Jack Clarke explains what happened at half-time to spur Sunderland comeback

Jack Clarke explains what happened at half-time to help Sunderland comeback and beat Plymouth 3-1 at he Stadium of Light.

It was a complete second-half performance from the hosts as they ensured they saw out back-to-back home victories.

Multiple players were at the top of their game as they quickly came from 1-0 down to take a 3-1 lead. Pierre Ekwah, Clarke and Jobe Bellingham were all on target in a result that took the Black Cats back into the playoffs.

However, in the first half, Sunderland weren’t quite as proficient and conceded a shambolic opener just before half-time.

At the interval, Clarke explains what was said in order for the hosts to come out and blow Plymouth away at the Stadium of Light.

Michael Beale’s “brutally hon

Sunderland felt a sucker punch just before the break as Ryan Hardie took advantage of poor defending to put Plymouth ahead. The visitors had their tails up after this and almost went two ahead when Hardie’s strike from the halfway line almost snuck in.

The break definitely came at the right time for Sunderland and they came out fully focused on the task ahead. Clarke’s side quickly equalised before the attacker put the hosts ahead just before the hour mark.

After the game, when Clarke was asked what occurred in the dressing room at half-time to produce such a performance, the attacker credited the manager for his “brutally honest” team talk.

“He [Beale] was just brutally honest to be honest,” Clarke told Sunderland. “He said what needed to be said and obviously, he said the right things to gear us up for the second half. We managed to change the game in the second half so credit to him and credit to ourselves as well.”

Michael Beale’s continues to prove he is the man to take Sunderland forward

Many fans were split when Beale first took over the Sunderland dugout. His position wasn’t helped when the side went on an inconsistent run of form early in his reign.

However, over recent weeks, he has shown not only is he able to hold his own, but he is also able to help change the game at key points.

Not only did his team talk provide a vital spark from the hosts early in the second half but his substitutes throughout were also spot on.

Bellingham was one such player who was rested for the tie and placed on the bench. Yet, when Beale brought him on he secured the third goal for Sunderland after just two minutes to put the game to bed.

Now, with another important two away games coming up, the manager has issued Sunderland a challenge in order to ensure they continue their momentum.