Sunderland first-team player Jewison Bennette was withdrawn from Graeme Mury’s starting XI to face Manchester City at Eppleton.
The two sides faced off in the Premier League 2 at Hetton this weekend. Bennette was not involved with Régis Le Bris’ first-team on Friday evening as Sunderland lost 1-0 to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the Championship.
The Costa Rica international was, therefore, named in Murty’s starting XI to face Manchester City when the teamsheets were revealed at 11am. However, Bennette was later withdrawn and replaced by Ukrainian winger Timur Tutierov. The Echo understands the withdrawal was down to illness before the game.
Kelchi Chibueze started in goal for Sunderland with Joe Anderson, Luke Bell, Tom Lavery and Jenson Jones at the back. Elias Lenz, Ben Middlemas and Harrison Jones played in the middle, with Abdoullah Ba and Tutierov in the wings.
Trey Ogunsuyi got the nod up front against Manchester City and netted the Black Cats’ opening goal with a deft finish following Anderson’s through ball before former Coventry City and Cardiff City loanee Josh Wilson-Esbrand equalised with a cracking effort from outside the box.
Sunderland re-took the lead in the second half after Harrison Jones converted Lavery’s pass in from the right-hand side, which Ogunsuyi smartly allowed to pass through his legs, wrong-footing Manchester City’s defence and goalkeeper. In the 72nd minute, Manchester City equalised for the second time seconds after Rhys Walsh replaced Tutierov. Michael Okeke tapped home a simple chance for the visitors to make it 2-2.
Jaydon Jones then replaced Lenz shortly after Manchester City had a goal ruled out for offside before Emilio Lawrence struck the post as the away side looked to take the lead for the first time during the match. City’s endeavour paid off seconds later as the aforementioned Lawrence latched on to a through ball to put his side 3-2 up.
Bell hit the bar towards the end of the game with the ball falling to Ogunsuyi in the box, who perhaps should have done better to level the scores. Manchester City were able to hold onto the win despite some late Sunderland pressure, leaving the Black Cats 13th with 13 points in the Premier League 2. City are now three points ahead of Fulham at the top of the league having played a game more than their closest rivals.
Here, we take a look at how James Copley rated each under-21 player after the game against Manchester City in the Premier League 2:
5. Jenson Jones
Played left-back on the day and did well to support Tutierov. The pair formed a pretty solid unit down the flank. Struggled with the pace of City's wingers at times. 6 Photo: Photo courtesy of Ben Cuthbertson
6. Elias Lenz
Elias Lenz deployed in his favoured midfield spot and the deepest of the three. The German looked tidy on the ball and made some key interceptions during the opening 45. 7 | Elias Lenz
7. Ben Middlemas
Started in the middle three and looked very composed on the ball against a dangerous Manchester City side. Covered a great deal of ground in both defence and attack. 7 | Frank Reid
8. Abdoullah Ba
Hardly had a touch in the first-half and didn't really go looking for the ball from the right-wing. Not as disciplined defensively as Tutierov on the opposite flank. Offered very little in an attacking sense and often shirked his defensive duties, putting pressure on Lavery. Looks like he needs a loan move this January to regain his enthusiasm. 4 | Ian Horrocks