Sunderland U21s 4-2 PSG U21s | Match Report

Jack Whittaker’s first-half hat-trick fired Sunderland U21s to a dominant 4-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League International Cup, maintaining their unbeaten start to the competition.

Whittaker struck three times in 43 minutes before captain Ben Kindon added a fourth in the second half, as Matt Craddock’s side secured all three points against a strong PSG outfit.

Sunderland named three  first-team players in their starting XI, including Melker Ellborg and Aji Alese, who both played the full 90 minutes, and Alan Browne who made his way in the second half.

The hosts made an immediate impact, taking the lead in the opening minute through Whittaker’s close-range finish following a scramble inside the PSG penalty area.

However, the visitors responded just two minutes later as Noa Bezeme cut in from the right wing before shifting the ball onto his preferred left foot and firing home.

Whittaker restored Sunderland’s lead in the 23rd minute, linking up with Proctor once again as the midfielder registered his second assist of the evening.

PSG’s Jarrell Paisley had the ball in the net just minutes later in what looked to be their second equaliser of the evening, but the linesman’s flag was raised.

The pendulum then swung the wrong way as far as the visitors were concerned, as Sunderland doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through a stunning Jack Whittaker strike from the edge of the box, completing his hat-trick in just 43 minutes.

The fourth goal arrived just two minutes later, courtesy of Sunderland skipper Ben Kindon, who slotted home from six yards after Vignaud was unable to get back into position.

At 4-1, with less than 15 minutes of the 90 to play, the game looked to have had its final goalmouth action. PSG though, did claw one goal back through Noa Bezeme in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time. The number nine was not to know much about it, however, as the ball pinballed around the penalty area before eventually going in off his shoulder.

Sunderland dominated proceedings at the Stadium of Light against a strong Paris Saint Germain side, seeing them now go unbeaten throughout their first two games in the competition.

Matt Craddock’s side will be looking to take that form into the PL2, having suffered defeat in each of their last two matches against Blackburn and Newcastle respectively.

The U21s return to EFL Trophy action on November 24 as they are set to take on Salford at the AIG Stadium.