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.
ET6 - Penalty shouts from Palace!
Street goes down in the box with Younger close behind, but nothing is given.
That would have been veeeeeeeeery soft.
ET14 - A sight of goal for Sunderland!
After some patient build-up, Hackett finds some space to shoot from range.
It’s well-struck, but O’Brien gets the block in.
ET15 - WHAT A SAVE AGAIN!
That’s sublime from Patterson.
Street peels away from his man and looks set to head home, but the Sunderland stopper somehow gets down to keep him out!
ET16 - A change for Sunderland...
OFF: Richardson
ON: Wombwell
And it’s the Black Cats who get the second half started...
ET19 - A BIG CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND!
Almost another moment of magic from Josh Hawkes.
After Harris does well to hold up play Hawkes is able to burst forward and unleash a raking shot from 25 yards - which Webber has to scramble to tip away!
Harris can’t convert the rebound, but that was a huge opportunity for the Black Cats!