Reserves: United 2 Sunderland 0
Chris Eagles and Febian Brandy struck fine second half goals to give United’s Reserves a narrow, but highly-deserved victory over league leaders Sunderland.
The Reds missed a hatful of chances during the 90 minutes, but Eagles struck just before the hour mark with a curling 20 yard effort, before an injury time breakaway strike from Brandy sealed victory for the hosts.
Black Cats goalkeeper Trevor Carson pulled off a string of superb saves to keep his side in the match, while opposite number Tom Heaton was also in fine form on the rare occasions he was called upon.
United went into the match knowing a fifth successive victory would take them second in the Barclays Premier Reserve League (North), and their lightning start displayed a real intent to do just that.
Brandy and strike partner Dong Fangzhuo were in scintillating form from the off. Dong shot just wide from distance after eight minutes, before Brandy turned Dong’s cross goalwards – only for Carson to save well with his legs.
The pair combined again just after the half hour as Brandy directed Dong’s cross just over the bar, before Dong arced a shot just wide of Carson’s post from distance.
The Sunderland stopper was left well beaten by a Michael Barnes volley which bounced down into the ground and up onto the crossbar, but he was more than equal to Brandy when the diminutive striker raced clear on goal.
There was still time for Dong to come close with two more powerful efforts, one blocked, another just off target, before the half-time whistle. Quite how United had failed to score was a mystery.
When Eagles was thwarted in another one-on-one after the break, it seemed like a frustrating evening was on the cards for United. The 21-year-old, however, had other ideas.
With 59 minutes gone, Eagles picked the ball up on the left edge of the area, cut infield past two Sunderland defenders and passed a precise curling effort inside Carson’s far post.
It was always going to take something special to beat an in-form opposing goalkeeper, and Eagles’ strike was just that. He almost repeated the feat twice shortly afterwards, but his dipping volley crashed off the top of the crossbar before a lovely free kick grazed the side netting.
Tom Heaton, a virtual spectator for much of the match, had to be alert with 20 minutes remaining, however, as his fingertip save brilliantly tipped Roy O’Donovan’s long-distance half volley onto the post and away.
United continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession and chances, however, and it was no more than they deserved when Brandy raced onto a long punt forward in the final minute to coolly slot home a second.
United: Heaton; Simpson, Chester, J Evans, Cleverley; Barnes, Hewson, Lee, Eagles; Dong (Welbeck, 76), Brandy.
