Sunderland U23 0-5 Chelsea U23
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a hat-trick as Sunderland under-23s endured a tough afternoon on home soil.
Ike Ugbo opened the scoring after just two minutes before Hudson-Odoi seized control of the game scoring once - with Ethan Ampadou adding another - before the break.
Hudson-Odoi then scored a second-half brace to seal Sunderland under-23s’ fate.
YOUTH TEAM TRIO START
Jack Diamond, Benji Kimpioka and Jake Hackett begun the afternoon for the Black Cats as Elliott Dickman looked to blood the next bunch of young talent at the club. With the trio into the final stage of their scholarships at the club, Dickman handed them starting berths against Chelsea as the Black Cats sought a second-straight victory.
JANUARY BLUES
However, with just one point separating the sides in the Premier League 2 table before kick-off, Chelsea slipped through the gears in the opening 45, to ensure that extended to four. Ugbo applied a cool finish from close range after New Zealand stopper Michael Woud parried a venomous effort from the edge of the box before a mazy run from Charly Musonda almost saw the visitors double their advantage with just five minutes played. Fortunately, this time, Woud had strong hands and did well to push the effort away from the danger zone.
ALL BLUE
Sunderland were up against it and struggled to gain a foothold in the match as Chelsea’s backline orchestrated play – slowing things down and choosing the right moments when to pick the tempo up. And as the Black Cats sat off Chelsea, it was no surprise that Hudson-Odoi doubled their advantage on 19 minutes. Again, from close range. The Black Cats battled and showed some grit to fashion a couple of openings – Kimpioka lashed over the from the edge of the box while Diamond’s effort was caressed into Jamie Cumming’s grasp – but the Blues added a third on 33 minutes to undo all Sunderland’s efforts. Ethan Ampadu stroked the ball home, to cap a rampant first 45, from the edge of the box after Dickman’s side failed to clear a corner.
A YARD OFF
Chelsea picked up where they left off after the break. Dickman altered things slightly, with Rees Greenwood introduced for Brandon Taylor while a Blues switch saw Isaac Christie-Davies and Kylian Hazard brought on in replace of Harvey St Clair and Kyle Scott. But despite the changes it did little to affect the outcome, as Hudson-Odoi curled home a fourth and his second of the afternoon.
CLOSING OUT
As the second 45 wore on, Sunderland began to get a feel of the ball. Chelsea relaxed their explosive attacking line but the Black Cats rarely looked like scoring. Elliot Embleton shifted the ball from left to right in an attempt muster something while Hackett did well to pick out Josh Robson’s run in behind as his header tested Cumming. But Sunderland looked extremely out of sorts, and it was no surprise when Juan Castillo went down under Alex Storey’s challenge the referee awarded a penalty. Hudson-Odoi stepped up and calmly sent Woud the wrong way to seal his hat-trick.
Sunderland U23: Woud, Gamble, Robson, Beadling, Taylor (Greenwood, 45), Storey, Diamond (Connelly, 69), Embleton, Kimpioka, Hackett, Allan.
Subs: Brotherton, Talbot, Young
Chelsea: Cumming, Dasilva, Chalobah, Ampadu, Castillo, Sammut (McCormick, 61), St Clair (Christie-Davies, 45), Scott (Hazard, 45), Ugbo, Musonda, Hudson-Odoi.
Subs: Bulka, Nartety.