In-demand Sunderland youngster Chris Rigg scored a stunning free-kick in front of dozens of Premier League scouts to help the club's Under-15s win the Super Floodlit Cup. The academy side lifted the prestigious trophy after a hard-fought 4-2 win over defending champions Crystal Palace. Goals from Rigg, Mason Cotcher, Aaron Chungh and Trey Ogunsuyi saw the young Black Cats twice come from a goal behind.
Scouts from up and down the country were in attendance to watch the game, with England U15 star Rigg one of the most closely-watched. A number of Premier League teams are circling the player, including Everton - who are believed to be in pole position to sign the talented 14-year-old - and rivals Newcastle United.
Sunderland had beaten Manchester City a week ago in the regional final to set up the clash against Palace in the national final at Loughborough University. The Eagles were the more accomplished side for large parts of the game, but Sunderland remained resolute and after Cotcher's equaliser three minutes from the end sent the game into extra time, they finally dispatched their 10-man opponents.
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Palace took the lead in the 16th minute when the excellent Zack Henry, who was a thorn in the Sunderland side throughout the game, released Enrique Lameiras and the winger slotted home left-footed. The London side had the better of the possession but Sunderland hung in there and three minutes before the interval were on level terms thanks to a moment of magic from Rigg. The highly-rated midfielder whipped a 25-yard free-kick over the wall and in off the crossbar to make it 1-1.
Things were to get better for Sunderland before the break as Palace defender Leon Elliott was shown a straight red card just two minutes later. Sunderland were unable to make the extra player count after the interval. Palace continued to threaten and were denied by a goalline clearance before Lameiras got his second with 12 minutes left, nodding in Gabriel Bonsu-Amako’s left-wing cross.
It looked like being a winner but Sunderland refused to lie down and Cotcher sent the game into extra time when he swerved inside his marker before calmly placing the ball into the far corner. Palace were stunned, and never recovered. The young Black Cats were now on the front foot and dominated the two 10 minute periods.
Substitute Layton Campbell went close but they went ahead for the first time on the night a couple of minutes later after a tidy finish from Chungh before Ogunsuyi grabbed the killer fourth right at the start of the second period of extra time to ensure the trophy returned to Wearside.
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