Sunderland youngsters set to face off against Spurs in PL2 final

Sunderland U21s have found themselves in the Premier League 2 final where they will travel down to North London to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Graham Murty will have his eyes set on lifting the trophy in the opposition’s back garden who finished the league season top of the table.

We look at Sunderland’s run to the final which has been an eventful one, to say the least

Round of 16 Sunderland U21s 4-1 Wolves U21s

After finishing seventh in the regular season, Sunderland faced Wolves at Eppleton Coillery in their round of 16 clash and it was the visitors that struck first.

Conceding on the stroke of half-time, Sunderland had it all to do but four second-half goals from Ben Middlemas, Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi, Tommy Watson and Tymur Tutierov gave the Black Cats a convincing victory in the end.

Caden Kelly was one of Sunderland’s star performers getting three assists as Sunderland set up a quarter-final clash with West Ham.

Quarter Final Sunderland U21s 3-3 West ham U21s (5-3 on pens)

Sunderland came into the quarter-final against a strong West Ham outfit who finished second in the regular season and meant business when they took the lead just before half-time.

The Black Cats weren’t down and out though as a goal in the 84th minute from Elis Taylor sent the game to extra time.

Sunderland again found themselves behind with 15 minutes to go but up-stepped Caden Kelly to bring the sides level again with 10 minutes left to go. A penalty conceded from Oliver Bainbridge made it look like for sure they would go behind for a third time but the post denied the Hammers the lead but only for four minutes as a goal three minutes from full time was almost certain of a West Ham win.

Sunderland’s never say die attitude once again got them out of jail with a Tommy Watson goal bringing them to penalties, where the Black Cats came out on top to set up a semi-final with Reading.

Semi Final Reading U21s 2-3 Sunderland U21s

Graham Murty’s side would do well to top the excitement of the quarter-final and they did just that.

An Elis Taylor double gave the Black Cats a 2-1 lead heading into the second half but two goals in quick succession with 15 minutes to go put Sunderland into a familiar position needing a goal to bring it to extra time.

In the 99th minute, Taylor struck again to complete his hat trick from the depths of despair and kept Murty’s side in the cup for another 30 minutes at least.

Sunderland yet again seemed destined for penalties but up-stepped Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi in injury time to send the Black Cats to North London for the chance at silverware against Spurs.