Andy Welsh refused to be down beat following Sunderland under-23s’ defeat to Premier League 2 leaders Everton, admitting fine margins cost his side.
Without the towering figure of George Brady and the creative spark of George Honeyman, both through suspension, the Black Cats were left depleted in many areas.
Andrew Nelson led the charge with Joel Asoro and Josh Maja up top but title-hopefuls Everton proved to be a sticky opponent as Harry Charsley expertly finished on 27 minutes to get the blues noses in front.
Ethan Robson saw his free-kick tipped round the post before Asoro was again denied by top drawer ‘keeping as Welsh’s side fell a little short at the start of 2017.
However, speaking to safc.com, Welsh talked up the positives highlighting Denver Hume’s involvement as a massive bonus.
“Everton were exactly what they thought and they made life hard,” he said. “There wasn’t much room from start to finish and in the first-half they were strong and physical and we had one chance and didn’t take it.
“We didn’t create as much as we could’ve done in the first-half but after the break we played much better, created two or three good chances and on another day we could’ve got something from the game.”
He continued: “I’m disappointed we didn’t get something from the game because they had one real chance and took it.
“We went about our work well and matched them in most areas across the field. Luke Molyneux is a young player and he kept at it today and improved as the game went on.
“Denver came on for his first half of a game for 12 months and did very well while Andrew has also got to bed himself in the under-23s team now.”
