SUNDERLAND'S promotion hopes suffered a major dent as they crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Rotherham United.
Michael Smith and Freddie Ladapo’s doubles alongside Michael Ihiekwe’s header sealed the Millers the points over Lee Johnson’s ten men following Aiden McGeady’s second-half dismissal.
Rotherham took a tenth-minute lead, with Smith heading into the far corner after a clever pass from Ladapo.
Sunderland struck back in the 24th minute, with Ross Stewart wriggling his way into the box and then driving a low effort beyond Josh Vickers.
Rotherham were back ahead on 41 minutes with Ladapo on hand to finish off from close range from Smith’s low cross.
The two-goal advantage came in the 53rd minute when Ihiekwe powered in from Shane Ferguson’s corner.
Sunderland were dealt a further blow in the 56th minute when McGeady lost his cool and received a second yellow card for lunging in late on Wes Harding.
Smith added further punishment as he headed in at the back post on 73 minutes from Rarmani Edmonds-Green’s cross.
It was five on 88 minutes with Joshua Kayode rounding Thorben Hoffmann and unselfishly supplying Ladapo with a tap-in.
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