Charlie Dinsdale starred with a goal and three assists as Sunderland U21s beat Ipswich Town 4-2 in front of Florent Ghisolfi, writes Tom Greaves.

Sunderland U21s made it back-to-back home wins in Premier League 2 with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Ipswich Town on Friday evening at Eppleton.

Charlie Dinsdale was the standout performer, scoring once and creating three more during a superb first-half display from the right flank. Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi was among those in attendance as the academy winger played a direct role in all four Sunderland goals.

Trey Ogunsuyi, Felix Scott and Kay Munyakazi were also on target as Sunderland raced into a commanding lead before the interval. Corbin Mthunzi pulled one back for Ipswich in first-half stoppage time before Josh Pitts added a second almost immediately after the restart.

The young Black Cats went into the game looking to respond to a 5-1 defeat at Brentford in their previous Premier League 2 outing. They had opened their league campaign with an emphatic 5-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest, while Ipswich had also taken three points from their opening two fixtures.

There was little between the sides during the opening stages, but Sunderland took the lead after 20 minutes. Scott drove down the left and delivered across goal, where Dinsdale arrived at the back post to steer the ball into an empty net.

Sunderland doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Dinsdale caused Ipswich problems again down the right before delivering for Ogunsuyi, who converted from close range having been denied by goalkeeper Alex Noonan from a similar position moments earlier. The hosts threatened again when an effort was cleared off the line before Scott made it 3-0. Dinsdale was once more the provider, sending a cross into the area for Scott to fire emphatically into the roof of the net.

There was still time for Sunderland to add a fourth before the break. Dinsdale cut inside from the right and found Munyakazi, who produced the pick of the finishes by curling an excellent effort into the top corner. It completed a remarkable opening 45 minutes for Dinsdale, who had a goal and three assists to his name.

Ipswich did give themselves some hope deep into first-half stoppage time when Mthunzi headed home from a corner, and the visitors reduced the deficit further within a minute of the restart. Pitts beat his man inside the penalty area before finding the bottom corner to make it 4-2.

The visitors pushed for a route back into the game and Sunderland were forced to spend long spells without the ball. The Black Cats did not register their first meaningful attempt of the second half until the closing stages, when substitute Ben Kindon headed over from a corner.

For all Ipswich's pressure, clear-cut opportunities remained limited. Joe Cowan produced an excellent save to turn a header from Jokubas Mazionis onto the post, while Shakil Nicolaou later blazed over when through one-on-one as Sunderland successfully protected their two-goal advantage.

Sunderland's U21s return to action against Norwich City next Friday at Eppleton Colliery Welfare, where they will look to maintain their perfect home record in Premier League 2.