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Wolves 0 Peterborough 3 – Match report

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Wolves 0 Peterborough 3: Three and easy for Posh as they move towards safety

PUBLISHED:

17:37 GMT, 26 December 2012

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UPDATED:

17:37 GMT, 26 December 2012

Peterborough made it three momentous wins on the bounce as Wolves joined Cardiff and Bolton on the growing list of recent sides slayed by resurgent Posh.

Goals from Lee Tomlin, Tommy Rowe and Dwight Gayle did the damage as Darren Ferguson's side received the perfect Christmas present by lifting themselves off the foot of the npower Championship.

Wolves boss Stale Solbakken named Bjorn Sigurdarson on the bench following a thigh injury, but defender Georg Margreitter (hamstring) was again sidelined following another setback on the road to recovery.

Winning feeling: Tommy Rowe celebrates after scoring his goal as Peterborough edge towards another three points

Winning feeling: Tommy Rowe celebrates after scoring his goal as Peterborough edge towards another three points

Match facts

Wolverhampton: Ikeme, Foley, Johnson, Berra, Ward (Sigurdarson 46), Pennant (Davis 76), Henry, Doumbia, Sako,Ebanks-Blake (O'Hara 76), Doyle.

Subs Not Used: De Vries, Stearman, Batth, Forde.

Booked: Pennant.

Peterborough: Olejnik, Knight-Percival, Zakuani, Bostwick, Little, Newell (Ferdinand 81), Boyd, Thorne (McCann 86), Rowe, Tomlin (Swanson 81),Gayle.

Subs Not Used: Day, Alcock, Brisley, Kearns.

Goals: Tomlin 17, Rowe 43, Gayle 69.

Attendance: 23,033

Referee: Mark Heywood

Latest Championship table, fixtures and results

And it was the hosts who showed the early intent when an outswinging corner from Jermaine Pennant after five minutes was met by Roger Johnson and his header was smartly tipped over by Posh keeper Robert Olejnik.

At the other end, Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal had to be alert to turn away a 12-yard effort from Gayle as Ferguson's side showed their own attacking inclinations.

It had turned into a full-blooded festive encounter with no quarter given by either side in the hunt for crucial Championship points.

And having weathered the early Wolves storm, the visitors took the lead after 17 minutes through Tomlin.

Joe Newell provided the opportunity and when his cross from the left was not dealt with, in nipped Tomlin to strike home his eighth of the campaign from 12 yards.

It could have got worse for the hosts three minutes later but George Boyd cleared the bar when well placed inside the penalty box.

Christmas cheer: Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson saw his side win again

Christmas cheer: Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson saw his side win again

Kevin Doyle was then ideally placed to net an equaliser but Olejnik denied the striker from only six yards.

Pennant fired over with a free-kick as Wolves looked to get back on terms before the break, but Ferguson would have been impressed with his side's application in the opening half.

Solid in defence, Posh also looked potent on the break and seven minutes from the interval, Newell had the chance of adding a second before a well-timed block by Johnson got in the way of his 18-yard effort.

Doyle twice went close to levelling, while Stephen Ward saw his effort parried by Olejnik as the half-time whistle approached and the visitors rode their luck.

But a sucker punch at the other end of the field doubled Peterborough's lead after 43 minutes. This time Boyd was the provider, Rowe finishing with aplomb from 20 yards.

Ward was replaced by Sigurdarson as the second half began, with Wolves well aware the next goal was crucial.

Pennant went close again for the home side, but it was Peterborough's day and after 69 minutes Mark Little's cross was met by Gayle to make it 3-0 and secure another valuable victory for Posh.

Wimbledon fans threaten to boycott the ultimate grudge match against MK Dons

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Wimbledon fans threaten to boycott the ultimate grudge match against MK Dons

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UPDATED:

08:30 GMT, 14 November 2012

Hundreds of AFC Wimbledon supporters are set to boycott their FA Cup second-round clash with MK Dons.

