Sunderland U21s 1-2 Manchester City U21s: Murty’s side fall to defeat at Eppleton
Sunderland Under-21s fell victim to a late Manchester City winner, as City claimed a 2-1 victory in the Premier League 2 at Eppleton CW on Saturday.
Emilio Lawrence’s goal was levelled by a Harrison Jones goal, before in the closing stages, Oboavwoduo’s strike was enough to earn Man City a vital three points.
⏱️ Defeat at Eppleton.#SAFC | #PL2 pic.twitter.com/UZVD4iDhIc
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) December 6, 2025
Dennis Cirkin started for Murty’s side as he carried on his rehabilitation following a lengthy period of injury, while Jake Waters also led the line after scoring five in his last five.
Sunderland began the game on top and were close to taking the lead in the opening ten minutes. A brilliant defence-splitting ball from Middlemas found Jones in space on the right wing, before he crossed the ball to Tutierov, whose first-time shot was stopped by a great save from Thorsten Brits.
After a period of lacklustre action just before the half hour mark, Metcalf provided two crucial saves to keep the score level.
Lawrence found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but he was unable to beat him at his near post, before Ashton Muir found himself in on goal but Metcalf calmly closed the angle putting it out for a throw-in.
Minutes later, Sunderland found a chance on the break, when Jones won the ball back before playing Walsh in behind, who skipped past the defenders before crossing the ball to Tutierov. However, he was unable to cover the ground and create great contact with the ball and it went narrowly wide of the post.
Manchester City took the lead on the hour mark, when a low-driven cross from Muir was missed everyone in the box and found its way to Lawrence, who calmly passed the ball past Metcalf.
Two goals in two games for Harrison Jones 👊
The midfielder’s fourth U21 goal of the season 👇 pic.twitter.com/4tB9Mh9V6Q
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) December 6, 2025
Five minutes later, Sunderland equalised, when Ethan Moore did well to cross the ball from the by-line, and his powerful cross was cleared, but only off Jones, and the ball rolled into the net.
As Sunderland pressed hard for a winner, City were able to retake the lead, with an outside-of-the-box effort from Oboadvwodou.
Sunderland Under-21s return to action as they travel to Norwich in the Premier League Cup on Friday (7pm kick-off).
