Sunderland U23 2-1 Everton U23
Luke Molyneux scored twice as Sunderland under-23s moved to within a point of safety in the Premier League 2.
In what was a game of few chances, two moments of brilliance from Molyneux were vital as they meant David Henen’s late goal proved to be a mere consolation.
STOPPER SWAP
Elliott Dickman made five changes to the team that suffered penalty heartache just five days ago. James Talbot came in for Max Stryjek while Alex Storey and Jacob Young replaced Brendan Galloway and Brandon Taylor in defence. Owen Gamble was drafted into the middle of the park while Lee Connelly replaced Lynden Gooch up top.
SCENESETTER
Four points. That’s what separated the Black Cats from safety at kick-off today as the race for survival in the Premier League 2 intensified. With just 12 points to play for, Dickman’s men knew the size and importance of today’s test with Everton, who looked to keep alive their faint hopes of defending their champions crown in the league.
ALL BLUE
And with both sides battling for different reasons in their league season, it was Everton who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the opening stages. Antony Evans drew a save from Talbot inside the first minutes before Henen drilled an effort over from range. Talbot could then only watch as a headed nestled on the top of the net as Everton’s pressure seemed relentless.
RIGHT OUT OF THE TOP
But Sunderland did well to get to grips with the Toffees frontline. Talbot looked assured between the sticks while Elliot Embleton began to run proceedings in the middle. And as the chances dried up for Everton, the Black Cats sunk their claws in on 29 minutes as they switched the play from left to right. Molyneux collected, touched the ball inside of Michael Collins on the edge of the box, and then bent a fine effort into the top corner and beyond the reach of Mateusz Hewelt to give the lads a half-time lead.
AT THE DOUBLE
Mumba’s introduction at the break seemed to give the lads a spring in their step at the start of the second 45. The 16-year-old looked assured with the ball at his feet as he shifted it out to Owen Gamble on the right. He rolled it down the touchline where Molyneux collected, skipped inside past two and then curled home a sumptuous second to breathe life into his side’s season.
KEEPING IT CLEAN
It was a lead that meant so much. Putting the lads to within a point of safety, Talbot was rarely tested in goal, clutching onto Evan’s effort from distance before Bassala Sambou screwed an attempt across goal. Young, a second-year scholar, looked calm and composed each and every time the ball came near him. Either with his head or with his feet, Young oozed confidence while Mumba offered a calming presence in midfield alongside Embleton’s flare.
GRAND FINISH
Everton’s persistence and patience paid off, though. Henen hooked home a right-footed finish, beating Talbot at his near post on the 81st minute, to set-up a grand finale on Wearside. But. Sunderland did well to shut up shop and prevent Everton from taking anything back to Merseyside.
Sunderland U23: Talbot, Robson (Mumba, 45), Hume, Embleton, Storey, Young, Molyneux, Gamble (Brotherton, 86), Shields, Connelly, Kimpioka (Diamond, 62)
Subs: Patterson, Kokolo
Everton U23: Hewelt Markelo (Bramall, 59), Collins (Lavery, 59), Denny, Astley, Gibson, Evans, Hornby, Sambou, Henen, Bowler (Mapala, 78)
Subs: Hilton, Ouzounidis