3 things we clearly learnt about Sunderland after their 3-0 win over Reading | OneFootball

Sunderland enjoyed an excellent night on Wednesday, as they claimed an emphatic 3-0 win over Reading at The Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Two goals in as many minutes shortly before half time from Patrick Roberts put the Black Cats well in control at the break, before Jack Clarke finished an excellent team move to secure the three points midway through the second half.

That result means that Sunderland now sit sixth in the Championship table, and will give the recently appointed Tony Mowbray plenty to think about going forward.

So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three things we learned about Sunderland from that win at Reading, right here.

Patrick Roberts hits form at just the right time

Having signed a new contract to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light during the summer, Roberts had taken some time to get going in the Championship, failing to score prior to that trip to Reading.

All that changed though, in the space of those two minutes shortly before half time, with the 25-year-old producing two well taken finishes to put his side well in control of the game, and prove that he can indeed make an impact in front of goal in the second-tier.

With Ross Stewart already out through injury, and with Ellis Simms being forced off just moments before Roberts opened the scoring to leave the Black Cats badly short on firepower, the former Manchester City man may well have picked the perfect moment to find his goalscoring touch.

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Elliot Embleton sends a message

It also turned out to be a good night for the man replaced the aforementioned Simms on the pitch at Reading, Elliot Embleton.

While he has featured in every leaue games so far this season, the midfielder has yet to start a match since Tony Mowbray took over as Sunderland’s manager.

But with those injuries taking their toll on the Black Cats’ attacking options, and Embleton producing two well executed passes to set up Roberts for his two goals as part of an eye-catching performance, the 23-year-old is another who may have found his form at the right moment both for himself, and his club.

For all the talk about how strong Sunderland ought to be at the Stadium of Light this season with their huge backing at home, it is worth noting the Black Cats look like they will be a challenge on the road too.

Following that victory away at the Royals, there is now just one team to have taken more points away from home this season than the Black Cats, who now have nine away points already this season.

The strength of Sunderland away from home is further backed up by the fact that Reading had won all four of their Championship home games prior to Wednesday night, highlighting the potential for the Black Cats to claim points wherever they are playing this season, which will serve them well as they look to re-establish themselves in the second-tier.