ETHAN Robson struck a stunning free-kick late at the King Power Stadium to give Sunderland’s Under-23s a 3-2 victory at Leicester.
Bartosz Kapustka put the Foxes ahead and, after George Honeyman had levelled, Admiral Muskwe added a second for the home side.
But Sunderland hit back with a second equaliser through Honeyman on the hour before Noble’s beauty in the dying stages.
SUNDERLAND: Stryjek, Casey, J Robson (Taylor 55), Agnew, Ledger (Molyneux 61), Brady, Wright, E Robson, Lawson (Maja 81), Honeyman, Greenwood. Subs (not used): Talbot, Embleton, Taylor.
BERNARDO ESPINOSA pulled on a Middlesbrough shirt for the first time since his summer arrival from Sporting Gijon.
The South American centre-back played 73 minutes of the Under-23s’ goalless draw with Blackburn, who fielded Wes Brown for an hour, at Bolton after recovering from his knee surgery he had a few months ago.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Fryer; Halliday, Espinosa (Fry 73), Jackson (Capt.), McGinley (Tavernier 27), Morris, Morelli, Tinkler, Jakupovic, Cooke. Mondal (McAloon 68). Subs: Pears (gk); Fewster
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here