Sunderland's under-21s showed a great second-half spirit to reduce the deficit against Southampton, but their hard work could not undo the first-half damage caused by the Saints. Southampton were three goals to the good after just 30 minutes, leaving Graeme Murty's side with a mountain to climb.
The young Black Cats upped the intensity and their press in the second 45 minutes, with Olly Lancashire nodding into the back of his own net to claw one back for the Wearsiders just minutes after the restart. Sunderland tails were up, but they weren't able to make the most of a number of half-decent chances with the Saints continuing their impressive start to the season.
Sunderland remain ninth in the Premier League 2 Division 2 table, having played a game more than Stoke City and Derby County who lie beneath them at the foot of the table. There have been clear signs of progress under Murty since his arrival, coupled with the work of John Hewitson, but as of yet, the young Wearsiders are yet to reap any rewards.
READ MORE: Sunderland U21s vs Southampton U21s highlights and reaction
Here's the key talking points from Sunderland U21s defeat to Southampton:
Poor first-half display
There can be no understating just how poor the opening 45 minutes were for the young Black Cats. Head coach Murty said his side were too passive in possession and allowed Southampton to dictate proceedings from the get-go.
Kami Doyle ran the show as the Saints penned in their hosts, wave after wave of attack inside the opening stages of the game left Sunderland shell-shocked. The Black Cats kept the visitors at bay for 17 minutes, when Jimmy Jay Morgan went down under pressure from Ben Crompton, officials awarding a penalty.
The Saints' winger dusted himself down and rolled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal to open the scoring. Not done there, the livewire grabbed his second of the afternoon in calamitous fashion for the hosts.
Jacob Carney's clearance was charged down by Morgan, with the ball deflecting straight into the back of the net. The Saints added their third just minutes later through Tyler Dibling, Pearce rolling in the winger on the right-hand side of the box, who made no mistake from 18-yards out.
The damage was all but done in the opening half hour.
Leon Dajaku and Niall Huggins involvement
In positive news for Sunderland supporters, Niall Huggins came through another 90 minutes for the Under-21s. The Wales youth international has missed a lot of football in the past 12 months, but is slowly rediscovering his fitness at the Academy of Light.
He cut a frustrated figure in the first half, unhappy with his sides' dallying on the ball, but gave the Black Cats a much-needed outlet on the right-hand side. His dangerous ball into the area gave Sunderland a way back into the tie, but in truth they struggled to find him in good areas in the second half.
As for Leon Dajaku, he turned in a similar display. You would have been forgiven for forgetting he was on the pitch in the first half, but after the half-time interval, he took the game by the scruff of the neck and was one of Sunderland's better players.
His driving runs down the flank caused big problems for the Saints, but his lack of composure cost him in front of goal. It's almost a common theme of his appearances in Premier League 2 this season, does the hard work to get into goalscoring areas but lacks that final ball when needed.
This was one of his better displays, with the whole team lacking in the opening 45 minutes.
Chris Rigg
Sunderland look to have a real talent on their hands in Chris Rigg. Still just 15 years old, the youngster came off the bench for a second-half cameo and didn't look out of place against players much older than himself.
While still lacking in the physical department, the young midfielder is playing six age groups ahead of himself and has shown no fear. Almost Duracell Bunny-like - other battery providers are available - with his energy on the pitch, he covered a lot of ground this afternoon, coached through the game by Murty on the sidelines.
Sometimes his tenacity and eagerness to win the ball back cost him, giving away some sloppy fouls with Sunderland in good areas of the pitch. That however, will come as he matures and grows into the game.
It's clear from his call-up to the Under-21s, that he's highly thought of on Wearside and at the moment, the Black Cats are able to provide him with a good pathway into senior football.
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