Sunderland rout Reading 3-0 to aid under-fire O'Neill
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon, left, scores his goal past Reading's goalkeeper Adam Federici, right, during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom (AFP) - Sunderland eased the pressure on under-fire manager Martin O'Neill with a crucial 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Reading on Tuesday.
Black Cats boss O'Neill has been subjected to growing criticism in recent weeks following a woeful run of results which saw his side slip into the relegation zone after Saturday's 3-1 defeat against Chelsea.
But they finally ended a dismal run of just two Premier League wins in 23 attempts thanks to goals from James McClean, Steven Fletcher and Stephane Sessegnon at the Stadium of Light.
A first victory in five matches lifted Sunderland up to 15th place, while Reading remain second bottom of the table with just nine points from 16 matches.
