Sam Lightle reviews the action from Cobham as Sunderland under-23s earned a valuable Premier League 2 point.
The Black Cats let their lead slip but their valiant efforts ensured they came away a deserved draw.
Ethan Robson opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the half before Reece James and Josh Grant turned the game around with impressive individual strikes.
But Thomas Beadling’s upstaged both their efforts with a thunderbolt that flew past Marcin Bulka and ensured a share of the spoils.
TEAM NEWS
Andrew Nelson returned to lead the line for the Black Cats after missing the lads’ Checkatrade Trophy match at Scunthorpe United. Owen Gamble started at full-back following his eye-catching efforts at Glanford Park while Joel Asoro featured also. Rees Greenwood started for the second time this season after recovering from injury.
TO THE ACTION
It took a little over five minutes for the visitors to threaten with the opening chance as Elliot Embleton slid a pass forward for Robson but the midfielder was shepherded away from danger for a corner, which came to nothing. Musonda then fashioned the first opening for the Blues moments later, the Belgian feeding Christie-Davies down the right before goalkeeper James Talbot raced out to save with his feet as the angle narrowed.
GOALS…
Sunderland managed to eventually find a way through with 25 minutes played. Sloppy play from the visitors saw the lads steal in and win it back, Rees Greenwood’s effort was saved by Bulka but Robson wasn’t to be denied on the follow up and his effort into the ground looped kindly over the keeper and into the back of the net. Chelsea reacted well to going a goal down, and managed to overturn the scoreline in just 10 minutes. Grant advanced from left wing-back and teed up Christie-Davies, whose saved strike rebounded out for James to thump a drive into the far corner. Four minutes later, it was 2-1 to Chelsea. Christie-Davies was involved again as he combined neatly with Grant on the left before the defender bent his effort into the far side of the goal, leaving Talbot beaten.
BOLT FROM THE BLUE
Sunderland had to dig in until half-time as the Blues came on strong and really looked to add to their advantage. Christie-Davies had a right-footed shot saved before Brandon Taylor blocked from Maddox. Talbot then made an excellent double save to keep out Maddox from close range. But the midway interval provided a swing in momentum as Sunderland came out in the ascendancy. Bulka produced a fine save down to his left to push away Embleton’s effort. However, the Polish stopper could do nothing to keep out the equaliser on 72 minutes remaining. A short corner found its way out to Beadling on the left of the box and the defender crashed his strike into the top corner via the angle of post and crossbar. Sunderland leave Cobham with a share of the spoils.
Chelsea U23s: Bulka, Chalobah (St Clair 68), Nartey, Clarke-Salter, James, Sammut (Ampadu 80), Musonda (c), Grant, Maddox (Hudson-Odoi 62), Muheim, Christie-Davies
Unused subs: Russell, McCormick
Sunderland U23s: Talbot, Gamble, Hume, Bale, Taylor, Beadling (c), Asoro (Molyneux 68), Robson, Nelson (Diamond 90+2), Embleton, Greenwood
Unused subs: Storey, Woud, Allan