Match Report: Huddersfield U21 2-3 Sunderland U21

10/16/2024 06:26 AM

Aaron Connolly's brace helped Sunderland U21s grab their first win in this years Premier League Cup in a thriller away at Huddersfield.

Sunderland made a fast start to the game with Connolly firing home in the fifth minute giving the Black Cats the lead.

Zak Abbott equalised for the Terriers in the 27th minute, before Sunderland regained the lead ten minutes later through exciting prospect Tommy Watson.

Huddersfield levelled the tie through Connor Niall Falls after a mistake from the Sunderland goalkeeper in the 53rd minute.

In the 73rd minute, Connolly grabbed his second of the game and the Black Cats were able to hold on to a precious victory in the Premier League Cup.

Both teams were looking for their first win in this years Premier League Cup after suffering defeats in their opening game and it was Sunderland who struck first after Watson's effort was palmed to Connolly who was in the right place at the right time to fire home.

Huddersfield were then forced into an early change seeing Rhys Healey make way for Abbott and the forward had the perfect opening after he converted a lovely chipped ball into the box from Cameron Ashia with an excellent header in the 27th minute.

Sunderland reacted well to the leveller swiftly regaining the lead as Watson's effort nestled into the bottom corner after a lovely one-two exchange with Harrison Jones in the 38th minute.

The Black Cats went into the break with a 2-1 lead, and there was just one change at half-time coming the way of Huddersfield, as Danny Ward was replaced by Falls.

Sunderland started the second half just as strong as the first with Connolly striking the post in the 48th minute but just five minutes later Falls' long-ranged effort sneaked past Kelechi Chibueze levelling the tie in the 53rd minute.

Watson had an effort cleared off the line just before Sunderland managed to restore the lead in the 73rd minute. A sensational pass from Zak Johnson found Connolly who dinked the ball over the Huddersfield goalkeeper to grab his second of the evening and confirm all three points for Sunderland.

After securing a massive three points, the Black Cats' attention now turns to a home tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League Cup on Monday night.