Andy’s Player Ratings: Sunderland u21 1-2 Man City u21 – Black Cats Lose Out In Tight Game
Didn’t have chance with either goal, with City having free efforts on goal but made a couple of good saves, with one really good one after a counter attack in the first half, and was tidy with his feet.
Had a difficult game against a tricky winger, with the City man coming out on top with their first goal, kept battling though.
Gave too much room to City for the winner, leaving too much room on the edge of the box and was guilty of not paying attention in the first half when Metcalf played the ball to him. Defended well outside of those two though, making some good interceptions.
A pretty good game at the back for Kindon, never seemed troubled by any City attackers and made a great covering tackle to prevent City taking the lead with the score still at 1-1.
A quiet first half for Cirkin but was far more involved after the break, showing his quality on the ball and getting involved in attacks. Maybe a little out of position for the first goal but looking sharper in each game during his come back.
Neat and tidy in midfield, worked hard to protect the back four but probably not involved on the ball as much as usual.
Not as influential today but still had a good game in the middle, broke the lines a few times with clever balls around the City players. With one threaded pass in particular, to Walsh in the first half, deserving of a goal.
Scored the equaliser when the ball rebounded off him from Moore’s cross and was lively in the number 10 position.
Had a couple of runs off his man that created good chances, first running onto a Middlemas through ball and playing a first time cross to Tutierov, whose shot was blocked, and then running inside, picking out Tutierov but the subsequent shot went wide. Struggled a bit when one-on-one with the opposing defender though.
Usually had the beating of the City right back but his finishing let him down, could have had two or three but had a couple of close range efforts blocked, had saved by the goalkeeper after running through on goal and then shot wide from Walsh’s pass.
Held the ball up OK and flicked on a few headers to teammates but we struggled to get him involved.
Was dangerous when he came on, immediately setting up the equaliser by getting past the City full back and firing a ball across the six yard box.
Replaced Walsh but with little impact.
Man of the Match: Ben Kindon
Plenty of steady performances in a close game today but no real standout performer but I’ll give man of the match to Kindon who was solid the entire game, made one superb tackle when City were well placed to score and immediately got himself up and started a counter attack.
