Sunderland 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: Rovers edge toothless Black Cats

Sunderland, who made seven changes after Friday’s loss at Bristol City, created plenty of opportunities but failed to make them pay.

Wilson Isidor went close early on, firing goalwards after being fed in the area by Harrison Jones. His shot was straight at Balazs Toth, but the Blackburn goalkeeper struggled to hold it.

Their dominance continued, even if clear chances did not follow. Isidor again went close, this time with a clever volley from a tight angle on the half-hour mark.

But Blackburn punished them just moments later; after being picked out by Cauley Woodrow, Dolan found space before lashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

Tom Watson and Jones were busy in midfield for the home side as they immediately regained control, but they struggled to find the required cutting edge before the break. Rovers’ defensive rear-guard was steadfast, if rarely tested.

The pattern of the game picked up where it left off in the second half, frustratingly so for Sunderland.

Black Cats midfielder Tom Watson whipped a wonderful cross on 55 minutes and Isidor snatched at a shot soon after, firing wide of the target.

Regis le Bris made a number of substitutions, bringing on Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda and Enzo le Fee, but it made little difference, while Jobe Bellingham tested Toth but it was the same story for Sunderland in front of goal.

For Blackburn, there is hope of an extended season after a valuable away performance, but Sunderland will need to arrest this slide once the play-offs begin.