The fixture Wimbledon were dreading
became a reality last night when MK Dons beat non-league Cambridge City
6-1 in their first-round replay.

Dilemma: Wimbledon fans have mixed feelings about cup tie against Mk Dons

Dilemma: Wimbledon fans have mixed feelings about cup tie against Mk Dons

HISTORY LESSON

Read about the background of the grudge match here

Next month's clash will be the first time the teams have met since the original Wimbledon, FA Cup winners in 1988, were relocated to Milton Keynes 10 years ago.

AFC Wimbledon, who formed in 2002 in the wake of that controversial move and have since been promoted five times to reach League Two, have already said they will grudgingly fulfil the fixture.

But Simon Wheeler, chairman of the Independent Wimbledon Supporters Association, will not be there to see it.

Wheeler said: 'This has reopened a lot of scars. We never wanted this to happen and frankly I feel numb.

'I won't be going and I know lots of other fans won't be going. Personally I would rather take my girlfriend's mother to the garden centre than go to that game.

Wrap it up: Adam Chicksen celebrates scoring the sixth goal for his side

Wrap it up: Adam Chicksen celebrates scoring the sixth goal for his side

Tussle: Wimbledon's Steven Gregory is challenged by Danny Kearns of York

Tussle: Wimbledon's Steven Gregory is challenged by Danny Kearns of York

'Other fans will have to take a long
look at themselves and make a personal, informed decision. We'll talk to
the fans and to the club.

'We didn't ever want this to happen
but it does highlight the phenomenal success of AFC Wimbledon from
having had everything ripped out.'

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman has described the historic meeting as a 'potentially fantastic tie'
But Wheeler added: 'MK Dons might say how much they are looking forward
to the game but actually they are probably rather embarrassed. The
frenzy of support Pete Winkelman had envisaged has not materialised and
frankly they have an identity crisis. They still call themselves Dons,
not Milton Keynes.

'But we have to fulfil the fixture. I believe a group of AFC Wimbledon
players will play the game then get back on the bus to Wimbledon and
carry on with our season.

'The result does not matter. We've already won just by being in the Football League.'

Good day at the office: Karl Robinson's side were comfortable winners

Good day at the office: Karl Robinson's side were comfortable winners

Spot on: Shaun Williams fires home the fourth with a penalty kick

Spot on: Shaun Williams fires home the fourth with a penalty kick

Leeds 4 Peterborough 1: Billy Paynter answers critics as United run riot

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Leeds 4 Peterborough 1: Paynter answers critics as United run riot

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UPDATED:

16:31 GMT, 14 April 2012

Goal-shy striker Billy Paynter finally found his scoring boots to help Leeds to a crushing come-from-behind win over Peterborough that earned Neil Warnock his first home victory as manager.

The 27-year-old, signed from Swindon two years ago, had managed just one goal for the club prior to this afternoon and, when he was announced as one of five changes made by Warnock following defeat to Derby on Monday, his name was greeted with sarcastic cheers from fans who had grown tired of waiting for him to prove his worth.

He answered them though, scoring twice as Warnock's men replied to Joe Newell's opener in some style, with Ross McCormack also grabbing a brace to take his tally for the season to 19.

Back with a bang: Billy Paynter (right) celebrate scoring for Leeds

Back with a bang: Billy Paynter (right) celebrate scoring for Leeds

MATCH FACTS

Leeds: Lonergan, Bromby, Lees, O'Dea, Taylor (Robinson 46), Rogers (Webber 12), Clayton, Pugh, Snodgrass, McCormack, Paynter (Becchio 90).

Subs Not Used: Bruce, Nunez.

Goals: Paynter 45, McCormack 47,48, Paynter 73.

Peterborough: Jones, Alcock, Zakuani (Little 54), Brisley, Rowe,
Frecklington, McCann (Tomlin 61), Newell, Boyd, Barnett (Ball 76),
Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Lewis, Kearns.

