MX23RW : Friday, January 24 08:19:24| >> :120:3760:3760:
[monks data]
Sunderland
Premier League
Jan 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Burnley logo

2-0

Wickham (20'), Defoe (34')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Connor Wickham, Jermain Defoe hand Sunderland victory

Sunderland beat Burnley 2-0 courtesy of first-half goals from Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe.

First-half goals from Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe were enough to hand Sunderland a 2-0 victory over Burnley this afternoon as the Black Cats picked up their first Premier League win in six attempts.

Jermain Defoe of Sunderland embraces Manager Gustavo Poyet of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match against Burnley on January 31, 2015© Getty Images

Both sides looked to attack in the opening few minutes and George Boyd should have done better with a precise Kieran Trippier cross, before Defoe saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.

Wickham then thought that he had put his side ahead after 12 minutes, but the referee blew his whistle for a foul in the build-up to the striker finding the back of the net.

Burnley were almost handed the lead when Costel Pantilimon dropped the ball at the feet of David Jones, but the giant goalkeeper recovered to save his shot.

Ashley Barnes then nodded wide of the target at the far post and, within a couple of minutes, the home side took the lead.

Connor Wickham of Sunderland scores the opening goal past Thomas Heaton of Burnley during the Barclays Premier League match against Burnley on January 31, 2015© Getty Images

Anthony Reveillere sent a teasing cross into the box which Wickham attacked to send a firm header into the back of the net.

Boyd was then denied by a sprawling Pantilimon save and, just as Barnes was punished by Wickham, Defoe made the midfielder pay with a poacher's finish from six yards out as he opened his Sunderland account.

Defoe should have netted his second goal two minutes after the break, but he could only direct Patrick van Aanholt's cross into the hands of Tom Heaton.

Dean Marney then headed at Pantilimon before Barnes saw an effort deflected wide as Burnley refused to give in.

Wickham blazed an effort over the crossbar before Ben Mee became the next Burnley player to waste a good opportunity as he directed a free header too high on an afternoon that the visitors were left to rue missed chances.

ID:202506: cacheID:202506:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4876:
Written by
Kristian Johnson
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Connor Wickham of Sunderland scores the opening goal past Thomas Heaton of Burnley during the Barclays Premier League match against Burnley on January 31, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Defoe nets as Sunderland lead by two
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds28178353193459
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd28186440182258
3Burnley28151123692756
4Sunderland28159440221854
5Middlesbrough28128846341244
6Blackburn RoversBlackburn28126103126542
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2891453324941
8Watford28125113939041
9Bristol City2891183533238
10Queens Park RangersQPR2891183235-338
11Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds28108104045-538
12Norwich CityNorwich2899104341236
13Coventry CityCoventry2898113737035
14Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2898113343-1035
15Swansea CitySwansea2897123135-434
16Preston North EndPreston2871383035-534
17Millwall27710102626031
18Portsmouth2778123546-1129
19Stoke CityStoke28610122636-1028
20Cardiff CityCardiff28610123143-1228
21Derby CountyDerby2876153138-727
22Hull City2868142738-1126
23Luton TownLuton2875162947-1826
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2849152560-3521


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!