---
title: "Match Report: Sunderland under-21s reach Premier League Cup final after beating Blackburn in six-goal thriller"
canonical: "https://readsunderland.com/2026/04/15/match-report-sunderland-under-21s-reach-premier-league-cup-final-after-beating-blackburn-in-six-goal-thriller/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Samuel Johnson"
section: "Sunderland Match Reports"
published: "2026-04-15T19:56:22Z"
modified: "2026-04-15T19:56:22Z"
---

# Match Report: Sunderland under-21s reach Premier League Cup final after beating Blackburn in six-goal thriller

**Sunderland’s youth team overcame the worst possible start to get the better of Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light.**

Blackburn got off to an electric start, scoring in the second minute after Brandon Powell played a drilled cross to Joe Boggan, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

However, Sunderland struck back 10 minutes later. Harrison Jones played a one-touch ball to Jack Whittaker, who directed his finish into the bottom right corner.

> Jaydon Jones ➡️ Harrison Jones ➡️ Jack Whittaker\
> \
> Our Under-21s are level in tonight's [#PLCup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) semi-final 👇 [https://t.co/xXPfbBURPe](https://t.co/xXPfbBURPe) [pic.twitter.com/asiiPljzQ4](https://t.co/asiiPljzQ4)
>
> — SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) [April 15, 2026](https://twitter.com/AcademyOfLight/status/2044480306405642461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Then in the 19th minute, Jaydon Jones took the lead for the hosts, volleying a perfectly weighted cross past the Blackburn goalkeeper.

> 😤 From one down to two-one up!\
> \
> Jaydon Jones pokes our Under-21s ahead in tonight's [#PLCup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) semi-final 👇 [https://t.co/awCCunS2Wa](https://t.co/awCCunS2Wa) [pic.twitter.com/3T7VneK5WR](https://t.co/3T7VneK5WR)
>
> — SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) [April 15, 2026](https://twitter.com/AcademyOfLight/status/2044482126087700724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

It did not take long for Rovers to draw level again. The right winger made a brilliant run, beating two defenders before his low ball into the box found Powell, who was bound to score from such close range.

The Black Cats had a couple of opportunities to re-establish their lead, but were unable to take advantage. However, after an initial save by the visiting shot-stopper, captain Harrison Jones put his team back in front with an effort which spun into the left side of the goal.

> A seventh goal of the season for Harrison Jones 🙌\
> \
> Our Under-21s are back in front at the SoL 👇 [https://t.co/ysKN6KqqKD](https://t.co/ysKN6KqqKD) [pic.twitter.com/PxMZoZrbqo](https://t.co/PxMZoZrbqo)
>
> — SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) [April 15, 2026](https://twitter.com/AcademyOfLight/status/2044486214271578137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Half-time: Sunderland 3-2 Blackburn

## Sunderland remained on top in the second half

Powell should really have equalised early in the second half after running uncontested on the right side of the pitch. Despite this, his shot was a long way off target

The game was quiet for a while, but Sunderland doubled their advantage through Whittaker after the goalkeeper failed to claim a cross from Tom Proctor.

> Two goals to the good at the SoL 👊\
> \
> Jack Whittaker's second has our Under-21s 10 minutes away from the [#PLCup](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) final 👇 [https://t.co/vTMfjY6KAA](https://t.co/vTMfjY6KAA) [pic.twitter.com/HSNnKbx2iF](https://t.co/HSNnKbx2iF)
>
> — SAFC Academy (@AcademyOfLight) [April 15, 2026](https://twitter.com/AcademyOfLight/status/2044501107460706767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

After this, clear-cut chances rarely came around for either team, despite the fact Blackburn kept on pushing for a goal.

In the end, it was a deserved victory for Sunderland, who will face Burnley in the Premier League Cup final.

Full-time: Sunderland 4-2 Blackburn