Timur Tutierov scored his first goal for Sunderland to give them a dream start, but the English side was held to a 1-1 draw by Lech Poznan in Poland after failing to convert their numerous chances.
Early Lead and Missed Opportunities
The 21-year-old forward netted the fastest goal of this season’s Europa League with barely a minute on the clock at the INEA Stadion. Tutierov headed home a cross from Nilson Angulo after Mateusz Lis delivered a poor clearance that was quickly intercepted by the visitors.
Tutierov, who spent the previous campaign on loan in League One with Exeter, was making only his fourth appearance for Sunderland. He was fast-tracked into the starting lineup due to injuries sidelining Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor.
Despite dominating the match and registering 25 shots with 11 on target, Sunderland failed to extend their advantage. Angulo came closest to adding a second when his effort struck the outside of the post from a tight angle, while a host of other opportunities went begging.
Lech Poznan Equalizer and Late Pressure
Lech Poznan had lost both of their opening League Phase matches 4-0 without scoring, but they found a breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining. Following a corner and a subsequent knock-down, substitute Martin Bengtsson fired a shot through a crowd of bodies that beat an unsighted Robin Roefs at his near post.
Sunderland pushed hard to reclaim the lead in the closing stages. Substitute Chris Rigg came agonizingly close when he curled a 20-yard effort just inches over the crossbar, landing on the roof of the net.
Sky Sports reporter Ron Walker highlighted Sunderland’s familiar scoring struggles in his analysis, noting that the team has notched only six goals in seven Premier League matches and had only themselves to blame for not putting away a side that conceded eight goals in their previous two European fixtures.
Despite being denied a victory, Sunderland remain unbeaten in the Europa League campaign, collecting seven points from their opening three fixtures ahead of their upcoming domestic and European matches.
Source: SkySports | News
