Luke Garbutt netted his second goal in two games for the Blues on the quarter-half mark but Lynden Gooch levelled for Sunderland in the second half as Town and the Black Cats drew an entertaining game 1-1 at Portman Road. Garbutt shot low under Wearsiders’ keeper Jon McLaughlin in the 15th minute as the Blues dominated the first half but Gooch profited from skipper Luke Chambers’s error on 64 to claim an undeserved equaliser for the visitors.

Chambers returned to an otherwise unchanged Blues line-up having been suspended last week at Burton. The 33-year-old replaced James Wilson at the heart of the defence with the Wales international dropping to the bench.

Alan Judge and Emyr Huws were also among the subs, as was Andre Dozzell, who missed the game at the Pirelli Stadium due to a knee problem.

Sunderland made two changes with Luke O’Nien and skipper Aiden McGeady both starting, while Elliot Embleton and Will Grigg dropped to the bench. Ex-Blues captain Grant Leadbitter was also among the subs.

In blustery conditions, the Blues started on the front foot, winning an early corner on the left. Home debutant Garbutt’s ball in from the left was headed into the arms of Black Cats keeper McLaughlin by another man making his Portman Road bow, James Norwood.

Town felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the sixth minute when Kayden Jackson chased a Luke Woolfenden pass, took it into the area and looked to be felled by a Sunderland defender.

Referee Neil Hair immediately blew his whistle but instead of pointing to the spot gave a freekick to the visitors and booked Jackson for diving. It looked a very harsh decision and the Blues striker was evidently very frustrated at having been yellow-carded when he felt he had been fouled.

The Blues had kept the Wearsiders pinned back in their half for virtually the entire opening quarter of an hour and in the 15th minute they went in front.

A loose ball fell to Garbutt inside the area to the right. The Everton man took it on towards the touchline and from a tight angle squeezed a low shot through keeper McLaughlin’s legs and into the net to send the Portman Road crowd, which had already made itself heard, into raptures.

The midfielder celebrated his second goal in only his second game for the Blues in front of the East of England Co-op Stand with his team-mates.

The match continued after Jackson had received treatment for a blow on the head received in the attack which ultimately led to the goal.

On 20 goalscorer Garbutt won a freekick 25 yards out, took it himself and hit the wall with his effort.

Town twice went close from the corner when Skuse turned a shot goalwards only for it to be deflected away from goal. The ball was returned into the box and Norwood hooked a volley only just wide.

In the 24th minute Rowe intercepted a loose Sunderland pass on the Town right and sent in a cross which keeper McLaughlin only just diverted away from Norwood.

Danny Rowe, making his first home start, more than two and a half years after joining the club, thought he had won a penalty on the half hour as he appeared to be caught as he he sought to shoot but referee Hair instead awarded a freekick to the visitors for reasons which weren’t entirely clear.

Sunderland started to see more of the ball but with Tomas Holy, another making his home debut, still untested.

Skuse sent Jackson away on the left in the 33rd minute, the ex-Accrington man waiting for his team-mates before sending in a low cross which was cut out ahead of Norwood.

Garbutt underwent treatment for a knock in the 35th minute but soon got back on his feet and struck a shot from 25 yards which keeper McLaughlin kept out but couldn’t hold. The Everton loanee looked to get in another effort but was hampered by a grounded Sunderland player, however, again referee Hair waved away Town appeals for a penalty.

Town continued to search for their second goal and in the 37th minute Rowe burst down the right and fed Jackson, who moved the ball on to Norwood, whose shot on the turn was blocked by a defender and ricocheted through to McLaughlin.

A minute later, the Wearsiders, who had already switched to a back four from the three-man backline in which they had started, managed their first strike of the afternoon, Gooch cutting in from the left before hitting a shot which flew well wide.

The Blues were forced into a change in the 39th minute when Garbutt succumbed to his earlier injury and was replaced by Alan Judge. The goal-a-game midfielder was warmly applauded off by his new fans.