Booked: McCann, Brisley.

Goals: Newell 38.

Referee: David Phillips.

Attendance: 19,469

Paynter's first and McCormack's double came in a chaotic 180-second burst either side of the interval and killed off a Posh side who are still not mathematically safe from relegation and require a point to survive.

It was Paynter's day, however, and after being handed a rare start ahead of Luciano Becchio, he set about proving to Warnock that he wants to remain in a squad that the veteran boss has repeatedly stated since his February arrival needs major surgery.

He had a first-minute one-on-one saved and then had a second-minute header cleared off the line, while Robert Snodgrass was also denied under the bar as Leeds looked to have heeded Warnock's post-Derby warning that one of his sides would never play so badly again.

That quickly looked likely to be a false statement, though, as Posh got on top.
George Boyd missed two presentable chances, one after Andy Lonergan came for and missed a cross, the other after teenage defender Charlie Taylor slipped and lost possession.

Leigh Bromby's deflected header then clipped Peterborough's bar, but Leeds looked shaky at the back and, after another Taylor error, the visitors took the lead when Newell robbed him of possession in the 37th minute and tucked under Lonergan from an acute angle.

Boyd should have made it two seconds later but could not adjust his feet after the home keeper shelled Paul Taylor's shot, meaning that when Paynter scored from a yard in first-half injury time after Paul Jones dropped a Snodgrass shot, it brought Leeds level rather than giving them a lifeline.

If Peterborough were stunned by the goal then they were even more shellshocked after the break as McCormack's quickfire double put them out of sight.

First, his weak back-post volley after a Paynter flick somehow bobbled over the top of Jones and then, as Peterborough poured forward, Snodgrass, Danny Webber and Adam Clayton picked them apart to give the Scot a two-yard tap-in.

The game was over as a contest now and Leeds probed for chances seemingly at will, with Paynter taking one with 17 minutes left.

Tom Lees' cross found its way to him at the back post and his clinical 12-yard finish belied a man who only 40 minutes previous had scored his maiden home goal for the club.

He could and should have had a hat-trick after that, blazing wide when played in by Webber, before Warnock afforded him a standing ovation when he withdrew him with seconds remaining.

Coventry 2 Peterborough 2: Sinclair brace buoys Posh

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Coventry 2 Peterborough 2: Sinc pulls plug on Sky Blues revival

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UPDATED:

16:46 GMT, 7 April 2012

Emile Sinclair's late equaliser rescued a draw for Peterborough and denied Coventry three crucial points in their bid for npower Championship survival.

Resurgent Sky Blues appeared to be heading for victory having recovered from Sinclair's opener after just three minutes, an exquisite finish from fully 25 yards.

Cody breaker: McDonald heads Coventry level

Cody breaker: McDonald heads Coventry level

MATCH FACTS

COVENTRY: Murphy, Clarke, Keogh, Cranie, Hussey, Clingan, Bigirimana (Deegan 84), Norwood, McSheffrey, McDonald, Nimely (Platt 73). Unused subs: Dunn, Christie, Willis.

Goals: McDonald 26, McSheffrey pen 45

Booked: Hussey.

PETERBOROUGH: Jones, Alcock, Brisley, Zakuani, Rowe, McCann, Frecklington (Little 56), Boyd, Tomlin (Ball 63), Sinclair, Taylor. Unused subs: Lewis, Newell, Kearns.

Goals: Sinclair 3, 76.

Referee: Danny McDermid

Cody McDonald's header, his second goal in as many games, and Gary McSheffrey's penalty on the stroke of half-time set the Sky Blues on course to pick up three points from a losing position for the first time since September 2009.

But Posh, without an away win since Boxing Day, hit back in the 76th minute courtesy of Sinclair's second, taking his tally for the season to 10.

McDonald almost snatched victory when his late header hit a post while Sammy Clingan hit the crossbar on the full-time whistle, among four efforts to hit the woodwork in an open encounter at the Ricoh Arena.

