Manchester City EDS 2–2 Sunderland- Match Report

It was a score draw at the Joie Stadium as struggling Manchester City showed character to take a point off Sunderland in the Premier League 2.

City went 1–0 up after 20 minutes through Mahamadou Susho before Sunderland captain Harrison Jones and Caden Kelly struck in quick succession before half time which saw the visitors lead 1–2 at the break.

With 15 minutes left, substitute Tai Sodje levelled the game with his first touch of the ball, which resulted in the points being shared.

On a clear night at the Joie Stadium, Brian Barry- Murphy’s Manchester City side started well, looking comfortable on the ball. Their impressive start to the encounter was almost rewarded with an opener when Alexis Tibidi’s effort from six yards out sailed over the bar after just two minutes.

Sunderland replied not long after as City’s shot stopper True Grant was called into action on the 10 minute mark when Sunderland captain Harrison Jones stung the palms of Grant, who made a routine save to prevent the Wearside outfit from gaining an early lead.

After a goalless 20 minutes under the lights, Manchester City deservedly broke the deadlock with midfielder Mahamadou Susho netting a superb lob over Sunderland goalkeeper Kelechi Chibueze, a sumptuous finish from City’s number 6.

All was not lost for the Black Cats, who continued to knock at the door, breaking swiftly in numbers in an attempt to level the game.

As the half hour mark approached, it was Sunderland’s captain Harrison Jones who looked to be the brightest spark for the side in 11th place.

Jones almost turned provider for Caden Kelly, who’s long range effort skimmed the top of Grant’s net; his clean sheet still intact, however.

Five minutes before the break it was Kelly who drew Sunderland level from long range, unleashing a ferocious left footed strike which rifled into Grant’s bottom left corner, a simply stunning effort from the Sunderland midfielder leaving City’s keeper with no chance.

Captain Jones and goal scorer Kelly were to link up once more before the half time whistle, proving vital for the visitors. This time it was skipper Jones’s turn to add his name to the score sheet, latching on to a Kelly free kick to send a crashing header past True Grant’s near post before wheeling away in celebration, leaving the City defenders to open an inquest into how on earth the Sunderland man had so much space to put Graeme Murty’s side ahead. Certainly a goal that City manager Barry-Murphy will not want to see again.

With one win in their last five games, 24th place City went in trailing 1–2 at the break; down, but not out.

After an uneventful start to the second half, City introduced Emilio Lawrence and Joel Ndala on the hour mark in their search for an equaliser, but were threatened with the prospect of a third Sunderland goal when a poor pass from goalkeeper Grant left Jones with an open goal.

However the Sunderland skipper was unable to convert the difficult chance from long range, leaving City relieved and full of hope as they searched for an equaliser.

With 15 minutes to go, City’s reply came from the bench with Tai Sodje pouncing on a defensive mistake to level the game just seconds after coming on, his first touch of the game nestling into Chibueze’s bottom right corner.

What followed was a golden opportunity for Micah Hamilton to win the game with just four minutes of normal time left, unfortunately for the City captain and his teammates, his strike curled just wide of the post.

After seven minutes of added time, neither side were able to find a winner, resulting in a well-deserved point each.

City’s next Premier League 2 fixture is against Liverpool this Sunday, with Sunderland taking on fierce rivals Newcastle United next Monday.