SUNDERLAND finally broke their Wembley jinx as Lynden Gooch’s second-half strike saw them win at the national stadium for the first time since 1973.
Gooch converted from the edge of the box just before the hour mark and his team held on to lift the 2021 Papa John’s EFL Trophy – beating Tranmere 1-0.
Sunderland won at Wembley for the first time in 48 years to lift the Papa John’s TrophyCredit: Rex Features
Lynden Gooch scored the winner just before the hour markCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Mackems had not won in seven attempts at the national stadium since beating Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final.
And although – as boss Lee Johnson put it – ‘it’s not the biggest trophy’ Sunderland fans will be gutted they couldn’t be there to see them shake off the Wembley voodoo.
Prior to match Rovers fans were simply asking the North East side not to batter them considering they’re chasing promotion in the league above.
But in reality, the League Two side did themselves proud.
Their five shots on target dwarfed Sunderland’s one but Gooch’s right-foot effort was the only one that went in and therefore the only one that really mattered.
There was little to separate the teams in an entertaining contest – but a moment of quality proved decisive in the 57th minute when Aiden McGeady split the Tranmere defence with a through-ball and United States international Gooch finished off the chance.
League Two beat League One in Saturday’s 2020 final as Salford saw off Portsmouth – but there was no repeat the following day despite a spirited display from Keith Hill’s team.
Tranmere had the best chance of the first half in the 15th minute when Grant Leadbitter’s attempted clearance of Danny Lloyd’s shot was well kept out by stretching Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge.
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The Mackems had not won in seven attempts at the national stadium since beating Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup finalCredit: Rex Features
Chris Maguire, starting a game for the first time since December in the absence of the injured Aiden O’Brien, fired Sunderland’s first attempt wide before Tranmere threatened again through Kieron Morris’ blocked effort and Lloyd’s header, straight at Burge.
Maguire saw a 29th-minute shot deflected wide for a corner before an unmarked Max Power failed to make the most of a header at the far post.
Veteran Rovers defender Peter Clarke was penalised for a foul on Charlie Wyke in the 38th minute, giving McGeady a free-kick in a similar position to one he scored from in the 2019 final against Portsmouth – but this time the 34-year-old fired well over.
The Black Cats were forced into their first change in the 44th minute when central defender Tom Flanagan, who needed early treatment for a head injury, was replaced by Conor McLaughlin before Leadbitter produced a timely block to deny Lloyd.
Otis Khan nutmegged Luke O’Nien before drawing a diving save from Burge within three minutes of the restart, as Tranmere continued to look dangerous.
However, Lee Johnson’s team responded in the 51st minute when 26-goal top scorer Wyke failed to make the right connection with McGeady’s driven cross.
Then came the key moment, McGeady’s vision and incisive pass setting up Gooch who advanced and coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Scott Davies.
Maguire was replaced by Jack Diamond five minutes later, with Tranmere bringing on on-loan Preston striker David Nugent and Corey Blackett-Taylor for Lloyd and Paul Lewis.
The League Two side responded with a good spell of pressure, with O’Nien blocking a George Ray shot, Nugent narrowly failing to connect with a cross and Blackett-Taylor testing Burge.
However, Sunderland, who came close themselves when McLaughlin’s 76th-minute effort was tipped onto the bar and over by Davies, held on to end their long wait for Wembley success.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
