SUNDERLAND climbed to the top of League One with an outstanding performance against Cheltenham Town. 

The Black Cats five passed the away side as they continued their hot streak at home with six wins on the bounce. 

Digital Sports Writer Matty Jones was watching the game at the Stadium of Light. 

MATCH STATS:

Goals: Wright 11’ (glancing header from a corner), Stewart 28’ (sliding the ball under Flinders from flowing move) 38’ (putting the ball into empty net after McGeady squared), O’Nien 65’ (finishing low with his left foot from C Evans cutback), Dakaju 66’ (curling effort into the top corner from rebound)

Bookings: Freestone 30’ (for chopping Stewart in a late challenge)

Referee: Christopher Sarginson – not a lot of controversial decisions to make as the Black Cats eased to victory

Attendance: 28,313

Entertainment: ****

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2):

7 Hoffman – Can’t say he had a lot to do but was steady and communicated well with the defence

8 Winchester – Another outstanding performance from right-back with some fantastic balls through. One assist for Stewart’s goal.

8 Wright – A top performance respond for lack of game time this season and took his goal well from the corner.

7 Flanagan – Steady performance and ever and is an assured passer across the defensive areas.

7 Huggins – Energetic and comfortable on the left hand side and provided a threat going forward.

9 O’Nien – Has been outstanding all season and showed the energy and commitment that makes him indispensable to the team. Took his goal very well.

8 C Evans – Showed his class and presence in the heart of the midfield and laid on a great pass for O’Nien’s goal. Can still get up and down the pitch.

9 Broadhead – Outstanding performance. Played the number ten role brilliantly being the provider and the architect for many of the goals. So unlucky not to score himself.

7 O’Brien – A strong performance against a bad Cheltenham side and will have given the manager food for thought in the weeks to come.

8 McGeady – Two assists for the winger to no ones surprise tonight and perhaps was unlucky not to score himself.

9 Stewart – Got into some great positions to get his goals this evening and brought others into play. Cheltenham couldn’t cope with him.

Subs:

6 Alves 56’ – In truth, he didn’t have a lot to do but was comfortable on the ball in defence.

7 Dajaku 61’ – Was energetic on the right hand side and took his goal really well on his weaker foot when the ball fell his way.

N/A Pritchard 74’

Subs not used: Burge, Embleton, Taylor, Pritchard, Neil

CHELTENHAM (3-4-2-1):

Flinders 3; Long 4, Pollock 3 (May 45’), Freestone 4; Blair 4, Hussey 5, Thomas 4, Chapman 4; Sercombe 5, Perry 6 (Barkers 70’); Joseph 6 (Horton 70’)

Subs not used: O Evans, May, Williams, Bonds, Norton

Man of the match: Nathan Broadhead – Hard to pick one but he was the architect behind the second and third goal and was so unlucky not to score. Took his chance in the side very well.