Sunderland Edge Past Sheffield Wednesday with Mayenda’s Brace
Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland locked horns at Hillsborough in a thrilling Championship clash, with the Black Cats emerging victorious thanks to a match-winning brace from Eliezer Mayenda. The 19-year-old forward stole the headlines, scoring twice in a 2-1 win that keeps Sunderland’s promotion hopes alive while dealing a significant blow to Wednesday’s play-off ambitions.
The match started with Sheffield Wednesday on the front foot, pressing high and creating early opportunities. Callum Paterson came close with a flicked header that grazed the crossbar, while Josh Windass missed a golden chance to put the Owls ahead. Despite their promising start, Wednesday failed to capitalize on their chances, and Sunderland made them pay.
The visitors took the lead in controversial fashion in the 34th minute. Leo Hjelde launched a long ball forward, which Mayenda appeared to control with his arm before scuffing a shot past James Beadle. The Wednesday players protested, but the goal stood, leaving the home crowd furious. It was a scrappy goal, but as Mayenda himself admitted post-match, "A goal is a goal."
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Wednesday responded immediately after the break. Three minutes into the second half, Svante Ingelsson delivered a perfectly weighted cross, and Paterson rose highest to head it home, leveling the score at 1-1. Hillsborough erupted as the Owls gained momentum, pushing forward in search of a second.
But Sunderland, determined to stay in the promotion race, had other ideas. In the 71st minute, Trai Hume swung in a pinpoint cross, and Mayenda, unmarked in the box, powered a header past Beadle for his second of the night. This time, there was no controversy—just a clinical finish that silenced the home crowd.
Wednesday pushed hard for an equalizer, with Djeidi Gassama testing Sunderland’s keeper Anthony Patterson from distance, but the Black Cats held firm. Even with seven minutes of added time, the Owls couldn't find a way through.
With this win, Sunderland close the gap to second-placed Sheffield United to just five points, keeping their automatic promotion hopes alive. Meanwhile, Wednesday remain six points adrift of the play-offs, their chances fading with each passing game.
For Sunderland, this result could be a turning point in their season. For Wednesday, it was another frustrating night at Hillsborough.
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