EDS see off Sunderland for eighth successive PL2 win | OneFootball

City twice came from behind to beat Sunderland 3-2 in Premier League 2 and extend our winning run to eight matches.

Second half goals from Michael Okeke and Emilio Lawrence were enough to maintain our three-point cushion at the top of PL2 in what was a keenly-fought contest in the North East.

The hosts took an early lead through Trey Ogunsuyi, but City responded before the break through a spectacular long-range strike from Josh Wilson-Esbrand.

Sunderland regained the lead early in the second half through Harrison Jones, but the Blues once again drew level when Okeke grabbed an equaliser 20 minutes from time.

And the turnaround was complete with ten to play when Okeke turned provider for Lawrence, who confidently slotted home a late winner.

What happened

The Blues came into the tie hoping to extend an impressive run of form in the league, which had seen us win each of our fixtures after an opening day defeat to Liverpool.

But it was the hosts, looking for a fourth successive win in PL2, who drew first blood through forward Ogunsuyi inside ten minutes.

City were dealt a further blow when Justin Oboavwoduo, a key figure in our Under-19s' UEFA Youth League win over Feyenoord in midweek, was forced off with an injury after the half hour.

But the Blues responded defiantly and were back on level terms as half-time approached through Wilson-Esbrand.

WATCH: Highlights: City U19s 6-1 Feyenoord U19s

The equaliser came in stunning fashion, with the full-back trying his luck from distance and finding the net with a stunning effort.

Ben Wilkinson's side found ourselves behind soon after the restart when Sunderland captain Jones breached the Blues' backline.

And as the 70-minute mark approached, it looked like City's efforts might go unrewarded.

However, our EDS once again refused to lie down, with substitute Michael Okeke grabbing the all-important leveller.

Lawrence deserved huge credit for his role in our second equaliser, racing down the left before cutting back into the path of Okeke, who confidently fired home.

Ten minutes later and the roles were reversed, with Okeke feeding Lawrence in behind.

The winger outpaced the Sunderland defender to meet a long ball over the top, before sweeping home the winner past the despairing dive of Kelichi Chibueze.

City had been made to work for the three points, but another mature performance from our Young Blues was enough to make it eight wins in a row.

What it means

City sit top of Premier League 2, three points ahead of Fulham.

However, the Cottagers have one game in hand at the time of writing.

How we lined up

Oliver Whatmuff started between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Matty Henderson-Hall, Lakyle Samuel, Max Alleyne and Josh Wilson-Esbrand.

Jacob Wright, captaining the side, sat at the base of the City midfield, with Jaden Heskey and Justin Oboavwoduo given licence to get forward and join the attack.

At the sharp end, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Emilio Lawrence started on the flanks with Will Dickson leading the line.

SUNDERLAND XI: Chibueze, Lavery, Je. Jones, Lenz, Anderson, Bell, Ba, Middlemas, Ogunsuyi, Jones (C), Tutierov (Walsh 70').

Subs: Cameron, Scott, Ja. Jones, Holcroft.

CITY XI: Whatmuff, Henderson-Hall, Samuel, Alleyne, Wilson-Esbrand, Wright (C), Heskey, Oboavwoduo (Okeke 33’), Alfa-Ruprecht (Gray 89'), Lawrence, Dickson (Mubama 59').

Subs: Grigg, Naylor.

Up next

City's next Premier League 2 fixture sees us face Nottingham Forest on Monday 16 December, with kick-off set for 19:00 (UK).

Before then, though, many of today's team will likely be in UEFA Youth League action, as our Under-19s lock horns with Juventus.

The game is available to watch live on CITY+, with kick-off in Turin set for 14:00 on Wednesday 11 December.