Jack Whittaker the Sunderland hero as Under-21s beat PSG 4-2 at Stadium of Light
Sunderland earned their first three points in the Premier League International Cup this season, writes Tom Greaves.
Sunderland earned their first three points in the Premier League International Cup this season, beating PSG 4-2 at the Stadium of Light.
A first half hat-trick for Sunderland’s Jack Whittaker and a second half goal from Ben Kindon could only be matched by Noa Bezeme’s two goals at either end of the 90. Matt Craddock's side welcomed first team players Melker Ellborg, Aji Alese and Alan Browne into the starting XI for their second game in the Premier League International Cup this season.
The Black Cats went into the game following on from back to back defeats against rivals Newcastle and Blackburn in the Premier League 2. Last season, in the Premier League International Cup, they finished third, only two points away from earning progression to the knockout rounds. They have reached the final on one occasion but they were comfortably beaten by Porto in 2017. Sunderland men’s head coach, Regis Le Bris attended the game alongside Florent Ghisolfi.
Join the Echo’s WhatsApp SAFC Channel for the latest news, team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join.
The visitors, PSG, have lost their opening two games in the competition 2-1. The game began with two early goals from both sides. A through ball set Tom Proctor in behind after only a minute. He looked to have taken the ball too far but he was still able to prod the ball across to Whittaker at the far post, who passed it into the empty net. Only a minute later, a deflected strike from Bezeme found the back of the net, to see the game level once more.
With 20 minutes played, Sunderland were back in front. A great tackle from Felix Scott found Proctor on the edge of the box. He squared the ball across to Whittaker who blasted it past Arthur Vignaud and into the bottom corner. Just before half time, Sunderland got a third. A quick counter attack saw Whittaker in space on the edge of the box, he cut inside and curled the ball into the top right hand corner to see Sunderland two in front going into the break.
Kay Munyakazi had the first chance of the second half but his first time strike was well over the bar. With 20 minutes remaining Sunderland had a fourth. Proctor’s low freekick around the wall was palmed away by Vignaud. From the corner, Kindon was able to bundle it home - his first attempt was headered off the line but on the second time of asking he found the back of the net.
And with only a minute left to play PSG got their second consolation goal, a clearance from Alese hit Bezeme and rolled into the goal past the despairing Ellborg. From the kick off, PSG had another chance to get on the scoresheet with Ellborg making a triple save to prevent the visitors from closing the score. Sunderland next play Salford in the EFL Trophy on November 24 and in the Premier League International Cup, they play Anderlecht on December 2.
Your next Sunderland read: Luke O'Nien reveals what Sunderland players spotted in footage that helped spark Chelsea turnaround