Chaotic was the word used to describe the second-half of the Wear-Tees U21's derby and with six goals in just 25 minutes and nine all together in the second half, there was little room to argue. Sunderland are still looking for their third win of the Premier League 2 Division 2 campaign.
Graeme Murty's side showed moments quality against a strong Middlesbrough side containing five players that have played for the first-team at the Riverside. But, there can be no getting away from the fact the young Wearsiders switched off and gave away too many cheap goals.
The youngsters showed character to keep coming forward after being pegged back time after time. In truth it was a game where both defences struggled.
READ MORE: Sunderland U21s vs Middlesbrough U21s recap and reaction
Here are some of the key talking points from the Wear-Tees derby.
Rotten run continues
Well where to begin? Sunderland have won just three games in all competitions and twice in Premier League 2 Division 2. The Black Cats started the game brightly but were a goal down after just five minutes through first-teamer Matthew Hoppe.
The visitors hit the crossbar five minutes later in a number of good chances, but Murty's side weathered the storm and Sunderland had a period of 15 to 20 minutes where they were the better team. Michael Spellman forced Liam Roberts into a good save down low - another first-teamer in the visitors XI - before Chris Rigg forced the Boro number two into the save of the game.
Like most games this season, the youngsters have been made to rue their missed chances. Pharrell Willis added a second just before the break, with Sonny Finch adding a third right on the half-time whistle.
It was a somewhat harsh scoreline at the break, but Murty will have been unhappy by the manner in which they conceded two goals in such quick success. Speaking after the defeat to Wolves last time out, Murty said: "Let’s not beat around the bush, it was hard to watch and to take, and it was a challenge for the staff and I to emotionally maintain ourselves. We wanted to deliver some intensity to the players and some home truths, and ensured we did it in a constructive way."
There will have been some home truths said in the changing room at full-time with the Black Cats conceding a fourth just two minutes after the restart, Joe Gibson got in down the right too easily and beat Carney at his front post. Michael Spellman grabbed one back seconds later, but their earlier lapses in concentration had left them with plenty work to do.
Another lapse in concentration saw Hoppe add a fifth, with Caden Kelly reducing the deficit once more, this time with a volley from a Sunderland corner. Chaotic was the best way to describe the second-half, with Finch grabbing his second of the game on the 74th minute, then Sunderland substitute Ethan Moore made it 6-3.
Boro captain Stott added a seventh for the visitors on the 88th minute mark, Ellis Taylor grabbed a fourth on the 90th minute, with Kelly grabbing his second at the death to make the final score 7-5 to the visitors.
Chris Rigg fresh from Sunderland first-team debut
Sought after youngster Chris Rigg made just his second start for the Black Cats at Under-21s level, fresh from making his first-team debut against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup. The 15-year-old midfielder became the second youngster player in the club's history, but has not played much football at Premier League 2 level this season.
The youngster started the opening game of the season for the Under-21s against Norwich City, mainly due to the campaign curtain raiser clashing with the club's tour in North America. Rigg did however play the final half an hour in the U21s last PL2 outing against Southampton, helping to turn the tide of the game.
The young midfielder was full of energy, despite it taking him a while to get into the game. After some moments of indecision, Rigg started to find pockets of space in the final third and create.
He rolled in Spellman for one of Sunderland's best chances of the first-half, before the Black Cats recycled it from the right, this time Rigg hitting a powerful drive towards the top right hand corner, with Liam Roberts at full stretch to tip it over the bar.
The youngster was withdrawn with just over 15 minutes still to play, an evening where he'll have learned as much in defeat as he would from winning at his own age group.
Tony Mowbray's brilliant moment with a young fan
The Sunderland head coach has been a regular at Under-21 games since taking over the first-team. He's regularly taking time out of his evening to talk with fans and there was a brilliant moment for a young fan at this evening's game.
After being asked if he was Tony Mowbray, the Sunderland head coach ensured the young Black Cats supporter got their picture taken with Michael Carrick 'Who has won it all at Manchester United, don't you know?' The Boro head coach laughed and had his picture taken with the young supporter.
The young lad then opened up his phone with FIFA on display, prompting Mowbray to ask if there were any players the club should sign. 'Cristiano Ronaldo' the youngster replied, with Mowbray prompting him in the direction of Speakman who joked that he used FIFA to sign players too. A great moment for the young fan who'll be sure to tell his mates at school all about it.
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