Sunderland U23 3-4 Crystal Palace
Sunderland Under-23s played out an entertaining spectacle with Crystal Palace at the Academy of Light on Monday afternoon, but were just edged out in a seven-goal thriller.
Jack Diamond and Mitch Curry scored equalisers either side of half-time as Kian Flanagan and Alfie Matthews twice put the Londoners in front.
Two goals in quick succession provided the killer blow to the young Lads by Palace, as Rob Street smashed in a third with 13 minutes to play, doubled up by Brandon Pierrick’s cross which looked to end up over the goal-line via a Sunderland touch.
Our trialist on the day then came off the bench to tuck away a third for Elliott Dickman’s side, but the visitors held on to secure all three points and end the Black Cats’ three-match winning run.
Sunderland fielded an XI with several changes, Aiden McGeady among those given a starting place. Jack Diamond and Dan Neil also came into the line-up, the latter captaining the side.
Palace imposed themselves early on and started the game in the best possible fashion, taking the lead inside five minutes. Flanagan burst through on the left-hand side of the area following smart midfield work from Malachi Boateng, poking a neat finish into the bottom corner with the outside of his right boot.
Diamond made himself a nuisance on the minds of the Palace players throughout the first half, and struck just wide after his initial strike was blocked by Noah Watson. Neil then saw a left-footed strike denied by another block, this time from Reece Hannam.
Sunderland’s defence had to stay especially alert at times, as the tempo rose towards the end of the half. Street managed to win a second ball inside the box and produced a shot on the turn, which Stephen Wearne did well to head clear on the line.
And it provided a foundation for the Lads to carve out an equaliser, as Wearne picked out Neil’s clever inside run and as the skipper’s shot came back off the post, Diamond was there first to clinically score the rebound.
A smash-and-grab on the brink of half-time however swung it at the break for Shaun Derry’s side, as an unmarked Matthews found space eight yards out to head home for 2-1.
The Lads came out positively for the second half, with McGeady showing glimmers of quality – first chipping in for Diamond whose header came back off the crossbar, and then curling a shot just wide himself from the edge of the area – before he was replaced on the hour mark.
Just prior, though, came a second equaliser. A fantastic piece of pressing from in-form striker Mitch Curry saw him catch hold of a loose ball, before bearing down on goal with remarkable pace and firing a low finish into the net via a touch from goalkeeper Oliver Webber – his third in two games.
The pace of the game continued to rise throughout the second 45, with both sides throwing bodies forward and looking to play some intelligent attacking football. The introduction of Pierrick for Palace was to be the turning point, however, as he played a significant part in tilting the contest the visitors’ way.
Shortly after entering the fray, he got on the end of Flanagan’s cross to cannon an effort back off the post, and this would give the encouragement to Derry’s team that they needed. Four minutes later, Street found himself in on goal from a tight angle, opting for power and smashing it past Anthony Patterson to give Palace the lead for a third time.
And it was four just moments later, when Pierrick beat his man down the left and fizzed in a dangerous square-ball, which looped just over the line via a Bobby Beaumont touch as the defender attempted to clear his lines.
The fourth for the Eagles would prove decisive, but not before Trialist, just on as a substitute, tucked home a neat finish inside the area as Palace failed to clear a corner delivery.
Try as we might, but the Lads just could not muster an equaliser in the five minutes of added time, and following the match must now turn attention to next week’s visit to West Bromwich Albion.
Sunderland: Patterson, Wearne, Beaumont, Wilding, Almond, Taylor (Hackett 46’), Diamond, Neil (c), Curry, McGeady (Trialist 61'), Steels (Dunne 84').
Subs not used: Richardson, Wombwell.