Exactly what happened and who impressed as Sunderland under-23s reach play-off final with Stoke City victory
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats’ second string have enjoyed a remarkable campaign and finished their regular season in fifth place in Premier League 2 Division 2.
That meant Elliott Dickman’s side now head into the play-offs where they will face a Stoke City side who finished second in the league – with the winners going on to face either Wolves or Crystal Palace in the final.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad2,000 fans are set to attend the game as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
Sunderland are likely to include the likes of Josh Hawkes, Dan Neil and Oliver Younger in their squad, while Lee Johnson could opt to use the clash as an opportunity to hand minutes to some returning first-team players.
We’ll be providing lupdates from the clash at the Bet365 Stadium throughout the evening, with team news, analysis and more from the play-off game.
FT: Stoke City 0-2 Sunderland U23 (Hawkes 57, Younger 66)
Key Events
- Sunderland travel to Stoke City in their Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off (7pm kick-off),
- Elliott Dickman is likely to include the likes of Josh Hawkes, Dan Neil and Oliver Younger in his side.
- Team news is expected at 6pm.
32 - Stoke seeing plenty of the ball now
But Patterson is still yet to be seriously tested in the Sunderland goal.
The Black Cats are holding strong at the back with Younger and Almond at the heart of the defence looking solid.
36 - SAVE!
Patterson makes his first stope of the evening - and it’s a fairly comfortable one.
Wright-Phillips floats in a cross from the right flank which James-Taylor meets with a glancing header.
It lacks power though, and Patterson is able to dive to his right and hold with minimal fuss.
39 - It’s a tight game here...
But the same can’t be said about the other semi-final - where Crystal Palace are already 2-0 up!
42 - Half-time approaching
And Sunderland are finishing the half on the front foot.
Chances still remain at a premium but the Black Cats are looking comfortable - if not incisive - in possession.
HT: STOKE CITY 0-0 SUNDERLAND
A game of few chances, and it’s perhaps no surprise it’s goalless at the interval!
Here’s what our man at the ground made of the first half:
The second half is just moments away!
Stoke are back on the field first, with Sunderland not far behind.
Stick with us for updates of the second half!
45 - Aaaaaaaand we’re under way again!
Stoke get the second half started!
There’s been no changes for either side at the break.
46 - An early chance for Stoke!
Jones delivers a great cross which is begging for a touch, but evades everyone.
Hawkes then counters and draws a foul from Coates, who is booked.
51 - Great defending from Almond there
As they did in the first half, Stoke have begun brightly following the kick-off.
And a dangerous ball from the right flank looked set to cause chaos after a well-worked move, but Almond bravely blocked the eventual shot from James-Taylor with a superb piece of defending.