Match ends, Blackpool 0, Sunderland 1.
BlackpoolBlackpool0SunderlandSunderland1
Sunderland strengthened their position in the League One promotion race as Josh Maja's first-half finish secured a narrow win at Blackpool.
Jack Ross' side were roared on by 7,804 travelling fans at Bloomfield Road and the visiting army had plenty to shout about when Maja broke the deadlock midway through the first half.
The forward's future remains shrouded in doubt given his refusal to sign a new deal on Wearside, but his importance to the Sunderland cause was emphasised as he stole ahead of his marker to flick home Aiden McGeady's cross and claim his 14th league goal of the season.
Blackpool rallied gamely to try to claim an equaliser and Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin was forced to produce an excellent first-half save as he kept out Chris Taylor's back-post effort with his feet.
The hosts went even closer three minutes after the break, with Armand Gnanduillet poking the ball past McLaughlin only for a back-tracking Jack Baldwin to hack clear from the goal-line via a rebound off his own post.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Blackpool
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Howard
- 2Daniels
- 5O'ConnorBooked at 55mins
- 6Heneghan
- 8Spearing
- 19TaylorSubstituted forPritchardat 84'minutes
- 27Bola
- 25Guy
- 7DelfounesoSubstituted forDodooat 71'minutes
- 21Gnanduillet
- 24Feeney
Substitutes
- 11Dodoo
- 12Nottingham
- 14Pritchard
- 18O'Sullivan
- 26Davies
- 34Shaw
- 37Mafoumbi
Sunderland
Formation 4-4-2
- 1McLaughlin
- 13O'Nien
- 12Flanagan
- 15Baldwin
- 16James
- 27Power
- 6CattermoleBooked at 18mins
- 11GoochBooked at 55mins
- 19McGeady
- 20MajaSubstituted forMaguireat 88'minutes
- 9WykeSubstituted forMcGeouchat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Ozturk
- 7Maguire
- 8McGeouch
- 17Sinclair
- 25Ruiter
- 37Mumba
- 48Mbunga-Kimpioka
- Referee:
- Darren Drysdale
- Attendance:
- 10,994
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackpoolAway TeamSunderland
- Possession
- Home45%
- Away55%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackpool 0, Sunderland 1.
Post update
Marc Bola (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Max Power (Sunderland).
Post update
Attempt missed. Max Power (Sunderland) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Dylan McGeouch.
Post update
Foul by Armand Gnanduillet (Blackpool).
Post update
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Chris Maguire replaces Josh Maja.
Post update
Harry Pritchard (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Dylan McGeouch (Sunderland).
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. Harry Pritchard replaces Chris Taylor.
Substitution
Substitution, Sunderland. Dylan McGeouch replaces Charlie Wyke.
Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Lee Cattermole.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Chris Taylor (Blackpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Armand Gnanduillet (Blackpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Donervon Daniels.
Post update
Attempt missed. Aiden McGeady (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Armand Gnanduillet (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Luke O'Nien (Sunderland).
