Peterborough United 0-2 Sunderland: Sebastian Larsson & James McClean fire Black Cats through in FA Cup

Peterborough United have now lost its last four FA Cup third round ties against Premier League opposition after a 2-0 home defeat to an obviously superior Sunderland side on Sunday.

After a goalless first half with few golden chances, the visitors took the lead moments into the second period, Seb Larsson’s free-kick traveling through a sea of players before nestling in the bottom corner.

James McClean, who looked dangerous throughout, scored Sunderland’s second 10 minutes later, heading in Larsson’s corner as Martin O’Neill’s team dominated for much of the match.

Darren Ferguson made just the one change from Peterborough’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City last time out, bringing in Lee Tomlin, who has just recovered from an injury, while Joe Newell dropped to the bench.

Sunderland hardly made wholesale changes either, making just the two as Nicklas Bendtner was replaced by Larsson as Stephane Sessegnon played up top by himself, while Phil Bardsley started in place of the ill Jack Colback.

The Black Cats started of the brighter of the sides with Seb Larsson getting the game’s first chance, but after pouncing on Tommy Rowe’s poor pass, the Swede put his shot well wide of the far post as he surged into the area.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to get their second chance, but this time Joe Lewis in the Posh goal got his hands to the effort, parrying away Craig Gardner’s long-range effort.

O’Neill’s Black Cats continued to press their hosts and more slack passing by Peterborough in their own half almost allowed Sessegnon to get on the end of Gardner’s low cross, but Ryan Bennett’s intervention at the far-post spared Scott Wootton’s blushes.

Posh managed to haul themselves out of their own half for a few moments just past the 10 minute mark and almost got a goal, but first Rowe’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked by teammate Emile Sinclair, then Ryan Tunnicliffe’s volley went narrowly wide of the far post.

The hosts continued to assert themselves well after a slow start and Paul Taylor almost scored a memorable goal, picking up the ball on the half-way line before skipping past the attentions of several defenders before shooting past Simon Mignolet’s right post.

McClean soon went close to putting the visitors in the lead, but his shot from the left-corner of the penalty area crashed off Lewis’ crossbar before going behind.

Following McClean’s chance, the pendulum had swung back in Sunderland’s favor and Lewis was forced into another save with 10 minutes until half-time as Gardner met Larsson’s cross with his head, but the visitors had to settle for a corner.

The first half petered out with little ceremony, but the second started with a bang as Seb Larsson’s free-kick just outside the area on the left hand side curled round into the bottom far corner, appearing to go straight in without a touch.

Moments later, Larsson went close again, this time a shot from a tight-angle on the right, but Lewis kept it out, if a little unconvincingly.

After the goal, Ferguson’s team appeared deflated and with just under half an hour, O’Neill’s side effectively wrapped up the win as McClean grabbed his goal.

Larsson was once again at the centre of the goal, delivering an inviting corner from the left and the young Northern Irishman glanced his header into the far side of the net.

The goals undoubtedly knocked the stuffing out of the home team as Sunderland began to dominate even more after opening up the two-goal lead, but it probably should have been extended even further with 20 minutes to go.

McClean did brilliantly down the left, skipping past two challenges before flashing the ball across the face of the goal, but with the lack of a natural center-forward in the side, the change went begging.

Just as the first-half did, the second period began to peter out as both teams knew the match was effectively over and Sunderland held on for a comfortable victory and are through to the FA Cup fourth round.

Follow GOAL.COM USA on