Sunderland U23 0-2 Manchester City U23
Sunderland under-23s produced a spirited display but fell to defeat at Eppleton Colliery Welfare as Manchester City tied up the three points.
First-half goals from Rabbi Matondo and Ian Carlo Poveda saw the Citizens get over the line, but the Black Cats weren’t without their chances in an action-packed night on Wearside.
Read our full match report below…
McNAIR MINUTES
Paddy McNair stepped up is recovery from injury as he clocked his second batch of minutes after struggling with a groin injury over the last few months. The Northern Ireland international made his return last weekend at Exeter City, and followed that up with a 60-minute outing this evening. Bali Mumba, meanwhile, featured on the bench for the first time after impressing in the youth team this season. The youngster, who is still only an under-16, provided Dickman with a versatile option as he can operate in midfield as well as defence.
MOMENT THAT MAT-TERED
Sunderland were bright in their approach. Elliot Embleton made himself busy as he flashed a cross in from the left before sneaking a free-kick under the City wall and into Daniel Grimshaw’s gloves. But despite their opening, the visitors gained the initiative when Matonda stroked the ball home from close range. City worked their way down the right flank well, and when it was swept across there was to be only one winner as the City No.7 pounced.
TWO DOWN
From there City took control of the fixture. Moving it from side to side and making the Black Cats tire before pouncing for a second. And that came with 28 minutes played. Max Stryjek parried a thunderous effort from Javairo Dilrosun away, but City recycled possession swiftly to double their advantage with the next attack. Tom Dele-Bashiru saw his effort cracked the underside of the bar and Poveda was on hand to tap home. City two up and in control at the break.
END TO END
The second 45 provided many different talking points. While City enjoyed a bulk of possession in the first half, Sunderland were much more involved as Jack Diamond began to weave some magic. Connor Shields continued to put his body on the line as he led from the front and that almost paid dividends when he collided with Grimshaw. Moments before, though, Diamond slipped past his man, fed Embleton who strode forward and then spread the play out to McNair only for his low cross towards the near post to be kept out by Grimshaw.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR
But while McNair made way after 62 minutes, for Benji Kimpioka, Sunderland continued to play with a freedom that should’ve seen them get themselves back into the match. Kimpioka scooped an effort towards goal before Shields let fly with a rocket that whistled marginally over. City got to grips with the Black Cats’ attacking line and should’ve put the game to bed when Dilrosun and Marcus Wood’s effort smacked the frame of the goal from distance. Mumba came on for the final stage of the match to make his under-23s debut, but the Citizens saw the match out to tie up the points.
Sunderland U23: Stryjek, Robson, Hume, Gamble, Taylor, Galloway, Diamond (Mumba, 76), McNair (Kimpioka, 62), Shields, Embleton, Hackett (Connelly, 76)
Subs: Storey, Patterson
Manchester City U23: Grimshaw, Garcia, Adarbioyo, Latibeaudiere, Francies, Wood (Diallo, 89), Matondo (Bolton 77), Dele-Bashiru, Gonzalez, Dilrosun, Poveda
Subs: Duhaney, Anderson, Kigbu