Sunderland claim River Wear derby spoils against Durham after McAteer’s winner

Sunderland came from behind to earn an impressive 2-1 win at rivals Durham in the Barclays Women’s Championship this afternoon.

Hannah Blake’s early goal for the hosts gave them a deserved lead, but an Eleanor Dale penalty and Mary McAteer’s close-range finish turned the game on its head.

Carly Johns had the first chance for Durham after three minutes. Some good work from Lily Crosthwaite and Mollie Lambert on the right led to Johns side-footing wide.

The pressure continued with Beth Hepple’s free-kick being volleyed over by Sarah Wilson, before Blake finished off a well-worked move with a composed finish in the box after 10 minutes.

Dale was proving a bright spark for the visitors and only a last-ditch block on the line from Wilson denied her from levelling for Sunderland.

Kaila Novak forced a save from Demi Lambourne in the 26th minute, and the Sunderland keeper then reacted well to tip Johns’ 25-yard effort around the post a minute later.

Sunderland were awarded a penalty after 33 minutes for a hand-ball in the box, which Dale converted.

Five minutes after the restart, the visitors were ahead. Tatiana Saunders spilled Emily Scarr’s right-wing cross and Durham failed to clear. McAteer then had the simplest of tasks to slot home.

Wilson went close to restoring parity immediately, but her header was cleared off the line and Crosthwaite was denied at close-range by an excellent Lambourne block.

Durham piled on the pressure in the dying stages, but The Lady Black Cats held on for a gritty three points.

After the international break, Durham travel to Blackburn Rovers while Sunderland host Bristol City.