How Aiden McGeady fared on his Sunderland return as under-23 side fall to defeat

McGeady was making his first Sunderland appearance in any guise in almost a year – with the 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion in November 2019 his last senior outing.

The winger is out of favour under Parkinson, and has been away from the public eye since his fall from favour.

But he was a surprise inclusion against a Palace under-23 side who ran-out 4-3 victors at the Academy of Light.

The visitors were ahead with just five minutes on the clock, as Kian Flanagan fired home in what was the first real opening of the game.

Stephen Wearne then had to clear a Robin Street effort on the loan, before Dan Neil saw a long-range effort blocked as Sunderland grew into the game.

And they would restore parity with two minutes of the first half remaining, as Jack Diamond pounced to prod home after Neil’s shot came back off the upright.

But the young Black Cats would fall behind again before the break, as Alfie Matthews’ header saw Palace reclaim the lead.

Sunderland, though, came out the traps quickly in the second half – with McGeady heavily involved.

His chipped cross picked out Diamond at the back stick, with his header coming back off the crossbar, before the former Celtic and Everton winger came close himself with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

A leveller would come on 58 minutes via Mitch Curry, who pinched possession before driving towards goal and finishing.

McGeady would be withdrawn shortly after – replaced by a triallist, understood to be former Tottenham winger Rayan Clarke – before Sunderland found themselves behind once again.

Street fired home with 13 minutes remaining to put the visitors in command, before Brandon Pierrick’s cross took a deflection which saw it fly past Anthony Patterson to give Palace a two-goal cushion.

Triallist Clarke would net a late third for the Black Cats, who saw their fine run of form in Premier League 2 come to an end.

Sunderland XI: Patterson, Wearne, Beaumont, Wilding, Almond, Taylor (Hackett 45), Diamond, Neil, Curry, McGeady (Triallist 61), Steels (Dunne 84)

Subs not used: Richardson, Wombwell

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