Judge immediately got into the game and in the 43rd minute curled a shot from distance into McLaughlin’s arms.

As the game moved into four minutes of injury time Norwood threatened three times, first smashing a shot against Tom Flanagan as he and Jackson chased a ball over the top, then volleyed a strike wide off a defender from the corner, then screwed an effort high and wide from the subsequent flag-kick.

Applause greeted the half-time whistle with the Blues having been very impressive and deserving more than just their one-goal lead.

Town had started strongly and had controlled the game from the off, not allowing the Black Cats to get a foothold in the game at any stage.

The Blues had had chances to add to their lead and were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the incident in which Jackson was booked, while Holy in the Town goal had largely been a spectator.

Sunderland, who had been dismal in the first half, swapped Denver Hume for Chris Maguire ahead of the second half as they moved to 4-4-2.

The Blues continued to have most of the ball in the Wearsiders’ half, albeit without quite the same control of the first half, but without forcing McLaughlin into serious action.

There was a scare on 58 when McGeady whipped over a ball from the left which flew not too far in front of Marc McNulty and just past Holy’s left post.

Just after the hour George Dobson was shown his side’s first yellow card for a foul on Judge on halfway.

The Blues had looked in no danger but in the 64th minute the visitors equalised. After Town had lost possession on halfway, Maguire played the ball forward down the Sunderland left and Chambers tried to see the ball out for a goalkick.

However, McNulty closed him down and won the ball before squaring it to Gooch, who slammed into the net from 12 yards before running to celebrate with the Black Cats fans in Cobbold Stand to his left.

Having all but gifted the opposition an equaliser they didn’t deserve, the Blues went about restoring their lead. Norwood and Rowe both having efforts blocked as the Wearsiders made heavy weather of clearing in the aftermath of a corner.

On 73 Rowe made a darting run to the left of the box and played a pass to Norwood on the edge of the box but the striker’s shot was straight at McLaughlin. Moments later, Sunderland swapped McGeady for Will Grigg.

In the 78th minute Town switched Rowe for Dozzell with the England U20 international taking up a role on the right. Five minutes later, the Black Cats introduced Alim Ozturk for Jordan Willis, who had suffered a knock a few minutes earlier.

The Blues continued to see most of the ball as the game moved into its final scheduled five minutes.

On 86, Chambers claimed a penalty when O’Nien appeared to handled the ball away from goal as a cross came in from the right but referee Hair awarded a freekick against the Town captain for a push.

Jordan Roberts replaced the lively Jackson as the game moved into three minutes of injury time.

The Blues continued to look for their second goal, Judge hitting a low effort which McLaughlin just held on to ahead of waiting Town strikers.

But Town were unable to find a the goal which would have won them a game from which they really should have claimed three points from their first-half display.

Sunderland were more in it in the second half but aside from their goal - which was largely the result of Town errors - Holy had been unthreatened with the goal the Black Cats' only shot on target.

At the other end, McLaughlin was similarly not tested sufficiently with too many of Town's efforts - seven on target over the 90 minutes - too close to the former Burton keeper.

Town will also feel they were unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty when Jackson was fouled early on.

However, overall it was a very positive Blues display against a Black Cats team all but certain to be in the promotion shake-up come May in front of a vociferous 24,051 crowd at Portman Road.

It was a more dominant display than at Burton last week, certainly in the first half, with the victory over the Brewers having been based more on a counter-attacking threat.

Town, who are sixth in the early-season table, will be hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the League One season when they travel to Peterborough, who are yet to pick up a point, next Saturday, following Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Luton.

Town: Holy, Donacien, Woolfenden, Chambers (c), Kenlock, Skuse, Downes, Rowe (Dozzell 78), Garbutt (Judge 39), Jackson (Roberts (90), Norwood. Unused: Norris, Wilson, El Mizouni, Huws.

