Sunderland U18 1-2 Chelsea U18
Recap the action from Sunderland under-18s’ quarter-final tie against Chelsea from the Academy of Light.
THE ACTION
Extra-time heartache struck Sunderland on Saturday afternoon as they exited the U18 Premier League Cup following a narrow defeat to Chelsea on home turf.
The Black Cats gave it as good as they had but were undone by an extra-time winner from Juan Castillo after Sam Greenwood had initially cancelled out Conor Gallagher’s penalty.
Greenwood did have the chance to level from the spot for a second time in the dying embers but was denied by the Chelsea stopper.
SCENESETTER
Mark Atkinson’s side welcomed the Blues to Wearside on a typically cold and blustery day in the north east. Having progressed through the group stages in strong fashion, finishing runners-up behind Liverpool, confidence was high in the Black Cats camp as the West London club made the long trip. Chelsea, on the other hand, made light work of their FA Youth Cup tie earlier this month – dispatching West Bromwich Albion 7-0. The task facing Atkinson and his troops, couldn’t be taller.
UP FOR THE FIGHT
But the youth team boss would have been impressed with how his lads equipped themselves in the opening period, frustrating the attack-minded visitors to go in at the break goalless. Marc Guehi headed wide from a corner off Tariq Uwakwe after Tariq Lamptey had fired wide. After an impressive display in the Black Cats 1-0 victory at Derby County last weekend, Anthony Patterson was once again in inspired form, turning away Uwakwe’s effort before Riyad Derbali did well to block Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s effort.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
Bali Mumba orchestrated hope in the final third for Sunderland, shifting the ball well into Tom Scothern’s path and the midfielder did well to flash a ball across goal with Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Dunne laying in wait. But the visitors struck back and almost made Sunderland pay for that missed chance as Taylor-Crossdale squandered it. That said, Patterson deserves enormous credit for getting down exceptionally quickly to turn away the effort after Guehi had knocked the free-kick down into the frontman’s path.
FROM THE SPOT
Chelsea continued to apply the pressure in the second 45 and eventually made the breakthrough, with Gallagher firing home from 12 yards. Substitute ‘keeper Michael Woud was the offender, bringing down Taylor-Crossdale, and Gallagher made no mistake as he dispatched the spot-kick. But the Blues’ lead lasted less than three minutes as Greenwood turned home Sunderland’s own penalty at the other end. Jordan Hickey threaded Greenwood in and the striker used his body well before going down under the challenge. Game on.
JANUARY BLUES
The post came to Sunderland’s rescue twice as the match headed for extra time, and it was Lamptey who did it both times. The Black Cats held their nerve as the referee signalled the end of 90 minutes, but Woud had to be at his very best in extra-time to deny Charlie Brown. Chelsea eventually regained their advantage at the midway point in extra-time, with Castillo capping off a free-flowing move from George McEachran and Gallagher. But there was yet another twist in the tale as Karlo Ziger conceded a penalty right on the stroke of 130 minutes. Greenwood stepped up again but was denied. Chelsea advance. Sunderland are left wondering what might have been.