Sunderland U21s struggles continue as Milan Aleksic makes first appearance

Graham Murty's side fell to a 4-3 defeat to Everton

It was yet another defeat for Sunderland U21s as they fell 4-3 defeat at Everton in the Premier League 2. That makes it four defeats in the last five for Graeme Murty’s side.

Tommy Watson opened the scoring with a sweet strike from range before Omari Benjamin hit back instantly for Everton. Adil Aouchiche’s low effort gave the Lads the lead going into the break before the hosts again equalised through Charlie Whitaker’s penalty. Benjamin grabbed his second putting Everton ahead before Abdoullah Ba’s finish brought the game level.

Jack Butler’s half-volley in the dying moments confirmed victory for the hosts at the Big Help Stadium. Watson returned to the starting XI after missing their midweek fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Summer signing Milan Aleksic made his first Black Cats appearance. The Lads were inches away from the perfect start when Joe Anderson took it upon himself to almost create a moment of magic just four minutes in. An audacious lobbed effort from the halfway line bounced off the bar.

Aleksic presented a continuous threat for the Toffees and should have opened the scoring midway through the first half. A close-range effort palmed away by George Pickford.

The Black Cats had their deserved lead with 27 minutes on the clock. Watson continued his fine form unleashing a cannon from around 20 yards out, striking the post before rippling into the net. The hosts had an instant reply just two minutes later. A confusion in the box allowed Benjamin to tap home the equaliser.

Murty’s side regained the lead just before the break when Watson took advantage of a short back-pass before feeding Aouchiche to finish beyond Pickford.

It was the worst possible start to the second half when a penalty was awarded to the home side. Whitaker tucked away the resulting spotkick. The Blues continued their momentum taking the lead with 20 left to play. Kelechi Chibueze’s initial save fell straight to Benjamin to grab his second and Everton’s third.

Pickford found his form with Sunderland pressing forward. The 17-year-old denied both Harrison Jones and Luke Bell in quick succession with two outstanding stops.

Sunderland had their third on 70 minutes as H.Jones again involved, poked the ball through to the on-running Ba who slotted in the equaliser. Everton grabbed their winner in the dying moments as Butler’s left-footed half-volley sneaked in at the near post to confirm defeat on the road for the Black Cats

The U21s will next travel to Fulham on Friday night in PL2 action having so far only won once this season from seven attempts, losing four.

Sunderland XI: Chibueze, Lavery (Jen Jones 65), Bell, Anderson, Bennette, Middlemas ©, Aouchiche, Aleksic (H.Jones 60), Watson, Ba, Ogunsuyi.

Subs not used: Cameron, Lens, Mitchell.