An exhilarating draw between Southampton and Norwich City showcased an impressive performance by Josh Sargent, who not only scored but also contributed with an assist. Elsewhere, Haji Wright opened his Coventry City account, finding the net just four minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Southampton 4 – 4 Norwich
Josh Sargent played the full 90 minutes, as his team conceded a penalty late into stoppage time to settle for a draw. Jonathan Tomkinson did not feature due to an injury.
In an intense 16-minute sequence before halftime, the action unfolded rapidly. It all began with Josh Sargent heading in Jack Stacey’s well-placed cross, followed by Jan Bednarek powerfully equalizing for the Saints from close range. Armstrong’s first successful penalty of the day gave the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Within two minutes, the Canaries bounced back with an awe-inspiring strike from the exceptional Brazilian player, Gabriel Sara, with Sargent assisting the goal. Sara then set up Jonathan Rowe to score with a header, putting the visitors in the lead before the break. A substitution brought Che Adams onto the field, and he promptly leveled the score for the Saints.
Despite this, Christian Fassnacht seized an opportunity created by some late defensive errors and struck what seemed to be the winning goal. However, Armstrong’s dramatic intervention ensured that neither team could maintain their flawless start to the new season.
Josh Sargent played exceptionally well alongside Gabriel Sara, who both scored and assisted. Sargent picked up an 8.3 via FotMob.
The 23-year-old created three chances for his team, with two of them being classified as ‘big chances.’ The former Werder Bremen forward only took one shot, which he scored, further demonstrating his ability to create opportunities for those around him.
Coventry City 3 – 0 Middlesbrough
Haji Wright started this game off the bench, mainly due to fitness reasons. The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Coventry’s EFL Cup exit earlier in the week. The record signing proved his worth just a mere four minutes after coming on.
In just 11 minutes, the hosts took the lead as Godden reacted swiftly to slot the ball into the bottom corner after a deflection off a defender from Josh Eccles’ delivery into the box.
Godden had another opportunity denied by Seny Dieng in the 22nd minute, and Milan van Ewijk couldn’t convert the rebound. Ellis Simms also had two shots saved by Dieng.
Boro’s performance improved after halftime. Summer signing Morgan Rogers advanced from halfway and shot wide from a good position. Isiah Jones hit the side-netting, and Rogers set up Samuel Silvera who missed a chance.
Wright, coming off the bench in the 66th minute, secured the win within four minutes, capitalizing on the chaos caused by a corner. At the opposite end, Wilson saved a Rogers cross, but the unfortunate Matt Crooks inadvertently sent the ball wide of the unguarded net. Three goals and a clean sheet for Coventry, making it a good weekend for them.
The first goal for the USMNT striker and there’s more to come.
“As a striker you want to get off the mark as quick as you can and he came on and did really well,” Coventry’s Ben Sheaf said about Wright in a postmatch interview.
“He was a threat, he held the ball up and I am really glad he got his goal.”
Preston North End 2 – 1 Sunderland
Duane Holmes didn’t start in this fixture, and the reason could also be the same as Wright’s; both played 90-plus minutes mid-week. Lynden Gooch didn’t appear in the squad once again as competition starts growing.
Sunderland introduced former Blackburn striker Bradley Dack for his debut and started stronger in front of 6,000 traveling fans. Ryan Ledson thwarted efforts from Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham, while Pierre Ekwah’s long-range attempt was turned around the post by Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. Nonetheless, the tiebreaker emerged in the 25th minute when Frokjaer’s bending shot from the box’s edge deflected off Keane, who was on his second Deepdale debut and found its way past Anthony Patterson.
Woodman blocked a free-kick by Patrick Roberts, but just six minutes after falling behind, the visitors equalized. Kian Best clumsily brought down Clarke in the box, resulting in a penalty that the former Leeds and Spurs player calmly converted into the corner.
Dennis Cirkin’s well-timed block in the second half thwarted Alan Browne’s attempt for a second goal. Ekwah sent another 25-yard strike narrowly wide. Best pushed forward and shot over from the area’s edge. Just before the hour mark, Sunderland surrendered possession cheaply, allowing Browne to surge forward and find Frokjaer, who sidefooted home Preston’s second shot on target.
The hosts endured late pressure, with Woodman’s quick reaction save denying Roberts an equalizer 15 minutes from time. Luke O’Nien narrowly missed with a powerful header from Clarke’s corner. The defeat marks Sunderland’s first instance of starting the season with consecutive league losses in seven years.
Holmes played just 14 minutes plus stoppage time and was primarily on defensive duty to secure the win. Despite the majority of his passes not connecting, he was solid defensively, making two interceptions, two recoveries, and winning 83 percent of his ground duels.
Notes
Tyler Bindon was included in Reading’s squad that lost 1-0 to Port Vale but was an unused sub.
Vaughn Covill wasn’t in the Hull squad that beat Sheffield Wednesday as he not only played mid-week but only just returned from a year-long injury.
Tyler Adam’s move to Chelsea has collapsed and has returned to Leeds. His future still remains unclear.
Charlie Kelman was missing from the QPR squad that beat Cardiff City.
Daryl Dike is still out, recovering from a long-term injury.
Follow Yanks Abroad on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for news and views on Americans playing the beautiful game around the world and the U.S. national team.
