Sunderland’s emphatic 1-5 victory over Derby County in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday was the kind of performance that reassured supporters and sent a message to the rest of the competition. It began
with a shock as Derby struck first, but unfolded into a demonstration of Sunderland’s resilience, tactical maturity and attacking flair.
Mel Reay’s starting lineup was built around her trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, with Demi Lambourne returning in goal and her presence steadying the back line after recent rotation.
In defence, Jessica Brown took up the right back role and was tasked with providing defensive solidity and overlapping runs, while Louise Griffiths provided width and crossing ability from the left. The central pairing of Rhiannon Roberts and Hannah Greenwood combined youthful energy with veteran composure, ensuring Sunderland had both pace and positional awareness at the heart of defence.
The midfield duo, meanwhile, was carefully balanced.
Jamie Finn sat deepest, recycling possession and dictating the tempo. Marissa Sheva provided box-to-box dynamism, surging forward to support attacks, and the magical Katie Kitching orchestrated play with her trademark technicality and vision, ensuring Sunderland never lost their tenacity.
Up front, Keira Barry led the line, flanked by Ellen Jones on the left and Katy Watson on the right — a trident that promised pace, movement, and clinical finishing. On the bench, Sunderland had depth in abundance, with Brianna Westrup, Eleanor Dale, Libbi McInnes and several academy graduates ready to inject energy if needed.
The match began with drama as within four minutes, Derby stunned Sunderland — Chenè Muir unleashing a speculative strike from distance that flew past Lambourne and sent the home crowd into raptures. It was a goal that epitomised Derby’s intent: fearless, opportunistic, and keen to rattle their Championship opponents.
For Sunderland, the early setback was a test of character. Lesser sides might’ve panicked but Reay’s team responded with composure. The midfield trio tightened their grip, recycling possession and probing Derby’s defensive lines, and ten minutes later, Sunderland equalised.
Kitching played a wonderful ball into the onrushing Watson — who could’ve easily taken the shot on herself — but she selflessly laid the ball off perfectly to Barry, who had the goal at her mercy. Barry reacted instinctively, slotting home the pass. It was a poacher’s finish but more importantly, it restored Sunderland’s confidence and allowed them to dictate the tempo.
From then on, Sunderland grew into the game. Griffiths began to torment Derby’s right back, cutting inside and firing narrowly wide, whilst Finn’s leadership ensured the team remained calm and Brown’s distribution stretched the pitch.
The second goal arrived midway through the first half as Griffiths threaded a perfectly-weighted pass through Derby’s backline and Watson did brilliantly to hold up the ball with her back to goal, turn and score on the half volley.
Barry then went close to bagging another when she leathered a free kick towards goal from thirty yards out. It had Derby’s goalkeeper beaten but the shot cannoned off the crossbar and went up and out of play for a goal kick.
The Sunderland pressure was relentless; Derby’s defensive shape began to unravel and the third goal arrived midway through the first half.
Roberts threaded a well-judged pass through Derby’s defence and Watson timed her run to perfection. One-on-one with the keeper, she finished coolly, giving Sunderland a two-goal advantage heading into half time.
The second half began with Sunderland in control and Derby still searching for a way back.
Barry added her second soon after, ghosting into the box to meet a low cross and finishing with aplomb. She unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area that left the goalkeeper rooted. It was a goal of individual quality which effectively killed the contest — and her brace highlighted her ability to combine midfield industry with attacking instinct.
The turning point arrived just after the hour mark as Jess Melrose — already on a booking — left an elbow in Griffiths’ face after the ball was played.
The referee produced a second yellow card.Derby were reduced to ten players and Sunderland sensed blood. With numerical superiority, they pushed higher up the pitch. Brown and Watson overlapped relentlessly, while Kitching surged forward from midfield.
Greenwood completed the rout with her first of the afternoon and for Sunderland since joining, with a header from Brown’s pinpoint cross. It was a classic defender’s goal, showcasing her aerial prowess and Sunderland’s attacking variety.
The final ten minutes were played at Sunderland’s pace, their passing triangles frustrating Derby’s depleted side. Lambourne made another save to deny the hosts a late consolation, and Sunderland saw out the game with composure.
Reay then opted to make changes, bringing on Brianna Westrup, Mary Corbyn, Emily Cassap and Libbi McInnes for Hannah Greenwood, Ellen Jones, Jamie Finn and Katie Kitching.
The substitutions ensured that the momentum remained with Sunderland, and the Lasses continued to press relentlessly. Barry and Watson — both on braces — sought desperately to come away with a hat trick and the match ball, with the former looking most likely with some powerful shots from distance. However, credit has to be given to the Derby goalkeeper, who made some exemplary saves to keep the score down.
The standout performers were clear, and Barry was the heartbeat of Sunderland’s performance with her brace epitomising her striker’s role, whilst Watson was clinical in front of goal, her movement constantly unsettling Derby’s defence. She was a constant menace on the right flank, stretching Derby’s defence and scoring a composed third goal.
Finn’s leadership ensured Sunderland never lost control after conceding early, while Lambourne recovered from the early setback to make key saves that prevented Derby from mounting a comeback. Each player contributed to a collective performance that was both ruthless and professional.
Tactically, Sunderland’s 4-2-3-1 worked to perfection and the midfield duo provided balance, with Finn anchoring and Sheva dictating tempo.
The full backs offered width while the front four — so to speak — combined pace and clinical finishing. Derby’s early goal momentarily exposed Sunderland but once the visitors settled, their superior fitness and tactical discipline shone through. The red card only accelerated Sunderland’s dominance but even before that, they were in control, with Reay’s tactical choices vindicated and the blend of youth and experience working seamlessly.
This victory was more than just progression in the FA Cup — it was a morale boost after the disappointment against Nottingham Forest.
Scoring five goals away from home demonstrated Sunderland’s attacking potency, while the resilience shown after conceding early highlighted their mental strength. For Reay, the performance was a reminder of her side’s potential and with Sunderland’s ambitions in both the FA Cup and the Championship still alive, and this win will fuel belief.
The squad depth was evident, with the bench offering flexibility and the starting line-up blending experience and youth — and it’ll be interesting to see if Reay fields a similar eleven at the weekend.
This victory was a comprehensive display of resilience, tactical maturity, and attacking flair.
From the starting lineup to the bench; from the early setback to the ruthless second half performance, Sunderland showcased their quality with Barry, Watson, and Griffiths the standout performers, and Finn and Greenwood providing stability.
The win not only secures our FA Cup progression but also restores belief ahead of next week’s Championship clash with Ipswich Town. Sunderland will enter that fixture buoyed by confidence, determined to continue their upward trajectory and prove that this FA Cup rout wasn’t an isolated performance but a marker of their growing strength.
Ipswich will provide a stern test and for Sunderland, the challenge will be to replicate the intensity and ruthlessness shown against Derby.
Barry’s energy, Watson’s finishing, Finn’s leadership, Kitching’s creativity and Greenwood’s composure will be key. The FA Cup victory has restored confidence but the league remains the ultimate priority and Sunderland will need to carry this momentum into the Ipswich game, with a determination to finish the year on a positive note ahead of a busy second half of the season.