The point sets up fourth-bottom Coventry's trip to third-bottom Bristol City on Easter Monday as a real crunch relegation clash, while Posh still have a little work to do to mathematically secure their Championship status but should be comfortable.

Out of nowhere the hosts found themselves behind within minutes of the kick-off.

In with a shout: McDonald celebrates his leveller before the interval

In with a shout: McDonald celebrates his leveller before the interval

Sinclair, scorer of the only goal when the two sides met at London Road in December, ran unchallenged with the ball before lofting a delicate shot over the stranded Joe Murphy and into the top corner from 25 yards.

Murphy was forced to get down well to Paul Taylor's 19th-minute strike before Lee Tomlin's delicious volley clipped the outside of a post from a well-worked short corner which followed.

The hosts were showing plenty of endeavour but lacking any kind of composure in the final third.

But all that changed in the 26th minute.

Oliver Norwood's cross-field pass was brought down by Jordan Clarke at the far post and he lofted an inviting cross for McDonald to head past Paul Jones.

The encounter flowed from end-to-end as both sides looked to create an opening, albeit without success, and it was left for a mistake to lead to Coventry's second on the stroke of half-time.

Tomlin upended the impressive Clarke in the area and McSheffrey stepped forward to send Jones the wrong way from the spot.

Return of the mac: Gary McSheffrey put Coventry in front from the spot

Return of the mac: Gary McSheffrey put Coventry in front from the spot

An even livelier start to the second period followed as Taylor and Sinclair wasted openings while McSheffrey and Alex Nimely brought solid saves from Jones at the other end.

Amid all that Gabriel Zakuani was fortunate to see his clearance clip the outside of a post as he looked to clear McSheffrey's dangerous cross.

But it was left for Sinclair to rescue a share of the spoils for Peterborough with 14 minutes remaining, poking home skipper Grant McCann's corner from close range.

McDonald almost snatched victory for Coventry but he could only watch as his header rebounded back of the woodwork, with Clingan then striking the bar after Posh had seen penalty appeals turned down at the other end.

Peterborough 0 West Ham 2: Sam Allardyce turns on Hammers fans

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Peterborough 0 West Ham 2: A win that closes in on Reading, but Big Sam's under the Hammer

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UPDATED:

22:36 GMT, 27 March 2012

Sam Allardyce labelled West Ham’s fans ‘deluded’ after his side closed the gap on second-placed Reading to just one point.

Goals from Ricardo Vaz Te and Gary O’Neil made it 11 matches unbeaten for West Ham, who also equalled a club record 11 away victories, yet still the 5,000 travelling fans chanted Paolo di Canio’s name.

The songs were barely audible just before kick-off, but grew in intensity after an uninspiring first 15 minutes from West Ham.

Breaking the deadlock: Ricardo Vaz Te nods the Hammers ahead

Breaking the deadlock: Ricardo Vaz Te nods the Hammers ahead

MATCH FACTS

Peterborough: Jones, Alcock, Zakuani (Little 62), Brisley, Rowe, Frecklington (Kearns 88), McCann, Boyd, Tomlin (Sinclair 62), Taylor, Barnett. Subs not used: Lewis, Ball.

Booked: Sinclair.

West Ham: Green, O'Brien (Faubert 46), Tomkins, Faye (Collins 46), McCartney, O'Neil (Maynard 88), Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Cole, Vaz Te. Subs not used: Baldock, Carew.

Scorers: Vaz Te 51, O'Neil 57.

Referee: Sarginson.

Attendance: 13,517.

Allardyce’s response was to stand in the technical area with his hands in his pockets.

The win, after all, means West Ham can overtake Reading if they beat Brian McDermott’s side at Upton Park on Saturday.

But Hammers fans were not happy. ‘We
play on the floor,’ they sang, upset that their team were limited to
long-range shots from Taylor and Noble, but it was justified in the
final half an hour, when the visitors passed the ball around quite
beautifully after taking the lead.

