On december 2012
by Stuart Vose
James McClean marked the anniversary of his stunning Sunderland debut with an early goal to set his side on the road to victory over Reading.
McClean first entered the fray in red and white exactly a year previous and he terrorised the Royals from the first whistle.
The Irish winger opened the scoring after just three minutes with his first goal of the season, firing in on the turn after after Adam Johnson's corner was only half-cleared.
McClean's strike was the ideal platform on which Sunderland built an important win.
They went on to double the lead through a sublime back-heel from leading marksman Steven Fletcher just before the half-hour.
Sunderland were grateful to two excellent second-half saves from Simon Mignolet to preserve the clean sheet, but the hosts hit back in decisive fashion as Stephane Sessegnon swept away to slot home a well-taken – and well deserved – third goal in addded time.
A clipped ball forward by Carlos Cuellar sent Sessegnon racing away, and the man from Benin shimmied his way around a sprawling Federici to side-foot the ball into the empty net amidst the roars of an ecstatic home crowd. Read more
Sunderland:
Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Colback, Johnson (Bardsley 46, (Bramble 75)), Rose (Vaughan 69), Larsson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher.
Reading:
Federici, Cummings, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey, McCleary (Samuel 72), Tabb, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Le Fondre.
Goles: McClean (3'), Fletcher (28'), Sessegnon (90').
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