Sunderland U18 1-5 Everton U18
safc.com’s Sam Lightle runs the rule over the young Black Cats’ latest display against Everton.
THE WRAP
It proved to be an afternoon to forget for Sunderland under-18s as they were caught cold by a ruthless Everton side. Anthony Gordon gave Everton a strong start to the U18 Premier League fixture, when the powerful striker found the net twice inside the opening 10 minutes. Manasse Mampala then took centre stage as he netted two quickfire goals shortly before half-time and then completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark.
TEAM NEWS
Inform striker Lee Connelly began the afternoon upfront and was looking hungry to add to his hot-streak of six goals in three games, with Sonny Best and Benji Kimpioka providing support. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, Anthony Patterson once again lined up between the posts for Mark Atkinson’s side.
SLOW START
Everton were hardworking, ruthless and determined. Their flying start caught Sunderland cold and within 10 minutes Atkinson’s side found themselves with an uphill task on their hands. The Toffees netted their first of the afternoon with little over two minutes on the clock when Kane Evans was penalised for a foul on the edge of the area. But there was still plenty of work to be done as Antony Gordon’s clipped free-kick rose and dipped to perfection, leaving Patterson beaten. Sunderland came back into it when Benji Kimpioka’s effort was well saved from the right flank but it didn’t last, and with 10 minutes played the visitors doubled their advantage. Best’s back pass went astray and Gordon pounced, rounded Patterson and calmly rolled the ball home to bag his second of the afternoon.
FRUSTATION MOUNTS
In previous weeks Sunderland had shown a solidarity and a unity that had seen them overcome West Ham United and Stoke City on home soil before a stubborn away defeat at Manchester City provided further cause for optimism. But as half-time approached the visitors only added to the scoreline, through striker Manasse Mampala. A sweeping move saw Mampala stride into the left-hand channel and his precise finish found the far corner as he struck across Patteron’s goal. Everton weren’t finished there, though. Two minutes later, it was 4-0. Mampala notched his second of the afternoon when he capitalised on further sluggish play from the hosts and danced his way through on goal before firing beyond Patterson.
DOUBLE CHANGE
The out of sorts performance from the youth team saw Atkinson make a double change at the midway interval, with Robbie Dunne and Jordan Hickey coming on. However, it did little to change the course of the match as Everton continued to wave forward, netting a fifth through Mampala who sealed his hat-trick with 15 minutes to go. Sunderland did get one back in the closing stages, but it proved to be a mere consolation as Kimpioka latched onto Connelly’s lofted pass and finished well.
Sunderland U18s: Patterson, Howard (Hickey 46), Kokolo, Evans, Edmundsson, Young (Derdali 66), Kimpioka, Hackett, Connelly, Best (Dunne 46), McAughtrie.
Unused subs: Newman, Mumba.