Someone needs to take control and finish this off, too many half chances and hopefull shots. They have nothing to lose now and they'll get a break if we don't impose ourselves.
Liked the look of Cirkin and Mundle tonight, both will be needed in the first team squad shortly. As for tonight we looked a bit lightweight up front after Mundle departed . Scraped a win in which we should have been out of sight really.
Sunderland U21 1-0 Sporting CP U21 Romaine Mundle scored the only goal of the game, as Sunderland Under-21s moved top of Group D in the Premier League International Cup with a 1-0 win over Sporting CP. On his return from injury, Mundle’s 32nd-minute strike proved the difference, as Graeme Murty’s side continue their unbeaten start to this season’s competition. Several first-team players, including Mundle, Leo Hjelde, Dennis Cirkin, Harrison Jones and Blondy Nna Noukeu, all started at the Stadium of Light, and the Lads looked a threat from the off. Mundle saw the game’s first opportunity - testing the Sporting ‘keeper with an effort from the corner of the area. Murty’s side continued to dominate, with Mundle’s thumping shot being spilled by Guilherme Silva into the path of Timur Tutierov, who could only fire the ball over the bar. 32 minutes into his first start of the season, Mundle gave the young Black Cats the lead, when Ben Middlemas fed the winger, before unleashing an effort past Silva at his near post. The hosts could have been further ahead before the break, when Jake Waters’ header narrowly bent over the bar and Tutierov clipped an effort just wide of the left post. Midway into the second half, Middlemas came close to extending the Lads’ lead, but his deflected shot from outside of the area dropped agonisingly wide of the right post. Sporting CP almost levelled with 15 minutes to go, as Sandro Ferreira intercepted a loose pass from Nna Noukeu, before hammering an effort over the bar from just inside of the area. Murty’s side return to action, as they conclude their National League Cup Group D campaign, when they visit Halifax Town on Tuesday (7pm kick-off). Sunderland U21: Nna Noukeu, Cirkin, Holcroft, Kindon, Hjelde (Neild 45’), Jaydon Jones, Middlemas, Harrison Jones, Mundle (Moore 45’), Waters (Scott 62’), Tutierov Subs not used: Metcalf, Walsh, Lightfoot, Hunt
