Graeme Murty's Sunderland U21s side put in an assured performance to exact revenge on Stoke City following the first-team's drubbing at the weekend. Alex Neil would enjoy a 5-1 win on his return to Wearside, but it was the Black Cats youngsters who would take home the three points this evening.
A second-half strike from Ellis Taylor added to Harry Gardiner's first-half brace, with an own goal denying the young forward a hattrick in their penultimate home game of the Premier League 2 Divsion 2 campaign. Murty was able to call on first-teamers Abdoullah Ba, Pierre Ekwah, Jewison Bennette and Isaac Lihadji, while Chris Rigg got another 90 minutes to his name.
The 4-1 win over the Potters sees Sunderland jump above arch rivals Newcastle in the table, into eighth on 17 points. The Under-21s are unable to qualify for the PL2 play-offs, but are intent on finishing the season well.
