First-teamers on show in U23s victory

SUB Denver Hume scored a lastminute winner as Sunderland U23s came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League 2 season-opener at Eppleton.

Elliott Dickman’s side trailed to Kazaiah Sterling’s goal just after the hour, but Ethan Robson seized on a wayward backpass to equalise 20 minutes from time.

And in the final minute of normal time, Hume stepped up to complete the comeback.

Despite a strong Sunderland line-up which contained six firstteamers, the result flattered the Black Cats somewhat.

But boss Simon Grayson, who was watching from the stands with the rest of his coaching staff, will have been pleased with the way the U23s fought to get back into the game. New goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter did well on his first outing since signing as a free agent, while Bryan Oviedo played an hour on his comeback from a calf injury, and Jack Rodwell – who was an unused sub at Bury in the Carabao Cup the previous night – was also given an hour.

Donald Love was also an unused sub at Bury and played the entire 90 minutes for the U23s, while Lynden Gooch – who did make a brief appearance as a sub at Gigg Lane – played 45 minutes.

Papy Djilobodji has not made the matchday squad this season but was given a run-out.

Spurs dominated the first half, took the lead, and could easily have put the game to bed before the break. And when Ruiter cleared his lines under pressure, Oliver Skipp nodded the ball back towards goal where Sterling was on the shoulder of the last man and raced clear of the defence to slot low past the keeper.

And it could been worse for Sunderland just before half-time when a poor backpass from Djilobodji fell short of Ruiter and was intercepted, but Spurs were unable to capitalise.

Sunderland levelled when Robson intercepted a poor backpass midway inside the Spurs half and strode to the edge of the box, before hitting a low shot which beat Austin with the aid of a deflection. And right at the death Hume picked up the ball on the edge of the box before hitting a shot which flew into the bottom corner.