Gooch: Brace against Magpies felt good

Lynden Gooch admits it felt good to bag a brace against rivals Newcastle and get back amongst the goals.

Sunderland Under-23s were knocked out of the Premier League International Cup at the quarter-final stage, with Newcastle winning 11-10 on penalties on Wednesday, but Gooch caught the eye.

Newcastle took the lead through Curtis Good before a Gooch brace put Sunderland in command.

Gooch celebrated his first goal by cupping his ear to the 400-strong Newcastle fans situated in the South Stand at the Stadium of Light, before kissing the Sunderland badge.

Callum Roberts’ 90thminute free-kick forced extratime before Newcastle won a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

On his celebration, Gooch said: “It’s just banter, isn’t it?

“That was good and felt good. You always want to score against them.”

Gooch, who hasn’t played for the first team since the end of January, was pleased with his impact at the Stadium of Light but sad to depart the competition at the quarterfinal stage.

Gooch added: “I was pleased with my performance and it’s nice, on a personal note, to get a couple of goals, but I’m gutted we didn’t win.

“We always want to beat Newcastle if we can, but, on a personal note, it was great to those minutes and goals as well.”

Under-23 coach Elliott Dickman praised Gooch, adding: “Lynden did great.

“He’s maybe a bit frustrated that he isn’t in the first team, but he’s shown that he’s capable of doing a job, but it’s difficult to get into the first team.”