‘I’m sick of all that rubbish,’ said Allardyce. ‘It just keeps rearing its head.

‘The facts speak for themselves and the perception of people that it is anything other than that are deluded.

‘It started off from other managers
because they got jealous I kept beating them. Whoever says we play that
way are deluded because we don‘t.

‘The fans get frustrated because we don’t win so they want to win something.

Dance of delight: Gary O'Neil's goal was well-received by the visitors

Dance of delight: Gary O'Neil's goal was well-received by the visitors

‘I know how to win football matches and I know what’s good for West Ham. I can’t get away from the tag and that’s life.’

West Ham, though, were laboured in
the first 20 minutes. Peterborough, by contrast, were lively straight
from the start. Lee Tomlin had the first shot on target after just 28
seconds and Paul Taylor also tested Robert Green 10 minutes later,
forcing the goalkeeper to tip his shot onto the bar.

Precious three points: Sam Allardyce

Precious three points: Sam Allardyce

Darren Ferguson was incensed
Peterborough did not get a penalty just before half-time when Tommy Rowe
went down in the box, but George Boyd had an great chance to make
amends seconds later only for James Tomkins to block his shot.

‘The chance Boyd’s got right on
half-time was the key point,’ said the Peterborough manager. ‘If the
penalty was in the other box he gives it. But West Ham went 2-0 up and
they looked very professional.’

Whatever Allardyce said at half-time,
it worked. Vaz Te, back in the side after injury, scored his second
goal at London Road this season for his second club. The 25-year-old,
who also scored in a 4-3 win for Barnsley in December, headed home
Taylor’s cross.

After Nolan had sent a left-foot shot
whistling wide of the upright, Gary O’Neil tried the same tactic and
found the bottom left-hand corner from the edge of the area to make it
2-0.

Carlton Cole, who has scored only one
goal this calendar year, missed two excellent chances, as did George
McCartney and Matthew Taylor.

Peterborough 3 Reading 1: Royals given Posh treatment

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Peterborough 3 Reading 1: Posh joy as Barnett brings Royals procession to a halt

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UPDATED:

23:48 GMT, 20 March 2012

Reading's Championship charge came to an abrupt halt against battling Peterborough.

Prior to Tuesday night, Brian McDermott’s Royals had won all but one of their last 10 matches. But the Championship campaign is not known as the toughest slog in English football without good reason.

And the visitors had the misfortune to walk into Tyrone Barnett, a former non-League forward with a point to prove.

Royal treatment: reading's unbeaten run was ended at London Road

Royal treatment: reading's unbeaten run was ended at London Road

MATCH FACTS

Peterborough: Jones, Alcock, Zakuani, Brisley, Rowe, Frecklington, McCann, Boyd, Tomlin (Ball 83), Barnett, Taylor (Sinclair 89).

Subs not used: Lewis, Little, Kearns.

Goals: Boyd 25, Barnett 34, Taylor 82.

Reading: Federici, Mullins (Le Fondre 68), Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, Karacan, McAnuff, Hunt, Roberts (Church 84).

Subs not used: Andersen, Tabb, Robson-Kanu.

Goals: Hunt 20.

Attendance: 6,717

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire).

Barnett, on loan from Crawley Town
with a view to a 1.1m move this summer, created one goal, scored
another and was a handful all evening.

McDermott said: ‘We didn’t have
the best of nights against strikers who were a handful. Sometimes you
have to hold your hands up.

'But we have won 17 out of our last 22 games.
We were 20 points behind the top two when we started this run. And
nothing changes as far as I’m concerned.’

It had been going according to plan
for Reading when Jimmy Kebe’s run from right to left left a trail of
defenders in his wake.

His eventual shot cannoned off keeper Paul
Jones’s legs, but Noel Hunt showed quick reactions, gathering with his
back to goal and turning to fire into the net.

