Sunderland U23s v Fulham U23s LIVE: Team news and match updates from Stadium of Light
and live on Freeview channel 276
Sunderland missed out on promotion from Premier League 2, Division 2, via the play-offs last season after losing to Crystal Palace on penalties at Selhurst Park.
Several new arrivals, such as Tyrese Dyce, Harrison Sohna and Ethan Kachosa, could be involved for the Wearsiders, while goalkeeper Jacob Carney is recovering from a finger injury.
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Hide AdLast season’s top scorer Josh Hawkes has progressed to the first-team this summer, yet forwards Benji Kimpioka and Will Harris could feature.
Fulham, managed by former Welsh international Mark Pembridge, finished 10th in the division last season.
Fans are set to be in attendance at the Stadium of Light with Sunderland looking to start the season on a high.
After tonight’s game, the young Black Cats will travel to Burnley next week before facing Norwich at the Academy of Light.
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LIVE: Sunderland Under-23s vs Fulham Under-23s
Key Events
- Fulham edge seven-goal thriller at the SoL
- Will Harris brace twice brings Sunderland back into the game
- Tyrese Dyce header put Black Cats ahead
- Late goals from Bowie and Hilton seal the points for Fulham
- Several new signings feature
Sunderland edged out in thriller
It’s a very harsh defeat for Sunderland.
They played some good stuff and when they went 3-2 up, they looked in control.
Credit to Fulham, who ended he game very strongly. They had a lot of pace and quality in the final third, and in the end that just caught up with Sunderland.
Tough way to start the campaign.
Harris a real positive, as was Stephen Wearne, but he looks to have picked up a fairly nasty shoulder injury.
FULL TIME
Bit of aggro at the final whistle.
Fulham’s fourth came just too late for Sunderland to respond.
GOAL FULHAM
Massive blow for Sunderland, just at the start of added time.
Hilton is allowed too much time and space to turn in the box, and curls an excellent finish into the far corner.
88 mins
Brilliant entertainment here.
Fulham go close when McIntyre scrambles one off the line, before Kelly curls one just wide of the far post at the other end.
85 mins
How has that dropped wide?
Great play from Harris, Steels crosses. It’s a fairly wild swing of the leg from Dyce, but he lobs the keeper and it drops inches wide.
83 mins
That’s an even bigger chance.
Great Fulham break, working its way into the box. Hilton looks certain to score, but it is straight at McIntyre.
81 mins
Fossey gets on the overlap again.
Fires a low cross to the back post, and it’s a decent chance for Larkeche. His volley, though, is wild and well over the bar.
Big chance though.
80 mins
A little better from Sunderland since the goal, with Kelly getting on the ball a bit more.
But at this stage, it’s probably Fulham who look the more likely.