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Tom Watson's first Sunderland goals came on his 12th appearance for the club Teenage Sunderland midfielder Tom Watson scored the first two goals of his career as the Championship promotion hopefuls beat Stoke City to win for the first time in seven games. The hosts, who had not won since 26 October, were behind after just six minutes when Liverpool's 19-year-old loanee Lewis Koumas fired Stoke ahead at the second attempt. But Watson levelled within a minute and went close twice more before hitting a deflected 86th-minute winner. Saturday's Action: As it happened This week's EFL preview Neither side had managed a goal between them in their previous two games, yet, within just seven minutes of kick-off, it was 1-1. Recalled on-loan Liverpool teenager Koumas opened the scoring on six minutes when he broke down the right from near the halfway line before cutting in to test home keeper Anthony Patterson. His first effort was saved, but he coolly clipped the rebound in left-footed from a much tighter angle for a fourth goal of the season for the five-times capped Wales international. Yet the Stoke lead lasted less than 60 seconds before being cancelled out by an opposition player who is even younger. Midfielder Watson exchanged passes with Jobe Bellingham inside the Stoke box before the 18-year-old fired in a powerful, low right-foot shot which beat flat-footed Potters keeper Viktor Johansson at his near right post. Watson then came close to putting Sunderland ahead just before the break when he tested Johansson from a similar position, this time with his left foot, aimed at the other corner, but the Stoke keeper got enough on it to turn the ball against the upright. Wilson Isidor also twice went close, picking out Johansson on a quick break before steering another effort wide - and Watson then wasted another good chance when he scooped over unmarked from just outside the six-yard box. But, straight after the hosts had seen a goal chalked off from his cross, Watson then won it when, after being picked out by Patrick Roberts, his right-foot shot deflected past Johansson into the opposite corner. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 7th December 2024 at 15: 11 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Narcis Pelach Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Narcis Pelach Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Sunderland have lost four of their last six league games against Stoke City (W2), losing those matches by a combined score line of 12-3. Stoke City have won two of their last three away league games against Sunderland (L1), as many victories as across their prior 24 such matches combined beforehand (D9 L13). Sunderland are one of only three sides without a win in the Championship since the start of November (D5 L1), with the Black Cats scoring the joint-fewest goals in that time (3). Stoke are winless in their last four league games (D3 L1), and could fail to score in three successive league matches for the first time since November 2023. Only Sheffield United (65 minutes 01 seconds) have been trailing for less time in the Championship this season than Sunderland (104: 37). The Black Cats have only gone behind in one home league game this season, a 2-2 draw with Leeds in October. Match ends, Sunderland 2, Stoke City 1. Second Half ends, Sunderland 2, Stoke City 1. Attempt saved. Ashley Phillips (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Eric-Junior Bocat with a cross. André Vidigal (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Patrick Roberts (Sunderland). Attempt blocked. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Watson. Substitution, Sunderland. Leo Hjelde replaces Wilson Isidor. Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Attempt missed. André Vidigal (Stoke City) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ben Wilmot. Foul by Thomas Cannon (Stoke City). Anthony Patterson (Sunderland) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Goal! Sunderland 2, Stoke City 1. Tom Watson (Sunderland) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Patrick Roberts. Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Michael Rose. Substitution, Stoke City. Ben Wilmot replaces Bae Jun-Ho. Attempt missed. Andrew Moran (Stoke City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Viktor Johansson (Stoke City). Offside, Sunderland. Wilson Isidor is caught offside. Attempt missed. Eliezer Mayenda (Sunderland) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Tom Watson. Substitution, Sunderland. Eliezer Mayenda replaces Chris Rigg. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.