Sunderland: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, Willis (Ozturk 83), Flanagan, Gooch, McGeouch, O'Nien, Hume (Maguire 46), Dobson, McGeady (c) (Grigg 73), McNulty. Unused: Burge, Power, Embleton, Leadbitter. Referee: Neil Hair (Cambridgeshire). Att: 24,041 (Sunderland: 1,847).

Photo: TWTD

oioihardy added 17:37 - Aug 10 I'll be honest thought the ref was terrible . We looked good first half. Because garbutt was having a brilliant game . As soon as garbutt came off we looked flat . Unimaginative. No energy on the pitch . Took Lambert too long(89min) to bring a winger on the pitch . Judge is not a winger . Hes terrible there . We need him in the middle of the park . Dont get me started on the chambers mistake ... Apart from that . I did really enjoy the first half.

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runningout added 17:41 - Aug 10 Really don't want to throw blame at anyone. But bloody obvious at end of last season someone is looking heavy! When I look at professional footballers throwing away control of a game it does my head in. 2 points we may require at end of season gone. Dilly dallying around on the transfer front with lousy excuses upon lousy excuses don't rub it with anyone. We have players that don't like expectations of any degree. Do they know what pressure is. Not sure they can handle criticism when really it should be pride in self improvement... even if you win

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prebsa added 17:43 - Aug 10 The day chambers retires is the day we become a better side. He's nowhere near good enough to play for a team looking for promotion.
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Walk_the_Wark added 17:44 - Aug 10 From the comments above, it seems people just accept Chambers walks back in and costs us the points- that's just the way it works..... Ho Ho Ho, good old Luke cost us the points again, never mind, its a good point.. ?????
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Tractorboy1985 added 17:44 - Aug 10 No need to write a long post.. Sunderland were awful.. chambers gifted them a point thee end! Wolf and Wilson next game please!
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StokeHigh97 added 17:44 - Aug 10 2 points dropped going by a promising first half: lovely goal by Garbutt real shame he went off injured it changed the game as Judge is no where near Match Fit: Norwood & Jackson Bright first half but never in the game 2nd half service was poor but they couldn't keep the ball or threaten the goal on their own: Sunderland had 1 shot on goal & it came from a poor error from Chambers, he just needed to clear it dwelled on it & we played for it: I thought Downes was good again, Garbutt before he went off: Norwood Jackson partnership needs time or if we get a new striker for Norwood to link up with: We badly need another forward for competition & options! I thought going forward Janoi & Kenlock were poor HOLY never really tested: Rowe faded second half: I'm not worried about Luton as long as we don't get hammered & no more injuries not bothered if we go out if we beat Peterborough next Saturday

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SheptonMalletBlue added 17:46 - Aug 10 If I were Chambers, I'd hold my hands up and drop myself from being first choice. He will keep on making mistakes like he did today, yet some still defend him! Unbelievable!!!
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Walk_the_Wark added 17:46 - Aug 10 We will not be promoted with Chambers in the starting 11
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Pencilpete added 17:47 - Aug 10 I was walking behind some Sunderland fans on the way back to my car and they literally couldn't believe they had got a point from this game and I couldn't agree with them more. It comes down to not being clinical enough at both ends of the pitch. When I played in the under 11s I was taught 'when in doubt kick it out' how our 33 year old Captain doesn't do the basics is very worrying

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Wishing4arightback added 17:51 - Aug 10 Last season we would have been pleased with a 1-1 against one of the big boys in the league and a 2 point a game average across the season is promotion form. However, I know it is early days and hopefully things will settle, but the worry for me is the fact the same issues as last season cost us. Garbutt gave us balance and product. When Judge came on that started to go. Lots of running, but for himself, not to keep shape etc and again 0 end product. He has been with us since January and still not a single assist or goal. Not the stats that back up him being this amazing match winner. Loads of chances, but only a single goal. This will have to improve. Chambers..... I know some see him as the messiah because of the passion. But again school boy defending has cost us points. That's a fact which no one can argue with. Yes it happens, but what really gets me us when he messes up, and that is every game, he looks to blame someone else and he always balls out others for their mistakes.. Today he started going to the ref. What for??? Yes only match 1 for him, but all too familiar. Also odd changes. Dozzell can pass and create, not but from wide. All his good work has been when he is central. New season, new hope....... but all too familiar traits!!!!

