Sunderland AFC Under-21s started the Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-0 win over Norwich City Under-21s.
Ellis Taylor grabbed a goal either half to seal victory. The first came on 13 minutes with a well placed finish following the Bennettte cross. The second five minutes from time, dispatching a penalty won by Michael Spellman.
Tony Mowbray and his staff were in attendance to see a mix of first team and academy lads grab three points in wet conditions at Eppleton.
Ellis Taylor nearly broke the deadlock just eight minutes in. The forward was able to cut in from the right-side and bend an effort towards the bottom corner only to be denied by Reyes.
Just two minutes later, Taylor was involved again as a through ball to Bennette resulted in another effort saved by the Norwich Goalkeeper.
13 minutes in and The Lads took the lead. Great work down the left side from Bennette to find a cross into the area and Ellis Taylor this time made no mistake with a first-time finish.
The hosts should have been level at the 25-minute mark as Welch raced through on goal before playing in Aboh who was denied by a great save from Young.
The Canaries continued to grow into the game early in the second half. Forsyth had an effort just glimpse past the post after dispossessing Chiabi.
Crompton went close to opening his PL2 account with two opportunities in the closing stages. Firstly, heading an in-swinging corner into the arms of Reyes and then firing an audacious effort just wide of the mark from around 25-yards out.
Ellis Taylor had his second in the final moments as the referee pointed to the spot following a foul on Michael Spellman. The 20-year-old slotted past Reyes, sending the Goalkeeper the wrong way.
Despite the continuous pressure from the visitors, Graeme Murty’s side picked up an opening day three points and will next travel to West Ham this Friday for the first away fixture of the season.
Sunderland AFC: Young, Johnson, Crompton, Triantis, Huggins, Rigg (Chiabi 45), Burke (Bainbridge), Jones (Gardner 61), Taylor, Luis Hemir (Spellman 61), Bennette.