This evening saw the first team to advance through to the League One Playoff Final confirmed as Sunderland came out victorious against Portsmouth.
The first leg at the Stadium of Light on Saturday ended 1-0 for Jack Ross’s men, so their opposition had work if they wanted to secure a place at Wembley.
The second leg started a feisty one as three bookings were seen within 30 minutes.
Pompey’s Gareth Evans deservedly became the first to get booked for a high challenge which ended with his boot close to touching his cheek.
Tom Naylor became the second to be carded as lost his cool and threw a ball at Chris Maguire causing both teams’ players to come to blows before being calmed down.
Many fouls continued, Maguire was the third to receive a yellow card when he slipped while attempting to tackle.
The Mackems player also got close to scoring when he lifted the ball over keeper Craig MacGillivray but lost his footing and Pompey eventually cleared.
The first half ended with both sides having just one shot on target each, certainly nothing of the sort of game we saw last night when Leeds were knocked out by Derby.
Sunderland started the second half the better side, though Kenny Jackett’s side came very close to scoring as Jon McLaughlin brilliantly turned over Oli Hawkins’ closer range save.
Frustrations continued for Portsmouth as they still couldn’t get that all important goal.
Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien was sent tumbling into the home fan following a challenge and then angry words came from a few supporters, before the referee and stewards then had to get involved.
Peterborough first team coach Aaron McLean said that the club should banned some of those fans involved.
Absolute SCUMBAG!!! Kicking the player when he's on the floor!!! If @officialpompey don't ban him for life then it's a shambles.. #Fuming #PORSUN #Playoffs pic.twitter.com/fmMLSD3jZN
— Aaron Mclean (@A9Mac) May 16, 2019
Quality continued to be rather poor and Sunderland attacked until the very end, managing to hold on and seal that 1-0 aggregate score to sent them to their second trip of the season to Wembley. They will play either Charlton or Doncaster who play tomorrow night.
Football fans have since given their reaction to Sunderland claiming a place in the League One playoff final after beating Portsmouth this evening – find out what they had to say on the next page.
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