Exactly what happened and who impressed as much-changed Sunderland side edge eight-goal thriller
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A much-changed side fought back well from an early Carlisle penalty, racing into a 4-1 lead midway through the second half.
Two goals for the visitors meant it would prove to be a nervy finish, but a sumptous goal from youngster Jack Diamond on stoppage time sealed the victory.
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Hide AdChris Maguire scored a brace in an impressive return from injury, with Charlie Wyke also getting on the scoresheet.
With an international break looming and the chance to make early inroads in the competition, Parkinson made eight changes but named a strong side full of experience.
There was one disappointment for the Black Cats, with Will Grigg unable to play any part due to a shin injury picked up on Monday.
As expected, Dan Neil and Diamond were given an opportunity to impress, with Brandon Taylor on the right of defence, but otherwise it was established names who were tasked with protecting the club’s unbeaten start to the season.
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Hide AdIn truth they were caught cold early on by a vibrant visiting side, even if it was the Carlisle goalkeeper Magnus Norman who was called into action first after excellent link-up play between Diamond and Max Power.
It was an unusual back three fielded by the hosts, with the inexperienced Taylor on the right and the always versatile Luke O’Nien filling in on the left. A touch uncertainty was perhaps inevitable and Carlisle exploited with a good break just six minutes in. Preston North End loanee Ethan Walker was played onside by Taylor and drew Remi Matthews off his line. It was a race Walker looked set to win from the off, duly beating his opponent to the ball and drawing a penalty. Matthews guessed the right way, but was comfortably beaten by a strong effort from Lewis Alessandra.
It was an unexpectedly strong side from Chris Beech’s side and in truth, they ought to have extended their advantage in the following exchanges.
Matthews had to be alert to palm a stinging effort from Charters clear, after Walker had again wreaked havoc in the Sunderland defence as he burst forward from deep. Chris Maguire then had to be alert to clear a header from Max Hunt off the line.
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Hide AdSunderland were enjoying most of the possession even if they did look vulnerable on the break. Neil looked lively in possession and Diamond was enjoying the freedom to drive forward from deep.
His combination play with Power again came close to yielding a goal when the team captain swung a low effort at the near post just wide.
Carlisle were left to rue their luck when the equaliser arrived, a free-kick from Maguire taking a wicked deflection and leaving Norman with no chance of recovering to clear the danger. Their frustration was compounded when Walker, such an outlet for them in the opening exchanged, hobbled off the pitch.
Unsurprisingly, the Black Cats were beginning to assert control of the game, even if Power had to be aware to clear another good header from Hunt at a corner.
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Hide AdThe pressure told ten minutes before the break, the increasingly influential Maguire combining well with Denver Hume. The youngster showed the composure that is ever improving to turn a low effort past Norman.
Sunderland had grown into the contest strongly, typified by a number of strong interceptions from a George Dobson determined to make his mark after a three-game suspension.
Carlisle had hoped to use the break to reset and though they started the second half with increase in energy, the game was soon all but over as a contest.
Charlie Wyke, who had been quiet in the first half as he looked to make an impression, laid a smart flick-on into the path of Maguire, who shrugged off the attentions of the away defence to finish calmy and precisely.
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Hide AdAfter a tricky opening Sunderland were enjoying the contest, never summed up better than the sight of O’Nien rampaging down the left wing. He was teed up by Hume, who had done superbly to drive down the pitch. His excellent cross was met by Maguire, who was denied a hat-trick only by the width of a post after a deft header across goal.
The attacking midfielder was again at the heart of the action as Sunderland added a fourth with twenty minutes again, though in truth this effort owed much to poor goalkeeping from Norman.
Maguire took aim from distance as he searched for that third goal, but his effort was weak and straight at the goalkeeper. Norman fumbled, though, and presented Wyke with the easiest of finishes.
Carlisle managed to get back into the contest just as it looked to be over; Beech’s side again threatening from a set piece.
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Hide AdThe change in personnel at the back had clearly unsettled the home team in that regard, and substitute Mellish found to easy to get free at the near post. Matthews moved late to try and prevent is low effort, the ball having already crossed the line by the time he was able to get a hand to it.
It ended being a nervy finish when the Black Cats lost possession near the centre circle, with substitute Guy doing well to drive forward and then check his run. He played the ball inside for Mellish who doubled his tally with a stunning finish on his left foot.
Sunderland’s concern was summed up by the introduction of Jordan Willis to protect the lead.
The win was finally secured when substitute Graham did superbly in the box to hold up the play, teeing up Diamond who marked another lively display with an emphatic finish, rifling his effort into the roof of the net.
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Hide AdSunderland XI: Matthews; Diamond, O’Nien, Wright, Taylor (Willis, 83), Hume; Dobson, Power; Maguire, Neil (O’Brien, 74), Wyke (Graham, 74)
Subs: Burge, Younger, Gooch, Grigg
Carlisle United XI: Norman; Tanner, Devine, Hunt, Hayden, Riley, Alessandra, Charters (Bell, 54), Armer, Malley (Guy, 72), Walker (Mellish, 27)
Subs: Dewhurst, Anderton, McDonald, Armstrong
Bookings: N/A