Match Day Thread Pompey v Sunderland - Checkatrade Trophy Final

I think Bogle went for the freekick then. I think he knew he couldn't do much himself. Now Pompey have a freekick near the corner of the Sunderland box.

 

Nothing comes from it. It was a decent ball in but it ended up headed straight into the keepers arms - still, Pompey's first real opportunity of the match

 

Morgan looking dangerous for Sunderland. Running Pompey's defence a bit ragged and had two shots so far, one very off-target the other delivering a corner.

 

Pompey are defending alright, but I'd say Sunderland are more in control of the match after 15 minutes.

 

Morgan again looking dangerous and getting another shot in. A long shot but he's getting too many opportunities.

Curtis got his first shot of the match, a long shot that was wide, but he's getting into the game.

 

Curtis was bundled off the ball in what looked more like a foul than the freekick Bogle got earlier but the ref gave nothing.

 

Sunderland do look the quicker team.

 

Naylor lucky not to get a card for that foul on McGeady. Now Sunderland have a freekick outside Pompey's area - which is headed out for a corner.

 

Sunderland looking increasingly more dangerous as Pompey struggle to get hold of the ball.

 

A late challenge by Curtis gives Sunderland another freekick outside Pompey's area and produces the first yellow card of the game.

 

A longshot from Morgan produces the first real save of the game from McGilliveray

 

Pompey just cannot keep hold of the ball for any lenght of time.

 

Another freekick outside Pompey's area, but it might have been a bit of a dive from McGeady.

 

1-0

McGeady gives Sunderland the lead with a freekick, and they fully deserve it. They've wanted it more than Pompey throughout this first half. They've been dominant.

 

McGeady was fortunate, and Pompey unfortunate, as his freekick deflected off Matt Clarke's shoulder taking beyond McGilliveray.

 

McGready scores Pompey 0 Sunderland 1

Ooof.

 

Pittman hasn't been in the game at all.

 

Now Pompey are getting it into the Sunderland half with less than five minutes remaining.

 

1 minute of injury time

 

Half-time. Sunderland lead. They just want it more. They're quicker to the loose balls and faster closing down, and as a result Pompey just couldn't get hold of the ball and spent most of the first half defending. We defended pretty well and were a bit unfortunate with the goal, but Sunderland fully deserve to lead at half-time.