Port Vale 1 Sunderland AFC 2 RECAP: Josh Hawkes and Aiden O'Brien goals see Cats progress in Carabao Cup after partial floodlight failure
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The Black Cats boss made eight changes to his side following the weekend’s 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic in League One, as seveval younger members of the squad received an opportunity to impress against the League Two side.
Goals from Josh Hawkes and Aiden O’Brien, from the penalty spot, saw the visitors progress before Port Vale striker Jamie Proctor pulled one back for the hosts midway through the second half.
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RECAP: Port Vale 1 (Proctor, 67) Sunderland 2 (Hawkes, 40) (O’Brien, 49)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Younger, Flanagan, Wright, Taylor, O’Nien, Neil, Hawkes, Diamond, Pritchard, O’Brien
- Subs: Burge, Doyle, Evans, Gooch, McGeady, Grigg, Stewart
- Port Vale XI: Stone, Jones, Walker, Legge, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson, Benning, Proctor, Pett
- Subs: Gibbons, Hurst, Johnson, Martin, Amoo, Cass, Bailey
One to watch - Devante Rodney
Port Vale started with a 3-5-2 system in their game against Northampton at the weekend.
Devante Rodney was the club’s top scorer last season with 13 goals in all competitions.
Rodney started alongside former Manchester United striker James Wilson on Saturday.
Wilson joined the club from Salford this summer.
Darrell Clarke on Sunderland clash
On team selection: “I think I have 21 good contracted players at the club, so I don’t see it that way.
“There will be changes but, for me, the lads have got to come in and want to win the game.
“We haven’t got young lads as such have we? We have lads that have plenty enough experience to be able to come in and perform.”
On facing Sunderland: “Yes, big reputation. League One, but Sunderland were in the Premier League. But Lee Johnson is a talented manager and I am sure he will get them heading in the right direction.
“But it just goes to show, it doesn’t matter what your name is, it is still eleven men v eleven.
“You can still have the biggest support base - which Sunderland have, they have a Premier League support base but they are still in League One.
“Until they earn the right to get out of League One, it is all immaterial.”
How the opposition are shaping up
Port Vale lost their League Two opener at Northampton on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Sixfields Stadium.
The Valiants also had goalkeeper Lucas Covolan sent off, meaning he will be suspended for tonight’s game.
Manager Darrell Clarke is also expected to make changes for tonight’s cup match.
Lee Johnson on Port Vale team selection
Here’s what Johnson said at the weekend about tonight’s game.
“We want to win the game, so it’s about getting that balance between being competitive and resting people who might need it.
“It’s not so much about the key players or the names but the minutes, obviously Aiden had his knee injection recently as people know.
“At the same time, I know what Aiden is like and the best way to get him fit is to keep him ticking over and keep getting him some minutes.
“But we’ll have a look at him, Corry Evans, Ross Stewart, but obviously we have got players and particularly young players who can come in.
“I’ll speak to all our specialists and take the decisions from there.
“It’s a game we want to win because we want that winning culture.
“We want to focus on the league, there’s absolutely no doubt at that. I think that last year the cup win was really big for us, but we really must prioritise the league in every action that we do this year.”
Expect changes
Lee Johnson hinted on Saturday he may rest the likes of Aiden McGeady, Ross Stewart and Corry Evans for tonight’s match.
We can probably expect the likes of Will Grigg, Aiden O’Brien and Bailey Wright to get some game time.
Defender Oliver Younger and midfielder Josh Hawkes are also likely to be involved, while full-back Kenton Richardson could also be given a chance.
