U21S MATCH REPORT: SUNDERLAND 1-2 BURNLEY

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Young Clarets win Premier League Cup

2026-05-14T22:20:20.137Z

U21S MATCH REPORT: SUNDERLAND 1-2 BURNLEY

Young Clarets win Premier League Cup

2026-05-14T22:20:20.137Z

Young Clarets win Premier League Cup

Burnley U21s beat their Sunderland counterparts 2-1 to lift the Premier League Cup at the Stadium of Light on Thursday night.

Goals either side of the half-time break from Ellis Clark and Kian McMahon-Brown proved to be the difference between the two teams after a performance full of determination, grit, and quality.

Andy Farrell made three changes to the side that started the semi-final victory over West Bromwich Albion, with first team right-back Connor Roberts earning valuable minutes on his return from injury.

Sunderland-born Logan Pye slotted in at left centre-back, while Tommy McDermott made his first Burnley appearance of the campaign after the conclusion of his loan at Shrewsbury Town.

U21S MATCH REPORT: SUNDERLAND 1-2 BURNLEY - Image 1

There was a big match feel to the walk outs and the tie started with a nervous edge, with no real chances in the opening exchanges.

Sunderland gained a foothold around the 20-minute mark and after Roberts read the play superbly to dispossess Milan Aleksić, Oisin Cooney produced two smart stops in quick succession.

The first was down to his left when Ahmed Abdullahi found himself one-on-one 16 yards out, and the second saw him use his leg to block Aleksić’s powerful hit.

Burnley grew into the game as the half progressed, though, and took the lead after a sustained period of pressure in the 44th minute.

Vernon Masara’s cross was perfect for McMahon-Brown to tee up Clark, who confidently swept the ball into the bottom right corner with his left foot.

U21S MATCH REPORT: SUNDERLAND 1-2 BURNLEY - Image 2

Cameron Scott replaced Roberts in a planned change at the break, and it was 2-0 four minutes later thanks to McMahon-Brown, who produced a sublime backheeled finish over Joe Cowan and in.

Pouani then made way for Tom Tweedy with 66 on the clock and McDermott missed a golden opportunity to strike by delaying his shot straight afterwards.

Farrell’s side were made to rue that error when Felix Scott cut in from the right-hand side and curled past Cooney to reduce the arrears 18 minutes from time.

The home side were now firmly on top as Aleksić and Abdullahi both smacked the same post either side of Zach Johnson replacing McDermott for the Clarets.

A change of formation saw Roman Egan-Riley take the place of Masara as the fourth official signalled for seven additional minutes, to which the home crowd responded with gusto.

Burnley were able to weather the storm, though, and held on to spark jubilant celebrations upon referee Michael Barlow’s final whistle.

Burnley: Cooney, Roberts (Scott 46), Pimlott, Campbell, Pye, Brierley, Masara (Egan-Riley 90), Clark, McMahon-Brown, McDermott (Johnson 77), Pouani (Tweedy 66)

Unused Substitutes: Leuluai

Sunderland: Cowan, Lightfoot, Holcroft, Jenson Jones, Kindon, Aleksić, Dinsdale (Proctor 64), Jaydon Jones (Scott 71), Abdullahi (Neill 90), Harrison Jones, Whittaker

Unused Substitutes: Metcalf, Lienard

Goals: Clark 44’, McMahon-Brown 49’, Scott 72’