looking Sheffield United.

Three games without a win has left Chris Wilder's team three points in arrears of the leaders, Leeds and trailing second-place Burnley on goal difference. Given that the round trip from Bramall Lane to the Stadium of Light is 260 miles by road, an 8pm kick-off on a public holiday coinciding with a wholesale public transport shutdown in the north-east was probably not the brightest of ideas.