Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Sunderland 4th with 77 points, Swindon Town 23rd with 43, 34 apart. Sunderland's recent output lagged their position: 14th on form over five rounds while 4th in the table. Scoring rates set the scale: Sunderland 1.52 scored and 0.91 conceded per game, Swindon Town 1.2 and 1.93, with the league averaging 1.31.
Sunderland's unbeaten run stood at 5, having scored in 14 consecutive games.
Stadium of Light in Sunderland staged the fixture, a ground that holds 49,000. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 1-0.