- Albion draw 3-3 with Sunderland
- Jack Spong and Laurent Tolaj (2) on target
- Tolaj has a late chance to win the game
- The Seagulls return to league action against West Ham United next week
Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18s recovered from 3-0 down to end their Premier League Cup campaign with a 3-3 draw against Sunderland at the Academy of Light.
Jack Spong’s goal and Laurent Tolaj’s brace claimed Albion a point, but the Seagulls exited the competition after finishing bottom of Group C.
Ryan Gooch gave Sunderland the lead in the 16th minute with a long-distance strike, before Cole Kiernan doubled the Black Cats’ advantage on the half-hour mark.
Kiernan got his second and the hosts’ third shortly afterwards after curling a shot into the far corner from 25 yards out.
But Albion gained a foothold into the game six minutes after the re-start when Spong placed his effort from the edge of the area following Sam Packham’s assist.
Tolaj then got his first after heading home from Marc Leonard’s cross to make it 3-2, before the duo combined again to wipe out the hosts’ lead.
Albion almost claimed a remarkable win when Tolaj raced through on goal in the closing stages, but his close-range attempt was saved by Adam Cameron.
ALBION: Rushworth; Weaire, Clark-Eden, Lopata; Packham (Roberts 72), Shihab (Cashman 72), Spong, Tutt; Vukoje; Tolaj, Leonard.
SUBS NOT USED: Rees (GK), Tanimowo.