safc.com has compiled an all you need to know guide ahead of Monday’s Premier League 2 fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur U23 v Sunderland U23
Location and time: Lamex Stadium, KO 7pm
How they fare: Tottenham Hotspur U23
League position: 11th
League wins: 4
League defeats: 8
League goals scored: 24
League goals conceded: 31
League form: WDDWL
Last time out: Liverpool U23 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur U23 (tottenhamhotspur.co.uk)
Marcus Edwards marked his return from injury with a goal but Liverpool had the final say as they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the Premier League 2 at Anfield on Sunday.
Sidelined by an ankle injury since October, Edwards was joined in the starting line-up by Cameron Carter-Vickers and Josh Onomah, both making their first appearances in the Premier League 2 this season.
Things started so well against the third-placed Reds.
Edwards opened the scoring on 18 minutes with a fine low strike from the right angle, bending the ball into the bottom corner with his left foot.
It was soon 2-0 as Nathan Oduwa won possession and the ball eventually fell for Will Miller, who finished despite the efforts of goalkeeper Kamil Grabara and Joe Gomez on the line.
The next goal was always going to be key and Liverpool got a foot back in the game after Joe Muscatt clipped Trent Alexander-Arnold in the box and Harry Wilson converted from the spot.
Liverpool levelled via Sheyi Ojo's curler just two minutes into the second half and had their best spell after that, but it looked like we'd hold out for a draw until Kevin Stewart timed his run to perfection to meet Alexander-Arnold's cross and bury the winner eight minutes from time.
Spotlight: Spurs U23 head coach – Ugo Ehiogu
Former Middlesbrough and Aston Villa defender Ugo Ehiogu is currently Tottenham Hotspurs’ under-23s’ head coach.
Ehiogu made more than 500 appearances at club level and won four England caps during his career.
The 43-year-old started his career at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Villa Park in 1991, where he spent nine years.
Spells at Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday followed before he ended his career at Wembley in 2012.
Key battle: Shayon Harrison v Michael Ledger
A thorn in Sunderland’s side back in April, Shayon Harrison is a promising left-footed striker who is rising through Spurs’ academy. Harrison has scored five goals already this term and was rewarded for his fine run of form as he made his senior competitive debut against Liverpool in October 2016. The 19-year-old will be hungry for more first-team chances and Michael Ledger is sure to have his work cut out on Monday evening. However, the young Black Cats secured a hard fought clean sheet against Athletic Club last Wednesday and Ledger will be keen to maintain their resilient streak.
