Sunderland U23s win 4-0 at Newcastle United: Benji's brace, big first-team selection hints and a first win since February 2019

Josh Hawkes scored his first goal since arriving from Hartlepool United in the summer, handing his side a precious lead just before half-time.

Benji Kimpioka, playing his first competitive minutes of the season after agreeing a new contract to stay at the club, doubled his side's advantage with a quarter of the game to play.

Left wing-back Cieran Dunne added a third with 20 minutes to go, before a Kimpioka penalty sealed the rout.

The Swedish youth international had earned the penalty himself after being brought down in the box.

The result was all the more remarkable given that Elliott Dickman's side were significantly weakened ahead of the EFL Trophy clash against Carlisle United tomorrow night.

Brandon Taylor and Oliver Younger were not part of the squad, with Phil Parkinson in need of defensive cover.

Connor McLaughlin, Tom Flanagan and Arbenit Xhemajli are all away on international duty, while Jordan Willis is unlikely to play due a knee problem.

“There could be spaces open for one of two of those younger defenders,” Parkinson said.

"We'll have a think about it because there are some senior players who will need 90 minutes before we go into the international break as well.

“We'll pick a team that can take us into that weekend in good spirits.”

The U23s were also without Jack Diamond and Dan Neil, who are expected to stay against Chris Beech's side.

Diamond in particular has been a key part of the side which nearly rescued a point against Burnley on the opening day of the season, and were beaten by an excellent Leeds United team seven days ago.

Parkinson has said that he will use the side as a 'reserve team' this season, in a bid to improve the pathway to the first team and improve the results that have been so desperately poor.

The U23s did not win a league game last season, and had gone winless in the last six games of the previous campaign.

This was their first win since beating Reading on February 3rd, 2019.

SUNDERLAND XI: Patterson (c), Wombwell, Wilding, Almond, Dunne, Dyson, Beaumont, Kimpioka, Wearne, Hawkes, Curry

SUBS: Baggs, Bond, Harrison, Taylor

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