City Under-18s suffer home defeat to Sunderland

Sunderland’s Thomas Watson came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when his effort struck the post.

The game then burst into life after the interval with three goals in the first eight minutes of the second half.

Ben Creamer put the Black Cats ahead before Farid Alfa-Ruprecht equalised only for Chris Rigg quickly restore Sunderland’s lead.

Trey Ogunsuyi then made it 3-1 from the spot on 73 minutes.

WHAT HAPPENED 

City started on the front foot, and Divine Mukasa found space early on. Full of confidence after scoring against Liverpool last week, he forced Matthew Young to make a diving save.

It was then Sunderland’s turn to attack. Rigg worked his way into a shooting position but pulled his shot just wide.

The away side continued to ask questions, and they nearly went in front after Watson dribbled through a sea of blue shirts and shot against the post. Rigg then saw his effort blocked, and Watson let fly but Jack Wint was equal to it.

Towards the end of the first half, City reasserted their authority in possession. Dan Batty aimed for the far corner and his effort deflected inches wide.

Sunderland were in front just three minutes into the second half through Creamer who was alive in the box to smash in low and hard first time.

However, the lead was short lived. Seb Naylor teed up Alfa-Ruprecht to drill home the equaliser and his third of the season.

The Black Cats regained the lead shortly after though when a chance fell the way of Rigg on the edge of the box, and he clinically took it as the ball zipped across the surface and into the net to make it 2-1.

City responded well again by pressing forward. Alfa-Ruprecht dribbled 50 yards but fired over at the end of it, and Matty Warhurst headed over.

Referee Arran Williams awarded Sunderland a penalty with Stephen Mfuni adjudged to have fouled Ogunsuyi inside the area.

Ogunsuyi converted his spot kick, sending Wint the wrong way.

Joe Neild almost made it 4-1 late on as his thunderous strike crashed against the bar, but the visitors maintained their two-goal advantage to collect three points in what was an uncharacteristically disappointing afternoon for Wilkinson’s side.

HOW WE LINED UP

Jack Wint started in goal, and in front of him Jacob Wright, Harrison Parker, Stephen Mfuni, Dan Batty formed the defensive rearguard.

It was a midfield trio of Femi Fapetu, Dan Batty and Divine Mukasa

Matty Warhust spearheaded the attack, with Farid Alfa-Ruprecht to the right of him and captain Ashton Muir to the left.

City: Jack Wint, Jacob Wright (Ezra Carrington 46’), Harrison Parker, Stephen Mfuni, Dan Batty (Brooklyn Nfonkeu 84’), Femi Fapetu (Charlie Gray 61’), Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, Divine Mukasa, Ashton Muir, Matty Warhurst

Unused Subs: Spike Brits, Tyrone Samba

Sunderland: Matthew Young, Thomas Lavery, Fin Holcroft, Luke Bell, Jenson Jones (Ivan Struck 46’), Jaydon Jones (Joe Neild 46’), Chris Rigg, Ben Creamer (Arun Chungh 92’), Josh Robertson, Thomas Watson, Trey Ogunsuyi (Daniel Obolo 94’)

Unused subs: Monty Conway

WHAT IT MEANS 

Defeat means we stay third in the table and two points behind second-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

WHAT’S NEXT

Our attention turns to the FA Youth Cup next when the Under 18s travel to Watford on Tuesday 19 December with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 (UK).