Eliezer Mayenda played a decisive role once again as his double helped Sunderland secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, keeping their Championship automatic promotion hopes alive. Mayenda, who had previously scored twice against Wednesday in August, struck again, with his first goal sparking controversy after appearing to control the ball with his arm before slotting home. The win moved Sunderland within five points of second-placed Sheffield United, ending a run of back-to-back league defeats.
Sheffield Wednesday started brightly, with Svante Ingelsson’s early long throws causing trouble in the Sunderland box. A strong penalty appeal was waved away after the ball appeared to strike the arm of Leo Hjelde following a challenge with teammate Chris Mepham. At the other end, Mayenda tested James Beadle with a shot from the edge of the area, while Josh Windass squandered a golden opportunity in the 17th minute, firing over from 12 yards after good work from Djeidi Gassama and Pol Valentín.
The hosts continued to push forward, and Callum Paterson came close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute, narrowly heading over from another Valentín cross. Michael Ihiekwe then sent a tame header into the hands of Anthony Patterson before Sunderland took the lead in contentious fashion. Hjelde’s long ball was misjudged by Max Lowe, and Mayenda appeared to control with his arm before slotting home via a deflection.
Wednesday responded after the interval, equalizing in the 48th minute. Ingelsson capitalized on a mistake from Mepham and delivered a perfect cross for Paterson, who nodded in from close range Wednesday’s first goal against a top-four club in seven matches. Just minutes later, Ingelsson nearly put his side ahead when Sunderland’s high press led to a turnover, but Patterson tipped his rising drive over the bar.
Sunderland, struggling to create clear chances in the second half, finally put together a threatening attack when Mayenda beat Ihiekwe and set up Alan Browne, but Ingelsson made a crucial block. With 19 minutes remaining, Mayenda struck again, heading in from six yards after a pinpoint cross from Trai Hume.
Romaine Mundle almost snatched an equalizer in the 84th minute with a powerful free-kick, but Beadle made a superb save to deny him. Gassama also had a late chance but fired straight into Patterson’s arms. In stoppage time, Wednesday threw everything forward, with Gassama seeing a powerful shot blocked by a wall of Sunderland defenders.
The win marked a vital turnaround for Sunderland after successive defeats, while Wednesday’s third straight league loss dealt a significant blow to their playoff ambitions.
