Sunderland U23 1-1 Manchester United U23
Benji Kimpioka looked to have scored the goal to give Sunderland under-23s their third victory of the season against Manchester United, but the hosts were pegged back in the final 10 minutes and had to settle for a draw.
The Black Cats’ goal came in the 36 minutes after some great work from Jack Diamond led to Kimpioka firing into the bottom corner.
The visitors were able to grab an equaliser in the final 10 minutes that their play probably deserved through Largie Ramazani.
A draw stopped United’s run of four straight defeats while leaving the Black Cats at the foot of the table.
Sunderland dominated the early proceedings and nearly took the lead through Kimpioka who fired an effort wide after some poor play from the United midfield.
On 19 minutes, United felt that they could have had a penalty as Josh Buliui was involved in a collision with Sunderland stopper Max Stryjek.
15 minutes later, United should have taken the lead as Ramazani hit a pinpoint cross onto Nishan Burkart’s head, but he missed the target from six-yards out.
The breakthrough though came for Sunderland on 36 minutes as Diamond intercepted a United pass and fed Kimpioka who finished exceptionally past United stopper Fojticek and into the bottom right corner to give Sunderland a 1-0 lead at the break.
Burkart had the first shot on target for United in the 55th minute as he fired from range at Stryjek who was able to gather the ball with ease.
The visitors continued to apply pressure and were nearly rewarded as Ramazani forced the Sunderland defence into a mistake with 63 minutes on the clock.
He played in Buliui who should have made more of his opportunity, but the home side were able to defend the dangerous situation.
Moments later, United nearly got their equaliser as Burkart broke down the right side, but his effort was wayward and ended up in the side netting.
Elliott Dickman’s side nearly got their second goal on 72 minutes as Kimpioka played in the energetic Diamond, his effort from 20 yards out was heading into the top corner but the United stopper somehow managed to tip it round the post and wide.
Sunderland were to be punished for not getting a second goal in the 81st minute as United got their equaliser. Burkart got down the right channel and played a delicious ball across the box for Ramazani to tap into the open goal.
Both sides had half chances in the final 10 minutes, but neither side were able to conjure up a meaningful effort on goal as the game finished level.
Sunderland U23: Stryjek, Hunter, Young, Neil, Taylor, Bainbridge, Diamond, Connolly, Mbunga-Kimpioka, Mumba, Hume
Subs: Storey, Patterson, Evans, Slack, Leonard
Manchester United U23: Fojticek, Tanner, O’Connor, Erculani, Bernard, Levitt, Burkart, Galbraith, Buliui, Traoue, Ramazani
Subs: Olosunde, Woolston, Warren, McGee
