Exactly what happened and who impressed as Sunderland U23s beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats beat Stoke City in their semi-final tie last week to set-up a clash against the Eagles at Selhurst Park.
And the two sides will lock horns this evening looking to claim promotion to the top tier of Premier League 2 – joining the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
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Hide AdElliott Dickman will once again be able to call upon the likes of Josh Hakwes, Oliver Younger and Dan Neil for the clash, and Sunderland will no doubt be buoyed by the fact they defeated Palace earlier this season.
So can they repeat the trick on the big stage?
Mark Donnelly will be at the game for the Echo, providing live updates and analysis from the big under-23 promotion showdown:
FT: Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland U23s (Crystal Palace win 5-3 on penalties)
Key Events
- Sunderland’s under-23 side face Crystal Palace in the Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off final this evening
- The Black Cats will gain promotion if they can claim victory at Selhurst Park (7pm)
- Elliott Dickman could call upon a similar side to that which beat Stoke City last week.
Goooooood evening!
And welcome to our live blog!
It’s a big ol’ night for Sunderland’s under-23 side as they face a make-or-break promotion play-off in the capital.
Crystal Palace are the side standing in the Black Cats’ way, with the winners gaining promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1.
Mark Donnelly will be at Selhurst Park for the Echo - and will be bringing you live updates throughout the evening...
Why is tonight’s game at Selhurst Park?
Some people have asked why tonight’s game is taking place at Selhurst Park rather than a neutral venue.
Well there’s a simple answer - the Premier League 2 rules say that the play-off final will be played at the main stadium of the participating club who finished higher during the regular season.
That’s Palace, hence why the game is in the capital!
A rule refresher!
There are some important rules to remember ahead of tonight’s game...
- Both teams can name a goalkeeper aged over 23, plus three ‘over age’ outfield players.
- Trialists can be involved.
- Teams will be able to make three substitutes from five.
- If the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes then the game will go to extra time and penalties if required.
Who could be involved for Sunderland U23s tonight?
Elliott Dickman is expected to call upon a similar side to that which beat Stoke City last weekend.
That means the likes of Anthony Patterson, Oliver Younger, Dan Neil and Josh Hawkes could also be involved.
Trialist Tyrese Dyce also played at the bet365 Stadium last week and may be involved again - although he did leave the fray with a late injury on Monday night.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Richardson, Almond, Younger, Dyce; Hackett, Wilding; Wearne, Hawkes, Neil; Harris
BREAKING: THE TEAM NEWS IS IN!
And here’s how Sunderland’s under-23 side line-up: Patterson; B Taylor, K Richardson, Younger, Almond; Wilding, Hackett; Hawkes, Neil, Dunne; Harris
And on the bench: A Richardson, Trialist (Kachosa), Wombwell, Trialist (Scott), E Taylor
That’s two changes from last week as Brandon Taylor and Cieran Dunne come in for Stephen Wearne and Tyrese Dyce.
Trialists Ethan Kachosa and Tom Scott are once again on the bench.
The two teams are out to warm-up at Selhurst Park
And after torrential downpour a few minutes ago, the sun is starting to appear!
Palace are welcomed onto the field by their home fans - a few thousand fans will be in attendance this evening.