Niall Huggins came through 45 minutes against Reading in the Premier League Cup as the ten-men of Sunderland were beaten by Reading. The Black Cats struggled to get to grips with the pace and power of the Royals front three, with Max Thompson's second-half sending off making it more difficult.
Graeme Murty's side ended the second-half strongly but the search for his first win on Wearside continues. The young Wearsiders showed a good ability to look after the ball in patches, but their frailty in the final third was their undoing.
The reappearance of Huggins in a red and white shirt and Ben Crompton's firest-half header, were the only positives in a disappointing evening. Tony Mowbray, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman were all in attendance.
READ MORE: Sunderland U21s vs Reading U21s highlights
Here's the key talking points from the game.
Niall Huggins makes long-awaited Sunderland return
For all the euphoria that came with Sunderland's promotion and return to the Championship, it was a season of struggle and setbacks for summer arrival Huggins. The former Leeds United youngster arrived on Wearside full of promise and was expected to play a big part in the Black Cats promotion push.
The defender started the campaign impressively but would feature just four times in all competitions before a back injury meant a spell on the sidelines. The 21-year-old endured a number of setbacks as his team-mates would enjoy success on the pitch.
After almost a year without kicking a ball competitively, the Wales youth international was back in action for Sunderland against Reading in the Premier League Cup. Huggins showed a great deal of composure amongst his peers, regularly bringing the ball out of defence under pressure.
The Black Cats right-back showcased both his short and long-range passing with a number of brilliant cross-field balls and lofted balls in behind. He saw out the 45 minutes allocated to him this evening, under the watchful eye of Mowbray.
Lack of clear-cut chances
It's hard to be overly critical of a young set of players learning their trade, but one thing's for sure, they've struggled to get shots off in the final third that test the opposition goalkeeper. It's been a running theme so far this season, with Max Thompson often isolated by himself.
In contrast, Reading burst forward with bodies and looked a threat every time they approached Sunderland's 18-yard-box. Kelvin Ehibmatiomhan could and probably should have had his hattrick in the opening half hour of the game, only for Jacob Carney to produce a brilliant stop down to his left.
The Royals attacked with purpose and intent, with the Black Cats often left racing towards their own goal, such was the pace of the visitors attack. The second-half was more of the same and it looked as though the match ball would evade Ehibmatiomhan - the Reading number nine blazing over from the penalty spot, met with jeers by supporters of a red and white contingent.
However, the Royals forward would have the last laugh, smashing the ball into the roof of Carney's net. The match ball was finally his.
The need to stamp out ill discipline
Murty may only be two games into his Sunderland tenure but he'll have learned a lot in the past seven days. Thompson's sending off is the fourth red card in eight games for the Under-21s.
A poor statistic to have to their name so early on in the campaign. The full blooded nature of Premier League 2 and the need to prove a point and impress has perhaps gotten the better of a few players throughout the division.
Sunderland themselves need to be smarter and more disciplined in the latter parts of the campaign. Their ill discipline has cost them too many times and left them with a mountain to climb.
SAFC U21s XI: Carney, Huggins (Robinson 45), Jessup, Crompton, Newall, Burke (Wilson 79), Chiabi (Scott 67), Kachosa, Gardiner (Pye 63), Kelly, Thompson
Subs: Richardson.
Goals: Crompton 41
Reading U21s XI: Rowley, Abdel-Salam, Abrefa, Leavy (Paul 45), Holzman, Clarke (Green), Akande, Osorio, Ehibmatiomhan (Bradbury 83), Camara (Melvin-Lambert 83), Scott
Subs: Kowalczyk.
Goals: Ehibmatiomhan 19, 33, 74
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