Sunderland maintain their outside hope of automatic promotion from the Championship as Chris Mepham's goal gives them a 2-1 win over struggling Cardiff City at the Stadium of Light.

He was replaced by Chris Rigg but Sunderland lost some of their early swagger after the change. Cardiff threatened an equaliser on the half-hour mark when Callum Robinson’s strike from 25 yards flashed just wide of Anthony Patterson’s right post.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris discusses the good and not-so good elements of the Black Cats' 2-1 victory over Cardiff City.

Sivert Mannsverk reckons Cardiff City "should not even be close" to the Championship relegation scrap based on the talent within Omer Riza's squad. Cardiff, in 21st, are five points clear of the bottom three going into Saturday's tricky trip to Sunderland.

The Irishman has been playing some of the best football of his career this season, despite the Bluebirds' struggles

Mepham: 'delighted' to score winner against Cardiff - BBC Sounds. Total Sport Sunderland AFC Podcast - Mepham: 'delighted' to score winner aga

Striker Yousef Salech had a glorious chance to put the Bluebirds in front in the second half but was denied by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, and Riza was disappointed by the manner in which his side conceded Mepham's late strike. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

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Cardiff City FC find themselves in a perilous position, sitting 21st in the Championship points table. Their recent form has been dismal, with a 2-1 defeat to Burnley further deepening their woes, a match where, despite their best efforts, they fell short of salvaging even a single point.

We got back on track at Hillsborough last time out and now we return to the Stadium of Light for two games in four days beginning with the visit of Cardiff City this afternoon!

Cardiff haven’t won away from home in the league in 2025, and even if it’s only to be the playoffs this season, it’s a game that we really can’t look back at and say ‘typical Sunderland’ if we want to start building up a head of steam going into May.

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