“We believe”- Last-Minute Madness! Murty’s Priceless Reaction After Sunderland U21s’ Epic 3-2 Win v Norwich” sparks volume.

Sunderland U21s coach Graeme Murty praises team’s “character and communication” after dramatic win over Norwich City

Sunderland U21s head coach Graeme Murty has commended the “character and communication” of his young side after they produced a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against Norwich City on Friday evening.

The Black Cats made a flying start at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground, taking the lead inside nine minutes through Joe Neild. However, Norwich equalised before the break and went ahead after the restart.

Despite trailing late on, Murty’s team refused to give up. Substitute Tom Proctor levelled the game in the 89th minute with his first touch, before Marcus Neill netted a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time to seal all three points.

Murty reflects on Sunderland’s comeback

Speaking after the match, Murty praised the determination and progress shown by his players.

“I thought it was exactly what the lads deserved,” he told Sunderland’s in-house media. “We created plenty of chances, played some really good football, and got into great positions but just couldn’t find the clinical finish at times. We controlled the game much better in the second half and made some strong adjustments. Towards the end, we were definitely the team pushing.”

Murty admitted his disappointment with the goals conceded but emphasised the positives in his team’s resilience.

“The lads showed real development in their character and communication — that was one of our key targets,” he continued. “They’ve defined what our defensive principles look like and focused on three main areas today. You could really see that improvement after the break. To win the game in that fashion says a lot about their mentality and desire to keep going.”

He also underlined the club’s commitment to development and opportunity within the youth setup.

“We believe in our pathway, in challenging our young players, and in setting high standards,” said Murty. “But just as importantly, we believe in giving them opportunities. We made attacking changes and brought on younger players — and they proved exactly why we trust them. They can surprise you, excite you, and today, they made the difference.”

A learning journey for the young squad

Murty also reflected on the recent challenges his players have faced, with several featuring for the U18s in the Durham Challenge Cup defeat to Dunston UTS earlier in the week.

“It’s been a varied week — some successes, some tough lessons, and plenty of learning,” he explained. “Our staff are fantastic in understanding that development isn’t linear. These different experiences all contribute to the players’ education. We’re giving them the support, challenges, and opportunities they need to grow.”

He stressed the importance of consistency and mindset in the development process.

“Every game is a chance to learn and show what you can do,” Murty added. “This is a results-driven industry, and players must understand how to win — but also that consistent effort and attitude matter most. Sometimes you’ll win playing poorly, and sometimes you’ll lose after a great performance. What counts is maintaining the same intensity and work rate every time.”

Murty concluded by praising the club’s learning environment, saying it equips players with the right values to succeed both on and off the pitch.