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therein61 added 17:56 - Aug 10 If Garbutt had not been taken out of the game we would probably have 3 points to go to the pub with having said that we could still have had 3 points couldn't we skipper!! overall 4 out of 6 is a decent start and we outplayed one of the favourites for long periods and will give some sides a tanking when we rid the side of consistent error prone performers, also I feel that after 2 half decent games(which is all he usually has all season) the premiership class no/8 has found his level!.

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Cloddyseedbed added 17:56 - Aug 10 Good 1st half display with a high pressing game and 3 penalty claims. I thought we should have been awarded 1. Impressed with the whole team in the 1st half but it really changed when Garbutt had to go off, the whole balance and display changed. 2 things have not changed since last season and we really need them both to. 1) Injuries being picked up too easily to influencial players. 2) Captain calamity needs to loose his name tag. For me Norwood looks a very good player as does Garbutt and Woolfenden was by far the stand out player at the back looking very strong and accomplished for his age. I must say when Judge came on he was all over the place and his passes and crosses were too. Not the player he was for us last season. Rowe had a good 1st half but faded badly in the 2nd half. Once again when Dozzell came on and was given a chance he just doesn't take it for me. A great atmosphere and crowd well done supporters. Well done team but you must play with the same intensity and closing down for 90+ minutes not just 40-45. I left feeling 2 points dropped, at the end of the season it could prove costly and all down to yet another mistake.

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midastouch added 18:01 - Aug 10 Plenty of positives but still a great shame that we fist dumped 3 points away. Let's hope we can get all 3 points against Posh next league game as they haven't had the best of starts. They might be having a few teething problems looking for settled team after several new additions.
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Saxonblue74 added 18:02 - Aug 10 Walk the wark, don't particularly disagree. That said he and Wolfy had a solid first half. Your post coupled with your "ID" brings me to the great Wark himself, also had a mistake in him when he joined our back 4 during his twilight years! Still, 4 points is a positive start and plenty to build on. Becoming a PL team more with every game. Let's hope for some good news on the transfer front in the coming week.

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Saxonblue74 added 18:02 - Aug 10 Walk the wark, don't particularly disagree. That said he and Wolfy had a solid first half. Your post coupled with your "ID" brings me to the great Wark himself, also had a mistake in him when he joined our back 4 during his twilight years! Still, 4 points is a positive start and plenty to build on. Becoming a PL team more with every game. Let's hope for some good news on the transfer front in the coming week.

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BobbyPetta11 added 18:06 - Aug 10 Wrightie- you must enjoy the fist pumps a little to much! This isn't a standalone error with fans making him a scapegoat. He has been consistently making errors all last season & not much seems to of changed.
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BobbyPetta11 added 18:11 - Aug 10 nevertheless he will still start week in week out while costing us goals & losing possession as he cannot play against any form of press/pressure. Oh throw in a couple of fist pumps alone the way & the fans will nominate him supports player of the year. Some fans really need to see the difference between passion & ability!
7

blues1 added 18:16 - Aug 10 Bobby Petta. I agree he made errors last season but there were extenuating circumstances to his form last season. This is a new season tho, and hes made one mistake(which no1 needs to tell him btw), and hopefully he wont be making many more. But than that error he had a perfectly good game and doesnt deserve slagging off for it. Sure no1s more disappointed with that than ge is himself.

