Sunderland 1-0 Portsmouth: Wilson Isidor scores Black Cats' winner to keep them in thick of promotion hunt

Sunderland kept themselves in the race for promotion in the Sky Bet Championship after a narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth.

Wilson Isidor scored the only goal early at the Stadium of Light, which was enough to make it back-to-back wins in 2025 for Regis Le Bris' Black Cats.

The result keeps Sunderland on the tail of the top three. They are fourth in the table on 50 points, two behind Burnley and Sheffield United in second and third and three behind leaders Leeds.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Championship highlights | Table | Fixtures
• All you need to know - Streaming Sky Sports with NOW
• Download the Sky Sports App to watch every Sky Sports+ game
• Live EFL on Sky Sports+ & how to watch | Get more EFL to your phone with WhatsApp

It is a strong position to be in ahead of their trip to Burnley in their next Championship game on Friday January 17 - which is live on Sky Sports.

In-form Isidor sweeps in early Sunderland winner

It did not take long for Sunderland to take the lead. Isidor is a man in form and it showed on seven minutes as he raced through the middle, latching onto a smart pass from Eliezer Mayenda before lashing one into the corner of the net.

Sunderland had other chances, too. Patrick Roberts should have done better on 19 minutes than see his heeled attempt cleared off the line after brilliant work from Adil Aouchiche, and then Mayenda was fed by Isidor but could only lash into the side of the net on the stroke of half-time.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

On 67 minutes any hopes of a Portsmouth comeback were ended as Marlon Pack was sent off. A mix-up at the back saw Isidor spring away with a clear run at goal and the Pompey captain pulled him down. The referee had no choice but to show him a straight red card.

The result leaves Portsmouth outside the bottom three on goals scored alone, although they do have games in hand on all the sides below them.

The managers

Sunderland's Regis Le Bris:

"It was the fifth game in 15 days with a small squad. We can't expect a great level of play during the whole game, it's impossible. We showed we wanted to win and were connected.

"It's good for us because even if we didn't score the second goal we showed our consistency. It's good for a young team because they could have lost their emotional control, but we didn't."

"[Isidor] is very talented, but he's also shown he's a hard worker and a great team-mate. We spoke often about the confidence of our strikers. It's still like that. If you can keep a high level, it's better.

"The most important thing is the way they behave as a team-mate and if you are connected, even if you struggle for a short period, you know you are working for the team and your team-mates will know that and will help you."

Portsmouth's John Mousinho:

"There's definitely an air of positivity in the changing room. We've taken one of the top sides in the league with excellent players right to the wire, with 10 men as well.

"Even before the last 10 minutes, I thought we were decent value. Overall, I'm really pleased.

"They caught us early, but once we settled back into the game, I was happy with what we did and we had some half chances.

"The work rate, tenacity and desire that we didn't see at Ashton Gate was all there today."

Win £250,000 with Super 6!

The £250,000 is up for grabs with Super 6, and as always it is completely free to play. Entries by 3pm Saturday.