Flying start: Hunt bagged the Royals' solitary strike of the evening

Flying start: Hunt bagged the Royals' solitary strike of the evening

Flying start: Hunt bagged the Royals' solitary strike of the evening

Posh had looked lively going forward
and suddenly tipped the balance in their favour with two goals from
successive corners, both taken by Grant McCann.

On the first occasion,
Barnett headed it back into the area where Gabriel Zakauni shepherded
the ball to George Boyd, who lashed home.

McCann’s next corner found Barnett at the near post and he nodded his fourth goal in six starts past Adam Federici.

The second half was not as open as the first but the game was finally killed off when Paul Taylor netted a late third.

‘On our day we can beat anyone in this
division,’ said Posh boss Darren Ferguson. ‘We have struggled with
inconsistency. However, tonight we’ve beaten the most consistent side in
the country. It was thoroughly deserved.’

Tribute: Peterborough players wore t-shirt in support of Fabrice Muamba

Tribute: Peterborough players wore t-shirt in support of Fabrice Muamba

Tribute: Peterborough players wore t-shirt in support of Fabrice Muamb

Peterborough 3 Reading 1: Promotion chasing Royals given Posh treatment

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Peterborough 3 Reading 1: Promotion chasing Royals given Posh treatment

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UPDATED:

21:45 GMT, 20 March 2012

Reading's unbeaten run came to a juddering halt, beaten 3-1 by Peterborough at London Road, but results elsewhere mean they remain in second place in the npower Championship.

It all started so well for the Royals who took the lead through Noel Hunt in the 20th minute to give the visitors hope of continuing their fine run which has seen them win nine of the last 10.

But three unanswered goals from Tyrone Barnett, George Boyd and Paul Taylor sealed the points for the hosts.

More to follow…

Royal treatment: reading's unbeaten run was ended at London Road

Royal treatment: reading's unbeaten run was ended at London Road

MATCH FACTS

Peterborough: Jones, Alcock, Zakuani, Brisley, Rowe, Frecklington, McCann, Boyd, Tomlin, Barnett, Taylor.

Subs: Lewis, Little, Ball, Sinclair, Kearns.

Reading: Federici, Mullins, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte, Kebe, Leigertwood, Karacan, McAnuff, Hunt, Roberts.

Subs: Andersen, Tabb, Le Fondre, Church, Robson-Kanu.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)

Peterborough 0 Sunderland 2

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Peterborough 0 Sunderland 2: Larsson and McClean lord it on Posh day out

Sunderland's renaissance under Martin O'Neill continued at London Road where they eased past npower Championship side Peterborough to make it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Black Cats controlled the first half and almost went ahead when James McClean rattled the bar with a fierce drive in the first half, but they soon took the lead after the break through Sebastian Larsson's free-kick.

McClean, 22, got the goal he deserved just before the hour when he glanced home Larsson's cross to make it five wins from seven matches since O'Neill took charge.

Pure delight: Seb Larsson is mobbed after the opening goal for Sunderland at London Road

Pure delight: Seb Larsson is mobbed after the opening goal for Sunderland at London Road

MATCH FACTS

Peterborough: Lewis, Alcock, Bennett, Zakuani, Rowe (Little 64), Tunnicliffe, Wootton (Kearns 52), Tomlin, Boyd, Sinclair (Newell 71), Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Jones, Thompson, Gordon-Hutton, Lawler.

Booked: Bennett.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner (Elmohamady 85), O'Shea, Kilgallon, Bardsley, Larsson, Richardson, Cattermole, Vaughan (Meyler 70),
McClean, Sessegnon (Ji 77).

Subs Not Used: Westwood, Turner, Wickham, Noble.

Booked: Cattermole.

Goals: Larsson 48, McClean 58.

Att: 8,954

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

The turnaround in fortunes since the northern Irishman took over has been remarkable.

