Sunderland: Anthony Patterson impresses with fine display in Championship draw

Journalist Josh Bunting has praised goalkeeper Anthony Patterson after he made some ‘huge’ saves in Sunderland’s most recent outing. 

This week in the Championship, the Black Cats played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light against Blackpool in a closely fought affair.

As is often the way with goalless draws, the result could have changed dramatically with a mistake from either goalkeeper, so Sunderland would have been relieved to see Patterson put in a fine display throughout the match.

Indeed, according to Bunting, the 22-year-old’s display was one of the key positives to take from the game as Patterson proved he was ‘really maturing’.

The journalist took to Twitter to say:  “Another positive from the last two 0-0 games is how good Anthony Patterson has been. Some huge saves in both games, but it’s how he has commanded his box, really maturing and maturing well. Getting better with each game in terms of his leadership as well.”

TIF Thoughts on Anthony Patterson and Sunderland…

Sunderland’s 0-0 draw means that Patterson has kept clean sheets in each of his last two Championship outings, making for an impressive tally of five in 12 games so far this term (via Transfermarkt).

In the BBC’s match report, the article notes a number of fine saves from the goalkeeper as he successfully kept out Blackpool’s Callum Connolly, Charlie Wright and Marvin Ekpiteta. Meanwhile, in the Sunderland Echo, he was handed an 8/10 for his efforts and praised for an ‘excellent’ display. 

The point gained from the draw means Sunderland are now just one place and one point outside of the play-off zone, sitting on 17 points after 12 games. It certainly seems as though they have Patterson to thank for that this week.