U23 Report: Sunderland 0-2 Saints

Goals either side of the break secured maximum points, with Will Smallbone the creator of both.

Callum Slattery was on the scoresheet inside the opening few minutes, before Marcus Barnes headed a second to safeguard the win.

Radhi Jaïdi's side were, in truth, comfortable throughout, while back-to-back successes means a jump to fourth in the league table, ahead of a busy November period.

Saints came flying out the traps. Barely two minutes had elapsed before Smallbone's square pass had found the feet of Slattery, unmarked inside the area.

The midfielder's finish was emphatic, with enough pace and power on the ball to leave Sunderland stopper Max Johnstone helpless, and fire the visitors into the lead.

One goal to the good, Saints continued to dominate, but couldn't capitalise on sustained periods of pressure until the second half.

Smallbone was again the architect for the second, floating a corner towards the near post, which was met by the clever run of Barnes.

The winger darted towards the front post, before glancing a header into the roof of the net, doubling Saints' lead in the 64th minute.

The two-goal advantage was no less than they deserved, having dictated play and controlled the pace of the game throughout, but Saints were nevertheless in need of some assistance from keeper Jack Rose late on.

Rose was called into action more times than he would have liked during the second period, most notably by Luke Molyneux - who continued to be the home side's biggest threat.

Rose twice saved with his feet, as well as clawing away a shot from distance, flying acrobatically to his right, to ensure Saints had both the points, and the clean sheet they came for.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  51

  49
• Shots
  8

  8
• Shots on target
  4

  3
• Corners
  1

  7
• Passes Complete
  251

  220