Sunderland U21s played out a 1-1 draw with local rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon.
The Black Cats took the lead partway through the second half when full-back Tom Lavery headed home a Harrison Jones corner, but the visitors levelled things up at the Academy of Light less than 10 minutes later.
Friday’s contest was also notable insofar that it marked a return to action for senior defender Aji Alese, who registered 45 minutes for Graeme Murty’s development side before a planned substitution at the interval. Here’s how he, and the rest of Sunderland’s side, rated...
1. Ben Metcalf
Started in goal for Sunderland and produced a superb early save to keep the scores level. He commanded his area extremely well in the first half and could do nothing about Newcastle’s equaliser in the second. Good display from the young goalkeeper. 8 | Sunderland AFC Photo: Sunderland AFC
2. Jenson Jones
Was unusually sloppy from left-back in the first half but improved significantly after the break, as did Sunderland as a whole. He became a real threat going forward, overlapping well down the left. 7 | Jenson Jones
3. Ben Kindon
Started centrally alongside Alese and produced a fantastic block in the first half. It was another very sturdy and reliable defensive performance. 7 | Ben Kindon
4. Aji Alese
Returned to action in the heart of defence for his first football at any level since midway through last season owing injury. He helped keep a clean sheet in the first half and looked strong and assured before being withdrawn at half-time as part of a planned substitution. 7 | Stu Forster/Getty Images