Sunderland U21s were back in Premier League 2 action at Eppleton as they faced Manchester City, looking to build on recent momentum in cup competition and turn performances into league points. The Black Cats came into the game sitting 24th in the table, level on points with Newcastle beneath them and with Liverpool and Nottingham Forest only just ahead, while City arrived 19th after a mixed start to their campaign.
Graeme Murty’s side had shown promising signs in recent weeks, beating Bromley 4-0 in the Premier League Cup and producing standout displays on home soil with wins over Sporting CP and Athletic Bilbao in the International Cup. There was also a league win against high-flying Ipswich Town, plus a 1-1 away draw at Halifax Town, a result that kept qualification hopes alive in the National League Cup and added to a run of confident attacking performances.
Graeme Murty named double-promotion winner Dennis Cirkin at left-back for the meeting with Manchester City, while fellow first-teamer Leo Hjelde missed out. Jake Waters once again led the line, supported by Timur Tutierov and Rhys Walsh out wide. Brothers Harrison Jones and Jaydon Jones both started in midfield alongside captain Ben Middlemas, with Jenson Jones at right back next to centre backs Finlay Holcroft and Ben Kindon, and Cirkin completing the defence. Ben Metcalf was handed the start in goal.
After a goalless first half, Manchester City struck shortly after the restart to break the deadlock. Murty reacted with a double change, bringing on Ethan Moore and Jack Whittaker for Waters and Walsh. The switch had an immediate impact. Moore burst down the right-hand side before his driven cross was deflected into the path of Harrison Jones, who swept home to level the game. It was City’s day, however, with the visitors scoring to again to make it 2-1 on the day.
Here is how we rated each player after the meeting with Manchester City:
9. Rhys Walsh
Rhys Walsh worked hard on the right-hand side of Sunderland's attack but was mostly crowded out during the first half. Played a nice ball across to Tutierov early on, which nearly resulted in a goal. Played an important part defensively and was good off the ball. Tired as the game went on and was subbed. 6 Photo: Andrew McCarroll
10. Timur Tutierov
Timur Tutierov had a few shots from the left in the first half, but no real clear-cut chances of note despite working hard during the opening 45. Was bright in the second, but Manchester City limited him to half-chances. 6 | Ben Cuthbertson
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11. Jake Waters
Jake Waters started up front by himself and did really well to hold the ball and bring others into play during the opening stages. Had a couple of half-chances in the second before being withdrawn in the 63rd minute after working very hard. 6 | Ben Cuthbertson Photo: Ben Cuthbertson
12. Ethan Moore
Ethan Moore came on in the second half for Jake Waters and had an immediate impact, causing chaos from the right-hand side by getting to the byline and squaring the ball across goal, which resulted in a Sunderland equaliser. 7 | Liverpool FC via Getty Images