Sunderland U18 1-4 Arsenal
Sunderland fell to a disappointing defeat to Arsenal in the game at the Academy of Light.
The Wearsiders dominated the first half but Arsenal soaked up the pressure and then struck to take charge in the second period after levelling shortly before the break with their first shot on target.
Sunderland had gone ahead on 16 minutes when striker Joel Asoro muscled his way past a defender to go on and score low past Arsenal keeper Joao Virginia.
Elliott Embleton and Dan Pybus also went close but four minutes before the break the Londoners equalised when prolific scorer Eddie Nketiah volleyed in at the near post completely unmarked.
It was the first of a series of defensive errors by the hosts which was to cost them dearly.
On 68 minutes Aaron Eyoma slid in Nketiah to finish well. Then three minutes later sub Reiss Nelson raced through the middle of a non-existent central defence to easily place the ball low into the net.
Ten minutes from time, Arsenal striker Donyell Malen was in to easily slip the ball under Sunderland keeper James Talbot for the fourth.It had been a object lesson for the Youths in how to defend well, absorbing attacking play before hitting back to take the game.
Coach Elliott Dickman said: "Poor defending cost us the game although I think that the score was not a true reflection of the match as we played well for most of the game."
Sunderland: Talbot, Gamble, Casey, Storey, Hume, Trialist, Wright, Pybus, Molyneux, Embleton, Asoro.
Subs: Allan, McCulloch, Krusnell, Taylor, Poame.
