This is what the Sunderland boss made of the academy talents who starred in Carlisle United win

Phil Parkinson hailed encouraging signs from Sunderland youngsters Jack Diamond and Dan Neil.
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Diamond scored his first senior goal for Sunderand with an emphatic finish, securing a 5-3 win over Carlisle United in stoppage time.

Parkinson says the 20-year-old is an ‘exciting player’ even if there is some work to do on his consistency in possession.

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“Jack was up against a decent young player and I thought and it was a good battle. Jack was relentless.

Jack Diamond scored his first senior Sunderland goal against Carlisle UnitedJack Diamond scored his first senior Sunderland goal against Carlisle United
Jack Diamond scored his first senior Sunderland goal against Carlisle United

"Sometimes it didn’t go right for him, but other times he produced some good moments. That’s the experience and decision making you only really get from playing league football.

We know he’s got pace and is good in one against one situations,” Parkinson said.

"He’s an exciting player and at times he showed the tonight. He probably just needed a bit more consistency in his all-round game over the course of the 90 minutes. But it’s fantastic for him.”

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Dan Neil was substituted in the second half as Sunderland looked to protect their lead, but Parkinson saw encouraging signs from the 18-year-old, a week on from agreeing his first professional contracts.

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The Black Cats boss also hailed Denver Hume’s continiung improvement, as the wing-back scored his first goal of the season to put his side 2-1 ahead at the Stadium of Light.

“I thought Dan in particular in the first half was good,” Parkinson said.

"It was quite frantic in that midfield area, but he showed good composure in possession. Very rarely did he give the ball away. He probably tired a bit in the second half, but it was a good performance for a player who is so young.

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“With Denver, he’s learning and you only get that from the experience of playing games,” Parkinson added.

"He’s come back fitter and stronger. He had a bit of a problem with his back going into the game, and maybe a couple of years ago Denver might have played or not played.

"But he was determined to get out there and wanted to play. I didn’t think he was at his best at the weekend in terms of his defensive play, but tonight I thought he was great and the play down the left-hand side was excellent.”

Chris Maguire also seized his opportuntiy to impress, with the attacking midfield initially expected to start on the bench.

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“I was going to go with Griggy and Wyke up front but Griggy took a whack in training in yesterday and we've had to send him off for an x-ray,” Parkinson said.

“Fingers crossed it won't be too bad.

“So we put Chrissy put in that number ten role and I was pleased with his contribution tonight.”

Brandon Taylor was another academy player able to secure some valuable first-team experience, playing 84 minutes.

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