Sunderland were able to get their first League One win of the season, securing a hard fought victory away to Oxford United.
Luke O'Nein's volley just after half time and substitute Lyndon Gooch's solo effort were the only moments of quality in a poor affair.
Story of the match
The first half was marred by needless fouling, with the referee not allowing either side to build up any real momentum.
Chances were few and far between with Sunderland's big chance of the half coming after only four minutes. Chris Maguire whipping in a free kick from the right, Bailey Wright connecting with it but was only able to send his header crashing against the crossbar.
Oxford's best chance early on fell to forward Matty Taylor, heading past Lee Burge in the Sunderland goal who was hesitant, but it's only able to roll across the goal.
Their best chance of the half came after 43 minutes. Rob Atkinson getting into the box, squaring for Sam Long but his low shot is well saved by Burge low to his right.
Sunderland's other big chance of the half was scrappy. A Grant Leadbitter free kick causing chaos in the Oxford box, both Aiden O'Brien's header and Luke O'Nein's shot were blocked.
Phil Parkinson needed to change something. He had gone safe with his team selection, opting to pick the experienced Leadbitter over the inform Josh Scowen. It hadn't paid off, Sunderland were slow and lacked cutting edge. As for Oxford, their play-off final hangover looked real, they looked a shadow of the side last year.
Into the second half and whatever Phil Parkinson said worked. It took two minutes to score a low cross played in by Denver Hume from the left, which bounced around and fell to O'Nein on the right, who slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Simon Eastwood's goal.
The goal spurred Sunderland on and they should have made it two shortly after. An O'Nein crossed was cleared to Hume who's shot across was heading wide as O'Brien stretched to direct it goalward but could only poke it wide.
The second goal came late on as Oxford tired. Substitute Lyndon Gooch went on a mazy run through lethargic challenges and slotted into the bottom right hand corner. A brilliant goal and a rare moment of quality that the game lacked.
Man of the match: Luke O'Nein
Scoring Sunderland's first goal, his overall performance was impressive. You know what you get with him, bags of energy and a 8/10 performance consistently. The midfielder took the goal well and will be crucial for Sunderland this season.
Takeaways
Good result but still room to improve
Sunderland will be happy with the result and clean sheet but they faced little fightback from Oxford. Against better opposition, their lack of speed and cutting edge will come back to bite them. Improvement is necessary if they are to achieve their goal of promotion.
Oxford need to put the play-off final behind them
Oxford came so close to the Championship last season but fell short. Karl Robinson needs to galvanise his players because they were sub-par and had they been up to scratch, could have took all three points. If they are to challenge for the play-offs again they must improve sooner rather than later.
