Luke O’Nien was Tony Mowbray’s hero vs QPR

Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland pushed up into the play-off places with a thumping 3-0 win away from residence at Loftus Street towards Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night time.

Though different groups have video games in hand, the membership are presently sitting fifth within the Championship and 13 factors off the automated positions, which already look out of attain.

Will Sunderland end within the play-offs?

The Black Cats opened the scoring within the thirty fifth minute as Luke O’Nien was first to react within the field to faucet the ball in after Daniel Ballard’s effort got here again to the midfielder.

QPR have been then gifted the right alternative to degree the scores within the 67th minute after Aji Alese was penalised for handball within the field, just for Anthony Patterson to step up with an enormous save to maintain his staff in entrance.

Jack Clarke then sealed the three factors with two objectives within the remaining ten minutes of play. The ahead reduce inside to bend a shot into the underside nook for his first earlier than slamming residence a cutback from Dan Neil in stoppage time for his second.

How did Luke O’Nien carry out towards Queens Park Rangers?

Loads of reward will, rightly, head within the ex-Tottenham winger’s path for his two essential objectives within the emphatic win in London however one other participant who deserves his flowers alongside Clarke is O’Nien.

Firstly, the previous Wycombe man was in the precise place on the proper time to comply with in on Ballard’s effort to place his facet 1-0 up. The objective allowed Sunderland to develop in confidence they usually constructed on that by happening to win the sport comfortably, albeit with the assistance of an enormous save from Patterson within the second half.

His play out of possession was additionally key to the staff’s success within the match.

As per Sofascore, O’Nien received a whopping ten particular person duels – greater than any of his teammates – out of 14 contested, while making three tackles and one interception in the midst of the park.

On the ball, the 28-year-old had 60 touches and accomplished a powerful 86% of his tried passes.

He additionally received five fouls for the facet and this helped to alleviate stress on the defence in addition to giving the Black Cats an opportunity to calm down – stopping the house outfit from constructing any momentum.

Subsequently, O’Nien was one of many massive heroes for Mowbray on the night time, alongside Clarke, as his play out and in of possession was completely excellent and the midfield warrior deserves any and all reward that is because of come his approach forward of the subsequent match.