Sunderland under-23s concluded a memorable season by competing in the club’s first ever International Cup final!
Here’s how the drama unfolded in the final months of the season…
APRIL
Friday 7 April – Chelsea 3-0 Sunderland – PL2
Reeling from their victory over Norwich City a week before Sunderland were left feeling blue as Chelsea ran riot at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League 2. Elliott Dickman’s side were second best throughout, falling behind to Richard Nartey’s close range finish with just four minutes played. The young Black Cats did manage to steady the ship, but it didn’t last as Ike Ugbo struck either side of the break to seal all three points for Chelsea, and in the same breath inflict a night to forget in the capital for the Lads. Sunderland headed to West London fuelled by last Friday’s European semi-final victory over Norwich City, courtesy of Joel Asoro’s seismic strike in the first-half.
Saturday 22 April – Sunderland 2-1 Arsenal – PL2
Sunderland came from behind to clinch their first Premier League 2 victory in 2017 at the expense of Arsenal. Chances were aplenty in the opening period for a Black Cats’ side which included three regular first-team faces, Lynden Gooch, Donald Love and George Honeyman. But for all of their added experience, Arsenal remained resolute as Rees Greenwood volleyed over and Asoro had two quick-fire attempts kept out by Hugo Keto. The Gunners were much improved after the midway interval, Donyell Malen providing a neat finish on 55 minutes to break the deadlock in a tight affair. Sunderland weren’t behind long, though, and just 13 minutes later Gooch’s strike squirmed underneath Keto to level things up in Hetton. From there it was pretty much one-way traffic as Sunderland lay siege to the Gunners goal, but it was a counter-attack which proved most decisive for the Lads.
MAY
Monday 8 May 2017 – Reading 3-2 Sunderland – PL2
A below-par Sunderland were royally beaten in their final Premier League 2 fixture of the season at Reading on Monday evening. The Royals produced a well-oiled display with Yakou Meite proving to be a thorn in the Black Cats’ side, carving out numerous openings with soaring runs from deep. But Reading had to wait ‘til the second period to force the issue, George Brady was caught out as he turned Meite’s low cross into his own net with 51 minutes played before Josh Barrett converted a penalty four minutes later. The lively Andrija Novakovich then joined in on the act with 26 minutes left, latching onto a sluggish back pass to add a third. Sunderland didn't give up, though, and were rewarded for their efforts as Maja fired home and then Embleton netted a sensational free-kick to set up a grandstand finish at the Madejski. Unfortunately, a third proved to be just out of the Lads' reach and Reading held on to move off the foot of the table in their final game of the season.
Wednesday 17 May 2017 – Sunderland 0-5 FC Porto – PLInternational Cup
Sunderland’s hopes of lifting their first Premier League International Cup crown were crushed by a Porto masterclass at the Stadium of Light. With record high in attendance in the competition watching on, the stage was set for the under-23s’ showcase final after a season’s worth of hard work saw them deservedly face European giants Porto for the trophy. But with just five minutes on the clock, Porto began engraving their name into the trophy as Galeno exquisitely bent the ball past Stryjek and into the far corner. Joris Kayembe was then denied from the penalty spot on 27 minutes but it didn’t affect the outcome of the match as Porto merely went from strength to strength after that. Galeno netted his second eight minutes later when he peeled off his man to fire home centre of goal before Andre Pereira added a third on the stroke of half-time to deal Sunderland the ultimate blow. Porto continued to romp through the gears in the second period and netted a further two goals inside 10 minutes of the restart. Kayembe firstly arrowed his strike into the corner and then Chidozie Awaziem planted a looping header over Stryjek and into the corner. Porto run out worthy winners.
