Match Report: Sunderland U21 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
Sunderland U21 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
Sunderland U21’s rose to top spot in their group with an assured 2-0 victory over Wolves U21’s in the Premier League Cup on Monday night.
Despite going down to ten men late in the second half, goals from Marshall Burke and Abdoullah Ba wrapped up Sunderland’s 4th victory in a row and gave The Black Cats another three points to put them top of Group D.
Trey Ogunsuyi returned to the side following his international duty with Belgium and Ben Crompton also came back into the starting lineup following a lengthy period on the sideline due to injury.
Daniel Cameron was forced into two impressive saves early on to prevent Wolves taking the lead, however Sunderland shortly got on top with a big chance falling their way. Ogunsuyi almost converted when striking a loose ball in the box but fired just wide.
Sunderland were shortly rewarded for their spell of pressure with a sublime strike from Burke in the 42nd minute sailing past Lewys Benjamin in the Wolves goal and into the top right hand corner.
Ogunsuyi once again had a great opportunity pouncing on a loose ball in the 18-yard-box but fired straight at the keeper. Sunderland were dominant going into the interval.
The Black Cats came out of the break on top once again with Ba forcing Benjamin into a fine save.
Wolves grew into the second half having a few half chances, substitute Flethcer Holman producing a solid save from Cameron in the Sunderland goal.
Ogunsuyi saw himself receive a second yellow card for tapping the ball away during a break in play for a Wolves free kick which added a few nerves into Sunderlands performance. However they were dismissed with the contest wrapped up in the 89th minute thanks to a tidy finish from Ba after a long searching ball sent him one on one with the keeper.
“The win was deserved”: Sunderland U21 captain Harrison Jones told Sportsbyte. “We had plenty chances and didn’t give them many.”
Jones played alongside goalscorer Burke and Ben Middlemas in a dominant midfield for The Black Cats.
“The midfield three have all been together a long time so we all know each others strengths and weaknesses, we all like to play off each other. The connection that we have helps us play through teams.”
Next up for Sunderland U21’s is a trip to Norwich in the Premier League 2. Wolves’ U21s on the other hand, will host high-flying West Ham, who sit 3rd in the Premier League 2 table.
