Winners

By The Black Cats
April 15 2009

The Sunderland Reserves clinched the Barclays Premier League North title last night by beating Manchester City 3-0 away from home last night. Jean-Yves M'voto, Jack Colback and Jamie Chandler were on the scoresheet as Sunderland won comfortably.

Neil Bailey's side went into the game knowing that 3 points would win them the title and M'voto set them on their way in the 44th minute.

Chandler's free-kick from near the corner flag was met by the Frenchman who guided a header past Richard Martin.

Waghorn was the provider as the Black Cats doubled their lead in the 58th minute. The striker crossed for skipper Colback to head into the corner. Colback was named on the subs bench for the senior team vs Manchester United.

The title was all but won six minutes from time when Chandler had his shot was saved by Martin but the midfielder was in the right place to fire the ball into an empty net.

M'voto, Sunderland's giant French centre-back, saw a fourth-minute header touched onto the bar by Martin who also denied Waghorn after he went clean through.

City were awarded a spot kick in the 29th minute but the spot kick was saved by 'keeper Nick Colgan who got down to his left to make a good save.

Nyron Nosworthy, recently back from a hamstring injury, completed 90 minutes to boost his match fitness.

The reserves are now nine points clear at the top ... and cannot be caught.

Coach Neil Bailey said: "It's a fantastic achievement by the lads, they have had the bit between their teeth since day one.

"They've been top for so long and it's not easy to do, no matter what level you are playing at. They deserve a lot of credit."

Sunderland: Colgan; Kay, M'voto, Nosworthy, Hartley (Brown 45); Weir (Madden 81), Meyler, Colback, Chandler; Cook (R. Noble 81), Waghorn. Subs not used: Carson, Adams.