Sunderland beat Millwall in a spirited second half

Sunderland’s spirited display in the second half secured a convincing victory against an in-form Millwall to move them within a point of the Championship top six.

With the crowd on fire and Sunderland’s tail raised, Alex Pritchard hammered his angled shot past George Long to double the lead shortly after, after good work from Lynden Gooch to pick him out.

Millwall were unchecked despite the setback, and Anthony Patterson had to be vigilant to return a whirling Flemming cross.

Simms finally ended any hope of a fight back in stoppage time, when he latched onto a long ball over the top, rose above the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Few inside the Stadium of Light on a chilly December afternoon could have predicted the home side’s second-half fireworks after a first half punctuated by the whistle of referee Tim Robinson.

The ball was an aside for much of the half, as both teams slammed and fussed, conceded free-kicks and didn’t give much option for creativity.

That said, Gary Rowett’s visitors were the best early on with possession and some impressive touches from Andreas Voglsammer in particular, but failed to create too many clean chances.

Diallo should have fired when he instead tried to be cute inside the box for Sunderland, while Flemming was given a chance gift in the dying seconds of half-time after the reckless clearance from Patterson was placed directly to her, but the snapshot leaked out.

Everything Mowbray said to his players on the break had a rejuvenating effect as they found rhythm and purpose in their game.

Pritchard was a major influence, playing a key role in one goal and scoring the other, before making way for Elliot Embleton.

Simms’ channel management allowed Sunderland to get around giant Charlie Cresswell and Jake Cooper at the back, as Millwall’s earlier dominance evaporated, and his late goal was the reward for that labor.

As Sunderland close in on the play-off places, the defeat sees Millwall drop out on goal difference.