SUNDERLAND 3
READING 0
James McClean turned the clock back a year as Sunderland handed their manager Martin O'Neill a long overdue league victory last night.
Twelve months to the day since making his senior debut as a substitute in O'Neill's first game in charge, a 2-1 win over Blackburn, the Republic of Ireland internationalist fired them into a third-minute lead which they were never in danger of relinquishing.
Steven Fletcher, inset, whose return from an ankle injury gave his team a more threatening appearance, increased the advantage with an audacious 28th-minute back-heel, before Stephane Sessegnon rounded Adam Federici at the death to secure just a third league win in 24 attempts and the first against 11 men since March.
O'Neill was adamant in the run-up to the rearranged fixture that it was not a must-win affair, and with owner and chairman Ellis Short a supportive presence at the stadium before kick-off, the club was presenting a united front. However, a comfortable victory which lifted Sunderland out of the relegation zone was welcome none the less as some of the darker clouds hanging over the Stadium of Light dispersed.
The same cannot be said of promoted Reading, who remain locked in a battle for survival having won only one top-flight game to date, and who showed few signs of improving upon that record on Wearside in front of a crowd of 37,723.
Short was a prominent presence in the press room before kick-off and ready to take issue with anyone who had the temerity to suggest O'Neill's reign could be drawing to a close. Sources on Wearside had insisted earlier in the day that the manager's job was safe regardless of what happened last night, but as the first half unfolded, any fears the Ulsterman might have had evaporated.
Fletcher was always a handful for Reading and his goal was no surprise, a trademark flick home from a Danny Rose low cross at the near post.
Twelve months to the day since making his senior debut as a substitute in O'Neill's first game in charge, a 2-1 win over Blackburn, the Republic of Ireland internationalist fired them into a third-minute lead which they were never in danger of relinquishing.
Steven Fletcher, inset, whose return from an ankle injury gave his team a more threatening appearance, increased the advantage with an audacious 28th-minute back-heel, before Stephane Sessegnon rounded Adam Federici at the death to secure just a third league win in 24 attempts and the first against 11 men since March.
O'Neill was adamant in the run-up to the rearranged fixture that it was not a must-win affair, and with owner and chairman Ellis Short a supportive presence at the stadium before kick-off, the club was presenting a united front. However, a comfortable victory which lifted Sunderland out of the relegation zone was welcome none the less as some of the darker clouds hanging over the Stadium of Light dispersed.
The same cannot be said of promoted Reading, who remain locked in a battle for survival having won only one top-flight game to date, and who showed few signs of improving upon that record on Wearside in front of a crowd of 37,723.
Short was a prominent presence in the press room before kick-off and ready to take issue with anyone who had the temerity to suggest O'Neill's reign could be drawing to a close. Sources on Wearside had insisted earlier in the day that the manager's job was safe regardless of what happened last night, but as the first half unfolded, any fears the Ulsterman might have had evaporated.
Fletcher was always a handful for Reading and his goal was no surprise, a trademark flick home from a Danny Rose low cross at the near post.
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