Sunderland 3-0 Reading: Black Cats maul Royals

Sunderland beat Reading 3-0 at the Stadium of Light as the Royals’ survival bid received another blow.

The Berkshire outfit have struggled since their promotion to the Premier League, only winning one of their sixteen games so far.

And Brian Mcdermott, who up until now has still found favour with the club’s supporters, faces a tough task to save last year’s Championship winners as they sit six points adrift of safety.

The Black Cats took the lead after just three minutes as Adam Federici only half cleared a corner and winger James Mcclean wrapped a shot low into the bottom corner past the Australian shotstopper.

And the home side were relentless in their quest for a second as Sebastian Larsson saw a shot saved and Adam Johnson hit the side netting.

Martin O’Neill’s side did eventually double their lead after 28 minutes as Steven Fletcher, who had gone three games without a goal, back heeled Danny Rose’s left-wing cross into the back of the net.

Nicky Shorey and Nicky Hut both had chances for McDermott’s Royals but they couldn’t find their way back into the match.

And, to put a shine on the victory, Stephane Sessegnon coolly rounded Federici, after outmuscling Adrian Mariappa, to slot the ball into an empty net.

Sunderland now climb out of the relegation zone and up to 15th as O’Neill looks to improve on his side’s recent poor form.