Sunderland let victory slip in 1-1 draw at Lech

Sunderland had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Lech in the League Phase. Despite dominating for long spells, the visitors were pegged back by Martin Bengtsson’s equaliser. Timur Tutierov’s first goal for Sunderland was not enough to secure victory.

Tutierov gave Sunderland an ideal start, heading in Nilson Angulo’s cross after a poor clearance by Mateusz Lis. Scored barely a minute into the match, it was the fastest goal of this Europa League edition. Sunderland then threatened to extend its lead, with Angulo hitting the post, but the chances went unconverted.

Lech, beaten 4-0 in each of its first two League Phase matches, scored its first European goal of the season when substitute Bengtsson fired in after a knock-down from a corner. He beat Robin Roefs with 20 minutes remaining. Sunderland’s goalkeeper had earlier produced a fine double save against Radoslaw Murawski after initially parrying Patrik Walemark’s attempt into his path. Daniel Hakans also failed to hit the target after a pass from Pablo Rodriguez.

Sunderland pressed for another goal. Substitute Chris Rigg sent a curling effort from 20 yards just over the bar, but his side could not avoid its first draw of its European campaign. Sky Sports notes that Sunderland remains unbeaten in the Europa League and has seven points from three matches.

Tutierov was making only his fourth appearance for Sunderland. Last season, he was on loan at Exeter in League One, before injuries to Brian Brobbey and Wilson Isidor accelerated his move into the first team. In the Premier League, Sunderland sits 20th with 4 points from 7 matches. Its record is one win, one draw and five defeats, with 6 goals scored and 14 conceded. Across its last five matches in the competition, the club has no wins, one draw and four defeats.