0

blues1 added 18:16 - Aug 10 Bobby Petta. I agree he made errors last season but there were extenuating circumstances to his form last season. This is a new season tho, and hes made one mistake(which no1 needs to tell him btw), and hopefully he wont be making many more. But than that error he had a perfectly good game and doesnt deserve slagging off for it. Sure no1s more disappointed with that than ge is himself.

0

Nobbysnuts added 18:21 - Aug 10 Should of won today. 2 points dropped . Disappointing.
4

jas0999 added 18:27 - Aug 10 Disappointing result after dominating for much of the game. It feels very much like a new season, new league but same old story. Costly errors ultimately meant two points dropped. Sunderland were really there for the taking. Not impressed with them at all. Can fully understand why PL wants three new permanent additions. Right back looks weak, whilst Chambers makes errors - another dreadful decision today. The defence still needs some work. Up front the boys tried hard but didn't really look like scoring. Would have been nice to have an alternate on the bench - but we are seriously lacking strikers and haven't replaced those who left. Judge was very poor. Not convinced by the keeper either - didn't seem to control his area. Great crowd today and most would have enjoyed the first half. Rowe did well, as did Skuse. Second half was desperately disappointing. Over to Evans to reward the faith of the fans and bring in the players PL needs.

6

blues1 added 18:27 - Aug 10 Wrightie. Dont get how you think holy should have come for that ball. The ball wasnt in the area. It was totally chambers responsibility to deal with it. And he could have at one point played the ball back to holy but clearly decided he could run it out of play or get a free kick. Unfortunately didnt get his body 100%between the ball and the attacker. If in doubt should just have cleared it for a throw or a corner.

3

EssexTractor added 18:33 - Aug 10 The strong wind arrived, the worse conditions for good football but we managed to play some decent stuff in the first half and Garbutt cleverly scored. Norwood looked strong , Jackson ran tirelessly but no one really set either of them up with telling passes.if someone could they would be a dynamic front pair in this Division. And that has been the continuing demise for so long...Downes looked impressive , comfortable when winning the ball but not a defence splitter...Skuse was Skuse good positioning intercepting but no final ball Rowe, I think we all want him to do well, but today supply to him was limited and he faded and not surprisingly subbed. Donacien headed the ball a lot, was never really taken to the cleaners but overall ordinary, as indeed was Kenlock who has strength but sometimes looks awkward and maybe doesn't believe in himself enough. Neither full back supported the front men. Wolfenden is a better player since being away on loan and did little wrong..he could impress this season. Alan Judge as another scribe has said has not scored or made goal chances for others since being at PR Is he as good as management and owner suggest...I await to be convinced, not fully fit some say, but please he does not have to take every free kick, particularly based on today's evidence And so to Holy, well what a size and what a kick, largely untested today, we will need to see more of him to properly assess. And the Captain, up until that awful moment he had done nothing wrong , he was organising and defending efficiently ..but when Luke makes a blunder , oh dear it does become catastrophic. But to blame him alone for dropping two points is so easy to do but the team , yes the team failed to replicate its first half performance, although the Mackems were grateful for the howler as only in a few moments did they look like the Bookies favourites. Two games , four points in new surroundings and before a crowd full of noise and fervour that resembled one that was welcoming League Champions. With the addition of a creative midfielder ( oh how we have sung that song) that crowd may get the final outcome its support deserves. There are possibilities and the crowds support is vital.

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ITFCsince73 added 18:40 - Aug 10 Forget the Chambo mistake today. Forget the many Chambo mistakes of the past. He is simply not good enough as a defender. And him being the captain with the worse win record of any Town captain over 75 games in our history. This lunacy needs to stop pronto. Chambo needs to be dropped and stay dropped. To stop the embarrassment for himself if not for the clubs support.

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ringwoodblue added 18:41 - Aug 10 A tale of two Lukes, one who can gain us points and one who can cost us points. What's most worrying for me is that we are playing two up front and neither of them can score. I predicted two draws to start so a win and a draw is a fair return from two tough fixtures. Pboro have lost both their opening games so they will be tough opposition next.
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