safc.com reflect on how Sunderland under-23s got on in their 2016-17 campaign in the first of a series of five reviews.
AUGUST
Sunday 14 August 2016 – Sunderland 1-1 Chelsea – PL2
Andy Welsh’s development side opened their Premier League 2 account with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Eppleton CW. The young Blacks Cats crafted the better chances but were wasteful as the Blues somehow managed to hang in there. Joel Asoro and Elliot Embleton squandered a host of fine chances before the Lads eventually made the breakthrough on the hour mark, with Asoro capitalising on a defensive mix-up to slam ball home from the edge of the box. Sunderland’s lead was short lived though, as Dan Wright netted a cruel own goal. It was harsh on the young Black Cats, given how dominant they had been in front of goal, but both sides were left to rue defensive errors and the game finished as a stalemate.
Monday 22 August 2016 – Leicester City 2-3 Sunderland – PL2
Frustrated they didn’t take three points from Chelsea a week earlier, Sunderland headed to the home of Premier League champions Leicester itching to collect three points. However, it was far from simple for Welsh’s side who fell behind on 18 minutes when Bartosz Kapustka tapped home. Within minutes though it was all square as George Honeyman converted a penalty after being brought down. Both sides continued to trade blows, but it was Leicester who managed to draw blood first. Eight minutes into the second period the powerful Admiral Muskwe restored the Foxes lead before Honeyman slammed home his second following a well-worked counter attack. But it was Ethan Robson who stole the show in the dying embers, by netting a wonder set-piece from 20-yards to win it for Sunderland. The Lads were off and running for the season.
Sunday 28 August – Sunderland 3-0 Southampton – PL2
Sunderland returned to Wearside later that week to produce a masterclass display and dismantle an undefeated Southampton. Welsh’s troops were rewarded for their lightning start when Josh Maja calmly slotted home from 12 yards after latching onto a loose ball. The Saints responded well but Maja struck made it 2-0 before half-time by heading home Josh Robson’s exquisite cross. The young Black Cats ploughed through the gears in the second period and added a third when Honeyman’s tirelessly efforts came to fruition as his snapshot nestled into the bottom corner on the hour mark. Sunderland’s fine start rolled on…
Tuesday 6 September – Rochdale 1-1 Sunderland – Checkatrade Trophy
A spirited display from a youthful Sunderland side embarking in their first Checkatrade Trophy venture ended in heartache as Rochdale won on penalties. Unsurprisingly Dale started on the front foot and fashioned the game’s first opening as Peter Vincenti saw his back-post header save by Stryjek. Maja was then denied by the linesman’s offside flag before Ian Henderson’s right foot gave Sunderland an early warning as his fierce drive arrowed into the side netting. The Black Cats struck back and raced into an early lead after the restart through Elliot Embleton. The 17-year-old fired home a delightful strike, his first of the season, from the edge of the post to silence a vocal home crowd. However, Sunderland’s lead didn’t last long as Henderson’s experience paid dividends as he was well-placed to tap home a free-kick which flashed across goal. Rochdale continued to plug away but Sunderland were resilient until the end and forced the game to a penalty shootout. Misses from Honeyman and Tommy Robson handed the hosts the initiative before Stryjek gave Sunderland a glimmer of hope following a fine save from Harrison McGahey’s spot-kick.
Tuesday 13 September – Everton 0-1 Sunderland – PL2
While goals rained in against Southampton prior to the international break, Welsh orchestrated another scintillating display against Everton to move top of the Premier League 2. The young Black Cats were under the cosh for large spells as Everton’s Kieran Dowell sent number of efforts fizzing towards Sunderland’s goal early on. Max Stryjek proved tough to beat in goal while Rees Greenwood and George Honeyman saw efforts blocked at the other end in an action packed game at Goodison Park. But with 71 minutes on the clock George Brady came up from the back to head Sunderland into a narrow lead, and end the Toffee’s unbeaten start to the season and extend the Lads’ winning streak to three games.
Sunday 18 September – Sunderland 2-4 Manchester City – PL2
Paolo Fernandes proved too hot to handle as Manchester City inflicted Sunderland’s first defeat of the season on them. The visitors went in front on 18 minutes when Fernandes arrowed a fine strike from 25-yards into the top corner. Chances came and went for Sunderland as they battled back but Fernandes dealt a knockout blow just before the break as he doubled City’s lead with another sumptuous strike from range. Rees Greenwood halved the deficit on the hour mark before Lukas Nmecha restored City’s two-goal cushion from the penalty spot 10 minutes later. To Sunderland’s credit they kept battling and Elliot Embleton set-up a grandstand finish with a goal on 79 minutes. But City held firm and dealt with the Black Cats onslaught and Nmecha headed home in stoppage time to round off a fine display from the visitors.
Sunday 25 September – Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland – PL2
Danny Ings scored a brace as Liverpool earned their fourth straight Premier League 2 win at the expense of Sunderland. The Reds dominated throughout but had to wait until the second period to make the breakthrough as Ings provided a poachers finish. Ings then doubled the hosts’ advantage on 64 minutes with a looping header. The visitors were tireless throughout but fell behind further when Trent Alexander-Arnold rammed the ball past Stryjek’s near post to seal all the points at Prenton Park.
Friday 30 September – Cardiff City 1-1 Sunderland – PLCup
Sunderland opened their Premier League Cup account with a point in South Wales. Jamie Bird struck a stoppage time leveller to earn Cardiff City a share of the spoils after Joel Asoro had given the Lads the lead on 76th minutes.
Other news
Asoro's fine start to the season saw him make his Premier League bow against Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light. The forward's efforts were then rewarded further as he featured in the EFL Cup against Shrewsbury Town and Queens Park Rangers. The latter also saw Maja make his first-team debut as the Lads came from behind to win 2-1 at Loftus Road.
