Sunderland U23 1-2 Norwich City U23 report: Black Cats let lead slip against Canaries

Sunderland U23s’ first home game ended in defeat as Norwich City came from behind to win at Eppleton.

Lee Connelly put the Black Cats – who opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a draw at Stoke City last weekend – ahead on the quarter-hour with a neat finish, but Louis Lomas levelled just before half-time with a firm header from a corner.

Norwich took the game to Sunderland in the second half and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made a string of fine saves to keep them in the game.

But there was nothing he could do to prevent Gassan Ahadme capitalising on another corner to score what turned out to be the winner inside the final quarter-hour.

Sunderland coach Elliott Dickman named a strong side, which included the likes of Bali Mumba, Elliot Embleton, and Benji Kimpioka, all of whom have first-team experience.

The Black Cats made a fast start, creating a couple of chances inside the first five minutes with Jack Diamond he architect on both occasions, but Kimpioka saw a shot blocked at close range, and then Connelly was inches away from making contact with a dangerous low cross.

But Sunderland hit the front in the 16th minute and once again it was Diamond who deserved a large share of the credit.

Jake Hackett’s overhit cross looked to be going out of play for a throw-in on the right but Diamond chased after it and put it back into the box, Kimpioka could not get on the end of it but it came through to Connelly who had time to take a touch and drill his low finish past Archie Mair.

Norwich’s Aiden Fitzpatrick sent a shot wide from the edge of the box.

But Sunderland offered more threat going forward, with Embleton curling a right-foot shot narrowly wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area, and then soon after Connelly also fired wide of the same post after being played in by Kimpioka.

Sunderland were made to pay for those missed chances when Norwich levelled on 42 minutes.

Hackett conceded a free-kick outside the left edge of the penalty area, Tom Scully’s delivery found Lomas unmarked in the middle and he guided his header into the right side of the net.

And Norwich could even have gone in at the break in front after Ahadme danced past two challenges inside the area on the right, only to then drag his shot across goal and just wide of the far post.

In the second half, Hackett sent a half-volley over the bar from the edge of the box.

And Connelly saw a shot from a tight angle saved by Mair after racing through the right-hand channel.

But as the game wore on, Norwich took control with Patterson having to work hard to keep them at bay.

He denied substitute Shae Hutchinson, Isak Thorvaldsson from point-blank range, and then Fitzpatrick, as the Canaries piled on the pressure.

And that pressure told 12 minutes from time when Ahadme put the visitors in front after Norwich capitalised on another corner.

Ruben Sammut forced Mair to tip an awkward looping cross over the bar, Kimpioka brought another save out of the keeper, and Connelly saw a late chance saved, but Sunderland could not force an equaliser.

How they lined up

SUNDERLAND : Patterson, Mumba, Taylor, Bainbridge, Gamble, Sammut, Connelly, Embleton (Neil 62), Hackett (Kokolo 82), Diamond, Kimpioka. Subs not used: Abdelkader, Collins, Greenwood

BOOKED: Hackett, Connelly, Taylor

NORWICH CITY: Mair, Thomas, Nizet, Lomas, Famewo, Scully, Fitzpatrick, Adshead (Martin 89), Thorvaldsson, Ahadme (McAlear 85), Hondermark (Hutchinson 64). Subs not used: Johnson, Jones

BOOKED: Adshead, Scully

REFEREE: Gareth Rhodes (North Yorkshire)

ATTENDANCE: 198