Sunderland U23 3-4 Fulham U23

Fulham Under-23s made a winning start to their 2021/22 season on Monday night, recording a remarkable 4-3 win over last year’s play-off finalists Sunderland.

A wonderful strike from Sonny Hilton in the dying moments meant the young Whites took all the points.

Hilton was given a start having recently returned from his loan spell with Finnish side TPS Turku. Last year’s promising Under-18s Idris Odutayo, Ollie O’Neill and Harris also all made the line-up.

After a cagey start, O’neill found himself in a good position down the left, but his low cross towards Terry Ablade was intercepted. Jonathon Page had a speculative effort fire over a minute later, after some excellent build-up play.

A quarter of an hour in, Ziyad Larkeche split the Sunderland defence with an excellent through-ball to O’Neill, whose following delivery was cleared. The young Whites were beginning to take control of the game.

Sonny Hilton had a free-kick attempt fly just wide a couple of minutes later after Ablade was blatantly pulled back whilst charging towards goal.

The young Whites took the lead just after the half hour mark, with Harris sliding a low effort into the left corner after pouncing on a loose ball.

The hosts soon created their biggest chance of the game a few minutes later. Number nine Will Harris managed to get away from his marker and run towards goal, but his effort was straight at Ashby-Hammond.

The home side grew into the match and eventually equalised through Harris, who tapped in after our ‘keeper’s good initial save found its way to him.

Fulham started the stronger but the game levelled out before the sides entered the break.

Sunderland enjoyed the majority of the possession after the break and Idris Odutayo was forced into a diving defensive header from a pacey delivery.

The lads soaked up the pressure before regaining the lead down the other end. Ablade retrieved the ball on the left before cutting in and tucking his shot in at the near-post. The disguise on his effort left the ‘keeper with no chance.

Nevertheless, the young Black Cats responded again on the 55-minute mark. After a supposed trip on Tyrese Dyce, the referee pointed to the spot and Harris converted coolly to level the scoring once more.

An hour in, Ablade came agonisingly close to scoring his second but was denied courtesy of some great defending. Hilton cutely flicked the ball over the goalkeeper but Ablade’s attempt from yards out was directed out beyond goal for a corner.

Sunderland took the lead for the first time soon after, with Tyrese Dyce leaping highest to head the ball in from a corner kick.

Fulham responded well and were denied twice after two good saves kept O’Neill and Ablade out from close-range.

The game took another turn with 15 minutes to play. Substitute Bowie made an instant impact, directing his powerful strike towards goal. It wasn’t in the corner, but the speed of his hit was enough to beat the goalkeeper.

Harris got a shot off at goal a few minutes later but his toe-poked effort from the centre of the penalty area was comfortably dealt with by the goalkeeper.

Down the other end, Dyce had a deflected effort spin over Ashby-Hammond before bouncing just a couple of inches wide of the far post. Hearts in mouths in the Fulham technical area.

Then, in the dying seconds, up stepped Hilton to give Fulham the lead once more but with seconds to go. The attacker cut in from the right before curling an excellent left-footed shot into the far corner. The perfect way to end what was an excellent game of football.

The last-gasp drama gave Fulham all three points in their season opener.