Two late goals completed the turnaround for City. Keke Simmonds’ effort from the edge of the box got us back into the game, before Cole Palmer won it for Gareth Taylor‘s side.
What happened
We kept the ball and controlled the play for the majority of the game, but in such hot conditions, our visitors were understandably reluctant to chase shadows.
Sunderland had a strong defensive shape, and after 20 minutes played and very few chances, we changed to a 4-4-2 formation to try and break through.
Our change in shape almost paid dividends in the first half, after a succession of corners were won in the air by Taylor Harwood-Bellis, only for one to be blocked and the other comfortably saved by Jack Newman.
City tried to play slick passing football in the final third, but against such a deep defence, long-range shots were required - firstly from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and then from Henri Ogunby, though neither were enough to trouble the Sunderland ‘keeper.
We started the second half similarly to how we’d played in the first - with a great deal of the ball, but not too much more than that.
With an hour on the clock, Sunderland caught us on the counter-attack. Mackenzie Dicicco controlled the ball in the City box, before tucking away his first chance of the game to give the visitors the lead.
City almost found an equaliser 15 minutes later. D’Margio Wright-Phillips made progress down the left wing before setting up Felix Nmecha, but the City substitute’s effort was too tame for Newman.
With around ten minutes left Nmecha was causing more problems for the visitors. His curling effort from 25 yards out headed towards the top corner, but Newman athletically prevented the potential equaliser.
A few minutes later, we were back in the game! Keke Simmonds created some space on the edge of the box, before bending a right-footed effort into the bottom corner to make the score 1-1.
In the 88th minute, City scored a second. The ball fell loose inside Sunderland’s six yard box, and Cole Palmer was in the right place to tap the ball home to secure all three points!
How we lined up
Louie Moulden started in goal, shielded by a back three of Timi Sobowale, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Nat Ogbeta, with Yeboah Amankwah and D’Margio Wright-Phillips as very advanced wing-backs. Joe Hodge kept the game ticking in front of the defence alongside Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whilst Cole Palmer, Keke Simmonds and Henri Ogunby led the attack.
Up next
We face Liverpool at the Academy Stadium on Thursday evening in the FA Youth Cup, before returning to league action for our two final games.
