The lads put last week’s disappointment at Hull behind them after outclassing an Everton side which included returning first-team duo Tony Hibbert and Philippe Senderos, with goals from Michael Liddle and the impressive Oumare Tounkara sealing the deserved victory.

Keith Bertschin’s side lined up with Hungarian stopper Martin Fulop making an appearance between the sticks, and Liddle partnering Captain Michael Kay in the heart of the defence. The back four was completed by Brown and Weir, who lined up at left and right full-back respectively. The centre of the park was marshalled by two contrasting players, with the creative flair of Liam Noble complimenting the tenacious style of Jamie Chandler. Luscombe and O’Mahoney provided pace and width, with Galer and Tounkara leading the line.

Sunderland began brightly, with Chandler latching on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and firing just wide. Alongside Noble, the central duo established themselves from the off, with pint-sized Jamie clattering in to Hope Akpan early and Liam, brother of Black Cats wonder kid Ryan, quickly following suit.

Ten minutes of Sunderland dominance had Toffee’s gaffer Alan Stubbs barking instructions at his players, who frankly looked startled and unable to adapt the pace of Sunderland’s game.

A rare Everton counter-attack caught the Lads napping as Conor McAleny raced goalwards and struck viciously against Fulop’s crossbar. This was followed by a Tony Hibbert delivery, which was met with a Hungarian roar as Fulop rose to meet the ball; to be fair to Sunderland though, this was an extremely rare occurrence as Kay and Liddle kept the Everton strike force quiet.

Noble continued to probe, frequently carving open the Blue’s back line and finding winger Liam O’Mahoney, who showed a touch of class to skip his way to the by-line twice in quick succession before crossing, and both were met by the head of big Oumare Tounkara. The French youngster caught the eye with his pace and power, and showed a series of tremendous touches and skills that were worthy of the gasps they drew from the 415-strong crowd; Oumare’s tussle with the experienced on-loan Swiss Senderos also provided an enjoyable contest.

Just after the half-hour Tounkara showed a good turn of pace before being hacked down by Shane Duffy just outside of the area. O’Mahoney whipped the ball in from the angle, and the clearance found it’s way to Noble, and his floated delivery was scrambled away. The resulting corner was lashed in by stocky and relentless Nathan Luscombe, and was met at the near post by none other than centre-half Michael Liddle. His side-footed volley held too much power for stand-in Everton keeper Adam Davies, who could only fist the effort in to his side-netting. The goal the Lads had been searching for deservedly came, albeit from an unlikely source!

The first half drew to a close with the Toffee’s offering little resistance, leaving poor Martin Fulop twiddling his thumbs and as much a spectator as the rest of us. Great first-half performance from the boys.

Stubbsy must have unleashed some scouse aggro on his players at half-time, because after the break Everton offered a bit more to the occasion. First Akpan surged forwards, yet was met by the sliding missile that was Liddle. Then Everton corner was met by Senderos, but the effort went sailing harmlessly over. This brief resurgence was short-lived, however, as the Lads in Red & White soon regained control.

Tounkara linked well with substitute Dowson down the left after some great interchanging of passes by the trio of the latter, Brown, and Luscombe. This was a sign of things to come, and soon after Sunderland doubled their lead. Tounkara showed the sort of class that was typical of his display to skilfully back heel the ball in to the path of Dowson, who raced to the by-line before selflessly picking out the arriving Frenchman. Tounkara showed composure to slot home, a reward for his fabulous display.

By the time our Oumare was sent clear yet again by Noble (who had been spraying 50-yard balls all over the park all night) he was producing nothing short of a masterclass in the art of leading a forward line. Again he drew whoops of delight from the crowd as he fended off two Toffee’s players before sending a curling effort just wide of the far post.

Senderos epitomised Everton’s frustration minutes before the end by giving the finger to the Sunderland supporters, who needless to say responded whole-heartedly.

A quality display across the park from the Lads, a clean sheet for Martin and a solid performance from a boy who has spent some time in the shadow of man-of-the-moment Ryan Noble. All in all, a deserved victory for Kev’s men.

Full Time: Sunderland Reserves 2-0 Everton Reserves

Sunderland: Fulop, Weir, Brown, Liddle, Kay, Chandler, Liam Noble, Luscombe, O’Mahoney, Galer (Dowson), Tounkara

Subs Unused: Cornforth, Wilson, Madden, Slegg

Man of the Match: Chandler and Noble impressed as they bossed the midfield, but for sheer quality in terms of his control and skill, it has to go to Oumare Tounkara

Joe Hockins