1-0, MIN. 12, RODWELL 2-0, MIN. 16, DEFOE 2-1, MIN. 19, OYELEKE 2-2, MIN. 31, WHEELER 3-2, MIN. 39, DEFOE 3-3, MIN. 43, MCCREADY 4-3, MIN. 64, RODWELL 5-3, MIN. 78, WATMORE 6-3, MIN. 87, DEFOE
Sunderland managed to edge through to the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night when they came out on top of an entertaining 6-3 victory over League Two’s Exeter City.
Jack Rodwell and Jermain Defoe gave the home side an early two-goal lead before two shock strikes from Emmanuel Oyeleke and David Wheeler brought them level. The Black Cats looked to be heading into the break in the lead after Defoe’s second but Tom McCready brought it level again.
Rodwell got his second to regain Sunderland’s lead with youngster Duncan Watmore adding a fifth before Defoe rounded off the spectacle when he completed his hat-trick.
Perfect start
Dick Advocaat’s side got off to the perfect start when they took the lead after 12 minutes, the gap in quality was clear to see as the ball managed to go straight through to Rodwell and the midfielder easily slotted home.
Four minutes later it was two, as Rodwell turned provider this time. He played it off to Defoe, who did well to curl his effort from the left-hand side of the six-yard box into the top corner.
The fightback
It seemed to be heading for a drought but the League Two side gave themselves a glimmer of hope when they got one back in the 18th minute. Oyeleke was in a very similar position to his opponent Defoe, but he slotted it into the bottom corner this time round.
On the half-hour mark they were level, much to the shock of the Stadium of Light faithful. Lee Holmes put a great cross into the box and it was Wheeler who rose highest with his header finding the top corner in some style.
Raining goals
Defoe put the home side ahead once again seven minutes before the break. Rodwell again turned provider as he played it into the England striker who buried it into the bottom corner.
The Black Cats looked to be heading into the break with the advantage but it was McCready who levelled things up. Goalscorer Wheeler played it through to the Englishman who hit a sweet shot down the centre of the goal past Costel Pantilimon.
Sunderland kill off the game
It wasn’t long into the second period until the home side took the lead once again, Sebastian Larsson played a good ball into the box and Rodwell was on hand to head the ball into the net.
Watmore put some breathing space between the two sides with 13 minutes to play, the youngster was one-on-one with Robert Olejnik and despite his lack of experience he coolly slotted his shot into the net.
Defoe rounds it off
Defoe had a great opportunity with seven minutes to play, but it was well saved by the 'keeper in the bottom corner. However, he eventually completed his trio of goals to kill off the League Two side. It was Larsson again who played the ball into a dangerous area and Defoe tapped it in from close range to send them through.
Late opportunities
Despite their advantage Sunderland continued to push with Rodwell almost grabbing his own hat-trick but his long-range effort was well collected.
Exeter weren’t going down without a fight with Aaron Davies finding the target, but it was comfortably saved by Pantilimon.
The final opportunity fell to goal scorer Watmore, who was looking for his brace, but his long-range effort was high of the mark. He wasn't overly worries however, as the damage had already been done.
