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.
HT: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 SUNDERLAND
All square at the interval, but Sunderland have been excellent.
They’ve had some real chances with Neil curling over from 20 yards in injury time as the visitors ended the half strongly.
45 - Aaaaaand we’re under way again in the second half!
Palace get the ball rolling again as the rain teems down.
No changes at the break for either side.
49 - The first chance of the half falls to Palace...
A fine ball down the right channel sets Street away and he’s into the box.
The striker tries to drill his effort low but it’s wide of the far post, via a deflection off Younger.
53 - CHANCE!
A first opening of the second half for Sunderland!
Dunne bursts into the box and cleverly wins a corner, which is taken by Hawkes.
His delivery is a good one and is met by Richardson, whose header is hacked away by Palace.
55 - WHAT A SAVE!
Superb goalkeeping from Patterson there to somehow keep Palace out!
After Wilding dallied on the ball, Hannam pounced but was twice denied by the stopper.
Then after Sunderland cleared their lines, Patterson did well to hold onto Baghuelou’s long-range drive.
Those two saves from Hannam were sublime, real reflex stuff.
58 - Better from Sunderland...
Some good instinctive forward play from Harris who takes down a long ball and tries the snapshot, but Webber is equal to it.
It’s very much Palace asking the questions at the start of this half though.
