Graham Pearcey

Date: 28 February 2026

For the third time in a row I watched a 1-1 draw. And yet again both goals were scored at the far end from where I was sitting!

Having managed to get a seat in the East Stand for once (albeit at the north end of it) I basked at times in the warm February sun.

Adli and Evanilson had been unexpectedly dropped from the starting line-up to make way for Brooks and Tavernier. Sunderland won the toss and opted to swop ends – not sure why, but it worked for them and they dominated the first half, including in the 18th minute a goal scored at close range by Mayenda who benefited from a perfect pass.

We had odd moments when we came to life in the first half, including several corner kicks – taken by Kroupi, Scott, Brooks (captain for the day), or (in the second half) Christie. I thought Brooks’ corners were the best, and he also adapted well to playing on the unfamiliar left wing, but he was still replaced at half time (by Evanilson, who was later subbed off again).

We played better overall in the second half and Tavernier, having switched to the left wing when Kroupi moved to the number 10 position, sent a brilliant cross over to Evanilson, who scored from close range. The ball may have touched his shoulder, but VAR decided it wasn’t a ‘handball’ so the goal stood for 1-1.

In fact VAR was our friend today! Apart from allowing that goal it also decided Jiménez was innocent of a tackle that on another day might have given away a penalty; it also decided an Adams tackle was a yellow card not a red; and also that a second Sunderland ‘goal’ was offside!

The team lined up as follows at the start of the game:

Petrovic;
Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert;
Scott, Adams;
Rayan, Tavernier, Brooks;
Kroupi

By the end the line-up was:

Petrovic;
Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert;
Christie, Scott;
Rayan, Toth, Adli;
Unal

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