Steve Bruce's reign ended with Sunderland looking serious contenders for the drop, but O'Neill has given the Black Cats a new-found confidence and organisational steel that was badly missing under the former Manchester United defender.

They will face harder tests in the coming months, but the way in which Sunderland easily avoided a potential banana skin here was highly impressive.

Aware of high-flying Peterborough's potential to cause an upset, O'Neill made just two changes to his team, with Phil Bardsley and Larsson coming in to a team that lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Stephane Sessegnon as the Black Cats' lone striker.

The Posh went in to the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run that has put them within striking distance of the playoffs and they started confidently, with Paul Taylor striding forward before blazing over Simon Mignolet's bar.

It did not take Sunderland long to get in to their stride, however. Bardsley opened up the Peterborough defence with a clever slide-rule pass but Larsson shot wide and Craig Gardner then stung Joe Lewis' palms with a powerful drive after George Boyd dallied on the ball in midfield.

Chase: Paul Taylor of Peterborough (left) is pursued by David Meyler of Sunderland

Chase: Paul Taylor of Peterborough (left) is pursued by David Meyler of Sunderland

Ryan Bennett then had to clear over his own bar from eight yards after Gardner whipped in a dangerous low cross.

Peterborough started to play with more confidence and Tommy Rowe fired a dipping volley just wide in the 13th minute, but they soon found themselves on the back foot again.

The home fans gasped as Lewis dropped Kieran Richardson's cross, but the Posh defence came to his rescue and cleared.

In a heap: Peterborough's Joe Newell is challenged by Sunderland's Dong-Won Ji (top)

In a heap: Peterborough's Joe Newell is challenged by Sunderland's Dong-Won Ji (top)

Taylor then raced forward 30 yards before flashing a 25-yard drive just past Simon Mignolet's goal in the hosts' best opportunity of the half.

Youngster McClean cut in off the flank after picking up Bardsley's cross and blasted a fierce drive that rattled Mignolet's bar to sound Peterborough a warning as the end of the first half neared.

Gabriel Zakuani and Ryan Bennett needed treatment after clashing heads and Sunderland took advantage of their numerical superiority while defender Bennett was off the pitch.

Doubling up: James McClean (left) of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal

Doubling up: James McClean (left) of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal

Gardner got on the end of Larsson's dangerous cross with a powerful header that Lewis spilled but the ball was hooked clear before the away side could tap in.

Bennett returned to the pitch sporting a bandage around his head soon after.

Bardsley fired a low shot which Lewis easily saved in first-half injury time as Peterborough ended the first half firmly on the back foot.

Craig Alcock's foul on McClean gave Sunderland a free-kick five yards from the right corner of the Peterborough box three minutes in to the second half and the away side took full advantage.

Bullet: McClean (left) of Sunderland scores his team's second goal at Peterborough

Bullet: McClean (left) of Sunderland scores his team's second goal at Peterborough

Larsson whipped in a curling ball from the free-kick that evaded the sea of players from both sides in the box and sneaked to the net at the back the post to give the away side the lead.

The Swede came close to adding his second with a low drive that Lewis parried moments later.
Posh boss Darren Ferguson brought on Daniel Kearns for Scott Wootton as he looked to get his team back in to the game quickly.

McClean dashed their hopes moments later, however, when he rose to glance home Larsson's cross at the near post from eight yards to double the Black Cats' lead.

Crunch: Daniel Kearns of Peterborough is brought down by Lee Cattermole of Sunderland

Crunch: Daniel Kearns of Peterborough is brought down by Lee Cattermole of Sunderland

McClean raced at the Peterborough defence after dispossessing Lee Tomlin on the halfway line but Bennett kept his cool and put a firm tackle to steal the ball off the northern Irishman.

The young winger then fired a low ball across the box but no one could get a touch to make it 3-0.
Sunderland pushed for a third through Larsson but his late effort flew wide and the Black Cats had to settle for a two-goal victory margin.