Second-half spirit from young Cats

Sunderland Under-18s fought hard despite going down 2-0 away to U18 Premier League North Division leaders Manchester City on Saturday, writes Neville Pilkington.

A first-half brace of goals by City forward Lorenzo Gonzalez secured a 12th win out of 16 for the unbeaten hosts.

The bottom-of-the-table Black Cats were behind after only four minutes to City’s expensively assembled side, with Gonzalez producing a close-range finish.

Sunderland keeper Michael Woud had to make two great saves to prevent the lead from increasing as City piled on the pressure.

The away defence finally cracked after 24 minutes when Ian Carlo Poveda crossed for Gonzalez to double his tally, crashing the ball into the net.

It was all City for the remainder of the half, but it was a different story in the second period as Sunderland regrouped after the break.

Coach Elliott Dickman made two substitutions, with Jake Hackett and Sonny Best on for Ben Kimpioka and Jacob Young, and there was a distinct improvement for the rest of the match.

The Wearsiders had two good chances to score, with Chris Allan drawing a good save from City keeper Arijanet Muric and then Jack Diamond should have done better but shot wide from a good position.

City saw out the game to finish comfortable winners.

Dickman said: “It was a game of the proverbial two halves – all City in the first, when we were poor.

“But the second half was far more encouraging. We certainly made a game of it and showed good character to come back so well.”

Sunderland are next in action at home to fourth bottom Middlesbrough this coming Saturday, when they will look to avenge a 3-0 away loss.

Wolves’ derby defeat at West Brom means that Sunderland only trail the second-bottom Molineux side by three points going into the final seven games of the season.