Sport

Sunderland torpedoed

Ipswich blew a massive hole in Sunderland's hopes of an automatic promotion place with a crucial win at a packed Portman Road…

Wed Apr 29 1998 - 01:00

Ipswich blew a massive hole in Sunderland's hopes of an automatic promotion place with a crucial win at a packed Portman Road last night.

Peter Reid's side arrived on the back of a run of just one defeat in 17 games and knowing two wins would secure an instant return to the Premiership.

But after having the better of the first half they were undone by two pieces of kamikaze defending in 13 second-half minutes to leave their destiny in others' hands.

David Johnson dispossessed Jody Craddock on the byline and crossed for Matt Holland to score his 12th of the season with a diving header on 47 minutes.

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And Jamie Clapham was then given the freedom of Portman Road to cross for Alex Mathie to volley past Lionel Perez on the hour.

The home side, already guaranteed a play-off place, could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty after Craddock and Jonhson tangled on the edge of the area. The defender looked to have made contact with the ball but Johnson went down theatrically and referee Leach pointed to the spot. Mathie stepped up but his shot came back off Perez's legs.

Sunderland's defeat clinched Nottingham Forest's promotion to the Premiership and offered north-east rivals Middlesbrough the chance to go second should they beat Wolves at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow night. 99384656

Ipswich: Wright, Stockwell, Taricco, Dyer (Sonner 80), Venus, Cundy, Clapham, Holland, Johnson (Scowcroft 71), Mathie, Petta (Uhlenbeek 84). Goals: Holland 48, Mathie 61.

Sunderland: Perez, Holloway (Dichio 75), Makin, Clark (Rae 63), Craddock, Williams, Summerbee, Ball, Quinn, Phillips, Johnston. Subs Not Used: Ord. Booked: Phillips, Johnston. Att: 20,902.

Referee: K A Leach (Wolverhampton).

England coach Glenn Hoddle is to sue psychic Uri Geller for libel and malicious falsehood, his solicitors announced yesterday.

Geller told a Sunday newspaper that Hoddle had visited him at his Berkshire mansion a couple of years ago and made various claims about what had taken place during the alleged meeting.

Hoddle's solicitors, Pictons, yesterday responded by announcing that the England coach would be suing Geller for aggravated and exemplary damages which could amount to tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of pounds if the case went in his favour.