Sunderland AFC U23 2-0 Reading U23
Nicky Gyimah scored in his first match since signing for Sunderland as the Lads' Under-23s overcame Reading at Eppleton on Monday night.
Tyrese Dyce added a second late on to seal the three points, as the victory continues an unbeaten start to 2022 for the youngsters, who move five points clear of their opponents in the Premier League 2 Division 2.
With numerous players involved with the first team of late or securing loan moves for experience, more U18 talent were given their opportunity - Caden Kelly, Zak Johnson and Henry Fieldson all playing the full 90 minutes.
Gyimah started on the left-hand side, and wasted no time in opening the scoring just 10 minutes in - making a clever central run and being picked out with an exquisite ball over the top from Harrison Sohna to roll it past Harvey Collins in the Reading goal.
Chances continued for Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor's side, notably a double effort just five minutes following the opener when Dyce's header crashed back off the crossbar, finding Tom Scott whose deflected shot was blocked on the line.
Kelly put in another fantastic display to follow his performance at Leeds United last week, and chased down Collins to win the ball in a similar manner to his goal in the last outing - but on this occasion, chipping an effort just wide.
The Royals' best effort of the half came when Malachi Talent-Ayreetey curled a shot just over Jack McIntyre's crossbar, and the hosts continued their dominance into the second 45 minutes - though not quite at the same intensity with which they began the encounter.
A back four of Johnson, Fieldson, Patrick Almond and Nathan Newall looked comfortable throughout, and Newall was even denied a goal himself when he got in behind and was denied by Collins.
Kelly would later see a strike arrow just wide from an acute angle, just after McIntyre had denied two efforts with strong saves from visiting substitute Harry Furlong.
But the game was sealed two minutes from time, as Dyce found himself unmarked to meet Kelly's delivery after he had beaten his man, making it two and guiding the Lads to a well-deserved win.
SUNDERLAND AFC U23: McIntyre; Johnson, Almond (c), Fieldson, Newall; Sohna, Scott; Kachosa, Dyce, Gyimah (Jones 75'); Kelly.
Subs not used: A. Richardson, Gardiner, Jessup, Bainbridge.