Rotherham United's performance against Sunderland on 21st February 2023 displayed exceptional teamwork and clinical efficiency. The home side capitalised on their scoring opportunities early, netting the opening goal at the 18th minute. Despite having fewer corner kicks (4) compared to Sunderland's 6, Rotherham United managed to secure a critical lead and double it early in the second half with another goal at the 55th minute mark.

Sunderland's response with a goal five minutes later, at 60:50, showcased their resilience, but it proved insufficient to overturn the deficit. Sunderland's offensive effort was apparent with their higher number of corner kicks, indicating sustained pressure in Rotherham’s defensive area. However, Sunderland managed to convert only one of these chances into a goal, hinting at a lack of precision in their final execution.

Rotherham's defensive fortitude was another significant factor, evidenced by their 24 fouls, reflecting a strategy focused on disrupting Sunderland’s attacking flow. Additionally, despite earning more yellow cards (2) compared to Sunderland’s single yellow card, Rotherham maintained their discipline, avoiding any game-changing red cards.

Substitutions played a crucial role in maintaining the gameplay dynamics. While specific details on the substitutions are not provided, it can be inferred that Rotherham’s choices helped sustain their two-goal lead for the majority of the second half, until Sunderland's late goal. Discipline in offside control was also better in Rotherham’s camp, with no offsides compared to Sunderland’s one, indicating better timing and tactical awareness in their attacking movements.

In conclusion, the critical factors that shaped the match outcome were Rotherham’s efficient goal conversion early in each half, robust defensive tactics leading to numerous fouls, and superior offside discipline. These elements collectively crafted a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sunderland, highlighting Rotherham United's strategic execution and resilience in Championship play.

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