safc.com reflect on how Sunderland under-23s got on in their 2016-17 campaign in the second of a series of five reviews.
OCTOBER
Tuesday 4 October 2016 – Hartlepool United 0-1 Sunderland – Checkatrade Trophy
Sunderland returned to winning ways at the start of October with Donald Love providing a match-winning touch against Hartlepool United. The Black Cats were bright throughout as Josh Maja and Tom Beadling forced Adam Bartlett into action in an end to end first period. Maja then thought he had made Sunderland’s pressure tell as he tapped home George Honeyman’s ball across the face of goal only to see his effort ruled out for offside. But the Lads weren’t to be outdone and Love made no mistake with his chance from 12 yards to score his first goal in red and white.
Wednesday 19 October 2016 – Derby County 2-2 Sunderland – PL2
Andy Welsh’s side resumed their domestic campaign two weeks later but were left frustrated by a well-drilled Derby County. Following a goalless first period, Alex Babos made Sunderland rue their missed chances in the 57th minute as he tapped home after the lads failed to clear a corner. Daniel Wright struck back shortly after when he latched onto Lynden Gooch’s ball across the face of goal before Kellan Gordon made the most of the Black Cats’ lapse defending when he clinically finished to restore the Rams’ lead. But Welsh’s side refused to lie down, and Beadling ensured the Lads earned a share of the spoils when he converted a penalty after Maja was sent tumbling.
Sunday 23 October 2016 – Sunderland 1-1 Reading – PL2
Victory in the league continued to elude Sunderland as they were once again made to work hard to secure a point. Reading sneaked in front through Omar Richards as they strode forward for the first time. Richards waltzed his way into the box unnoticed and latched onto a cross from the right before sliding in to poke the ball past Max Stryjek. The young Black Cats responded well but were largely wasteful as Asoro leathered two chances over the bar. Patience was key and eventually the hosts' pressure paid its toll as Honeyman rammed home from a tight angle in the 38th minute after excellent combination play between Greenwood and Asoro.
Friday 28 October 2016 - Arsenal 4-0 Sunderland – PL2
Sunderland’s dip in league form continued at the hands of Arsenal as they were forced to return home empty handed. The Gunners made their bright start come to fruition with 28 minutes on the clock when Stephy Mavididi dispatched a spot kick. While Welsh’s side attempted to fight back, Arsenal merely romped through the gears in the second period and they scored three goals – through Nelson, Kaylen Hinds and Chris Willock - in 11 minutes to put the game beyond Sunderland’s reach.
NOVEMBER
Friday 4 November 2016 – Sunderland 1-0 Blackbun Rovers - PLCup
Seb Larsson made his return from injury as Sunderland chalked up a 1-0 win over their Blackburn Rovers counterparts in the Premier League Cup. The Swede, playing his first game since picking up a medial ligament problem in pre-season, completed 45 minutes at Eppleton CW. He made an impressive contribution before bowing out as planned at half time – a contribution which saw Maja scored what proved to be the winner just before the half-hour, firing home from close range.
Wednesday 9 November 2016 – Sunderland 2-1 Notts County – Checkatrade Trophy
Two goals in the final 10 minutes saw Sunderland come from behind against Notts County and secure their place in round two of the Checkatrade Trophy. The Black Cats were largely frustrated for most of the evening as Greenwood and Honeyman were denied early on. Vito Mannone, who made his first appearance since the opening Premier League game of the season, produced a fine stop to deny Alan Smith before Adam Campbell sparked the game into life on 49 minutes as he hooked the ball past Mannone. Sunderland hit back and while they continued to draw blanks, Maja inspired a late comeback as he guided the ball past Scott Loach on 83 minutes. Haydn Hollis then turned home Larsson’s strike to snatch victory at a bitterly cold Stadium of Light.
Friday 18 November 2016 – Sunderland 2-1 Benfica – PLInternationalCup
Luke Molyneux scored a late winner as Sunderland under-23s opened their Premier League International Cup account with a slender victory over Benfica. An attack minded Black Cats raced out the traps in the opening period as Asoro unleashed a thunderous strike past Ivan Zlobin on 19 minutes. It was a thoroughly deserved lead but the hosts failed to force home their dominance as they went on to squander a host of close-range efforts following a goalmouth scramble. Benfica come out in the second period a different team and looked a lot more solid as Heriberto Tavares capitalised on loose defending on to level things up. But Sunderland rallied late on and Molyneux slotted home Honeyman’s dragged shot to secure all three points.
Monday 21 November 2016 – Manchester United 0-2 Sunderland – PL2
Jan Kirchhoff made a goalscoring return as Sunderland stretched their winning run to four matches at Manchester United in the Premier League 2. The German midfielder clocked up 90 minutes as he made his first appearance since the start of October after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, it was one of the other returning Black Cats who gave them the lead as Seb Larsson’s deflected effort went past a helpless Kieran O’Hara on 44 minutes. While Sunderland were fortunate with the goal, Andy Welsh’s side went into the break deservedly ahead as Lynden Gooch was tireless in his efforts throughout.
Monday 28 November 2016 – Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Adnan Janzaj struck as Sunderland under-23s squandered a two-goal lead at home to Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgian featured for 56 minutes and inspired the Black Cats to go in front early on as Honeyman slammed the ball through a crowd of bodies on 11 minutes. Gooch was then stretchered off to add further worry in the treatment room. Januzaj gave the 53-year-old something to smile about as he raced cleared to double the host’s lead. Shilow Tracey then halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time before levelling the fixture nine minutes into the second period with an arrowed effort which flew into the top corner to ensure the points were split.
