Sunderland U21s opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a 5-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night – despite a superb hat-trick from striker Trey Ogunsuyi.
The 18-year-old celebrated signing a new contract at the club by producing a sensational individual display at Eppleton, but Graeme Murty’s side were undone by a ruthless Spurs attack that raced into an early lead and never truly looked back.
Jay Matete, who started in last week’s 3-2 comeback win over Scunthorpe in the National League Trophy, was not involved. The 24-year-old’s absence will inevitably raise further questions over his future, with senior head coach Régis Le Bris having already confirmed that the midfielder can leave this summer.
His omission may indicate that a deal is edging closer. By contrast, Ian Poveda started and impressed, suggesting his own exit is not imminent. Interestingly, the game was watched by Shrewsbury Town manager Michael Appleton, sparking speculation about potential loan interest in Sunderland’s youngsters.
Murty’s line-up showed several changes from the team that featured in Lincolnshire, with Jenson Jones starting in defence and Timur Tutierov joining Poveda, Jack Whittaker and Ogunsuyi in attack. Ben Middlemas captained the side. Tottenham started brightly and went ahead after just nine minutes when Tylan Thompson’s cross was converted by Oliver Irow.
Seconds later, Sunderland goalkeeper Isaac Allan conceded a penalty, and Irow made no mistake from the spot to double the lead. The visitors extended their advantage midway through the half when Dante Cassanova struck to make it 3-0.
Sunderland gradually grew into the game and finally threatened in the 38th minute as Whittaker and Middlemas tested Spurs goalkeeper Luca Gunter. Moments later, they pulled one back, Poveda slipping a clever ball through for Ogunsuyi to finish confidently. After the break, Ollie Bainbridge was forced off injured and replaced by Archie Lightfoot before Spurs struck again, Luca Williams-Barnett restoring their three-goal cushion.
Ogunsuyi, however, was not finished. He pressed high to nick the ball from a Spurs defender before rifling home his second, making it 4-2. Murty made further changes as Timur Tutierov and Marshall Burke were replaced by Felix Scott and Jaydon Jones. Sunderland’s persistence was rewarded when Poveda again picked out Ogunsuyi, who completed his hat-trick with a composed finish to make it 4-3.
It capped a brilliant personal month for the striker, who recently committed his future to the club, and briefly gave Sunderland hope of an unlikely comeback. But Spurs had the final say. Substitute Rio Kyerematen struck late to make it 5-3, ensuring Sunderland’s spirited fightback ended in defeat as Jaydon Jones was sent off for Sunderland for a late tap on Tottenham’s goalkeeper.
Here, James Copley rates every Sunderland player during their Premier League 2 clash against Tottenham Hotspur U21s at Eppleton CW:
9. Ian Poveda
Ian Poveda was deployed on the right-hand side of Sunderland's attack. Looked very bright during the opening stages despite the home side falling behind quickly in the game. Came up with a superb assist for Ogunsuyi to hand the Black Cats hope in the first half. Looked busy in the second stanza and assisted Ogunsuyi's third goal with a lovely pass. 9 | Getty Images
10. Timur Tutierov
Timur Tutierov took up his usual left wing spot in the first half and looked a real threat, carrying on his good form for the first team during pre-season without finding that clinical edge his team needed. Another who worked extremely hard. 7 | Ben Cuthbertson
11. Trey Ogunsuyi
Trey Ogunsuyi started up front through the middle for Sunderland in the first half. Did well on multiple occasions to hold up the ball under pressure and draw fouls. Took his chance well for Sunderland's first goal with a tidy finish. Did incredibly well to pull another back for the Black Cats in the second half, nicking the ball and slotting home to make it 4-2. The finish for his hat-trick to make it 4-3 was even better! A seriously impressive performance. Unreal and unplayable at times. 10 | Frank Reid
12. SUB: Felix Scott
Felix Scott came on in the second half and looked very lively during his cameo, winning fouls in good areas. The attacker is extremely direct with his running. 7 | Photo courtesy of Sunderland AFC.