While the present looks that little bit rosier for Sunderland following Saturday’s stunning victory at Swansea City, the future on Wearside is positively gleaming.
Regis Le Bris can already boast the youngest average XI in the Championship.
Teenager Jobe Bellingham struck the winner against Swansea as Sunderland came from 2-0 down in South Wales; the 19-year-old assisted by a 17-year-old Chris Rigg as he slammed home the decider with 76 minutes on the clock.
One week earlier, it was another teenager – Tommy Watson netted his first two Sunderland goals – who saw off Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.
Romain Mundle, Dennis Cirkin, Trai Hume, Dan Neil and Aji Alese are all aged 23 and under, meanwhile. If Sunderland can keep this uber-talented squad together – albeit that may be easier said than done as Manchester United chase Chris Rigg, for instance – then who knows how high they can fly?
But while the current crop stick on the coattails of Championship leaders Sheffield United, their next generation pulled off quite the result themselves on Monday night.
Timur Tutierov during a Ukraine squad portrait session at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2024 finals tournament on July 13, 2024 in Belfas...
Photo by Ramsey Cardy – Sportsfile/UEFA via Getty Images
Timur Tutierov and Marcus Neill praised as Sunderland kids beat Arsenal
Sunderland’s Under-21 side climbed above Arsenal with a hard-fought 2-1 win in North London. Thus, moving to within touching distance of fourth-place Liverpool in the Premier League 2 table.
Timur Tutierov opened up recently about the injury issues which had hampered his progress in the North East, via the club’s official website.
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The relief was palpable, then, when the Ukraine Under-19 starlet burst through to slot home the opener with just five minutes on the clock against Arsenal.
“We started really brightly and deserved to take the lead,” smiles John Hewitson, Graeme Murty’s assistant coach speaking to the Sunderland website after watching Tutierov and co fly out of the blocks.
“We were good in spells and dealt with their press. Timur has timed his run brilliantly for the opener and, at half-time, we should have been further ahead. We’ve missed so many chances.”
It looked as if Sunderland’s profligacy would cost them, too, when Arsenal levelled moments after the interval. But, just two days after Dan Neil launched a rocket into the Swansea net, his near-namesake Marcus Neill rose from the bench to tap in on the rebound and ensure the three points would be heading back up North.
One of the younger members of Sunderland’s Under-21 set-up, Neill – at just 16 – has been a regular in the Under-18 side this term. And, after scoring five goals and providing a further five assists in just 10 games at that level, he was more than deserving of his chance at a higher age group.
A chance Neill grabbed with both hands on Monday evening.
Former Liverpool starlet Neill has made a flying start at Sunderland
“As expected, Arsenal gathered momentum and came back into it. But we are really pleased with the reaction to push on and go for the winner,” Hewitson adds. “It was a poacher goal from Marcus. He’s been proactive rather than just reacting.
“Their keeper has made an outstanding save but Marcus has to be in the right place at the right time
▶︎ 16-year-old
▶︎ Signs from Liverpool in the summer
▶︎ Scores winner against Arsenal U21s
▶︎ 13 G/A this season
What a start to life on Wearside for Marcus Neill! 👏 pic.twitter.com/fn08v3npGJ
— SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) December 16, 2024
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“We now need to carry the momentum into the next one and start 2025 just as good as we’ve ended 2024.”
Neill, the son of former Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Australia defender Lucas, only joined Sunderland back in July from Liverpool. And it is hard to imagine the striker making a more positive start to life in his new home.