Three goals inside the first 30 minutes condemned Leicester City’s Under-18s to defeat at the hands of Sunderland in a keenly contested Barclays U18 Premier League clash at Belvoir Drive.
Trevor Peake’s young side came into the match on the back of some much-improved displays of late against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton, but were immediately on the back foot on Saturday as the Black Cats flew out of the blocks.
James Stinson headed narrowly over in just the first minute, and by the 10th, the visitors were ahead when Dan Pybus connected with Lynden Gooch’s cross.
Gooch then doubled the lead shortly after the 20-minute mark with a turn and shot that City could do little about.
It was then 3-0 by the half hour as Gooch turned provider for Stinson to score, giving the young Foxes a mountain to climb.
City responded to the challenge though, and just a minute into the second 45, first year scholar Dan Rowe finished off an excellent City move to claw back part of the deficit.
But despite having further chances to add to their total, City were unable to add to Rowe’s strike and the Black Cats held out for the win.