The story of the night as Arbenit Xhemajli steps up Sunderland return in Newcastle United defeat for U23s
and live on Freeview channel 276
The young Black Cats have won just two of their seven league games so far this season but did beat a strong Leeds side in the Premier League Cup last time out.
After reaching the play-offs last season, this campaign has been much tougher for Elliott Dickman’s team, with several players making the step up to the senior side.
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Hide AdSunderland are 13th in the table ahead of the match, while Newcastle are four points above their North East rivals and sit seventh.
The young Magpies won their last game 4-0 as they thrashed Birmingham in the Premier League Cup, while they also beat Middlesbrough 4-1 in their last league fixture.
We’ll have all the build-up, action, analysis and more from the Stadium of Light throughout the evening.
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LIVE: Sunderland U23s vs Newcastle U23s
Key Events
- Newcastle United win with two second-half goals
- Joe White stars in turnaround for the visitors
- Tyrese Dyce had given the hosts a half-time lead with close-range finish
- Arbenit Xhemajli completes 70 minutes on second appearance of comeback
Feisty already...
Ref gives a foul and White trips up a Sunderland player long after the whistle.
Dyce comes in to remonstrate, and sparks a big melee.
He gets a booking, which you have to say isn’t the smartest move.
Five mins played..
So close!
Unreal from Joe Ryder.
He picks up the ball just inside his own half and runs and runs and runs. Through three challenges, into the box.... and just wide.
Great effort.
We’re off
Early set piece for Newcastle but Sunderland clear their lines.
Good header from Richardson on the edge of his own box.
Teams are out!
KO imminent.
The very early signs are that Ethan Kachosa will play RW, Ellis Taylor CAM & Nathan Newall LW in a 4-2-3-1.
Kenton Richardson is the Sunderland captain.
Almost time...
Warm-ups are over and both teams have headed back down the tunnel.
You’d have to make the visitors slight favourites here, given the season so far and the personnel missing for Sunderland.
They’ll need the experience of Xhemajli at the back to shine through. Don’t expect him to play the full 90, but he might look to push on into the second half after successfully playing 45 on his return last week.
Sunderland’s team in focus
Sunderland’s squad is missing some key figures due to the injury issues in Lee Johnson’s senior group.
Will Harris, Stephen Wearne and Ollie Younger are all big players for this side but are expected to be around the squad at Crewe Alexandra tomorrow night.
So it’s a big test for a youthful side, though they’ll be pleased to be able to call upon Ellis Taylor and Harrison Sohna.
A big miss for Newcastle United
It’s a strong Newcastle side but Elliot Anderson will be a big miss.
He’s been on the fringes of Steve Bruce’s senior squad, and is a key player in the U23 group. He picked up a knock last time out and so isn’t involved here.
