Sunderland 5 (Tutierov 31, Abdullahi 41, Walsh 57, Jones 66, Geragusian 90+3) Wolves 0
Wolves under-21s were comfortably beaten away at Sunderland under-21s on Friday afternoon, as they lost their first league game of 2025.
Two goals before the break gave the Black Cats a lead heading into the break after a balanced first half, before three goals after the restart saw them wrap up the three points.
Wolves started quickly and caused Sunderland problems from the outset with an efficient high-press. The intensity led to several opportunities for the away side to take the lead early on as they dominated the early proceedings.
First, Kelechi Chibueze in the Sunderland net fell victim to the high-press as his lose ball was picked up by Matt Whittingham inside the penalty area, but he failed to convert the chance. Seconds later, Mackenzie Brabdury picked up the rebound and saw his effort blocked.
The visitors continued to apply pressure and Leo Lopes was next to test Chibueze. Caden Voice looked up and played a seeking ball towards Lopes, who took the ball in his stride and struck towards goal, but his effort was parried away to safety.
Five minutes later, the away side went close again and Chibueze was forced into another stop. This time, at full-stretch, he denied Saheed Olagunji’s headed effort after he connected with Bradbury’s wide free-kick.
Wolves’ grip on the contest began to loosen and Sunderland enjoyed a momentum swing that saw them break the deadlock. Timur Tutierov won the ball on the left flank and drove towards the penalty area, before arriving and bending one into the far corner to beat Josh Gracey.
The home side capitalised on Wolves’ descent and doubled their lead 10 minutes later. Ahmed Abdullahi was a threat throughout the first half, despite being withdrawn at the interval, and he got his goal after he took on three Wolves defenders before reversing a shot past Gracey and into the bottom corner.
Half time | Sunderland 2–0 Wolves
Sunderland came out for the second half in similar fashion to the first as they added to their advantage in the 57th minute. Tutierov won the ball in the final third and advanced it to Finn Geragusian, he turned and slid Rhys Walsh through on goal who finished neatly first-time.
Wolves’ unfortunate afternoon worsened when Jaydon Jones added a fourth for the home side just nine minutes later. Walsh turned provider as he picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area, before squaring it to an onrushing Jones who poked the ball home.
Energy levels began to drop, and Collins turned to his bench for a way back into the game as Keto-Diwaya, Fabian Reynolds and Fil Mabete were all introduced.
Wolves failed to gain any momentum throughout the second half and were left frustrated with the performance. Sunderland dominated the second 45, with everything in favour of the team in red and white.
The away side got forward on a rare occasion and Bradbury had a chance to fire goalwards, but his effort was blocked. Lopes picked up the rebound on the edge of the box and also saw his effort blocked, before Mabete collected another loose ball and was eventually denied entry into the Sunderland box. A sequence that ultimately summarised the second half for Wolves.
Geragusian made it five in the dying embers when he collected a loose ball in the final third and neatly lofted the ball over Gracey.
The defeat on Tyneside meant a first loss in three league games for Collins’ side, as they prepare for a tie in the National League Cup against Rochdale.
Full time | Sunderland 5–0 Wolves
LINEUPS
Sunderland | Chibueze, Lavery, Bainbridge (Jones 62), Middlemas (Lenz 45) , Bell, Seelt, Walsh, Jones, Abdullahi (Geragusian 45), Whittaker (Kindon 90+2), Tutierov.
Unused subs | Cameron.
Wolves | Gracey, Okoduwa, Hubner, Voice (Keto-Diwaya 78), Pond, Olagunji (Mabete 78), Lopes, Bradbury, Angel, Whittingham, Edozie (Reynolds 78).
Unused subs | Rawlings, Dayman.
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Report by Callum Greybanks
