With United head coach Matthias Jaissle in attendance, the young Magpies trailed at the break following Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi's header before Kyran Thompson's impressive solo effort drew the hosts level, the London-born forward's third goal in as many starts at Under-21 level.

Newcastle fell behind shortly after equalising following Felix Scott's strike but late goals from substitutes Park Seung-soo and Vakhtang Salia, both introduced from the substitutes' bench, secured a first league win of the 2026/27 season for United's youngsters.

Under-21s Lead Coach Robbie Stockdale named an unchanged XI from the side which claimed a 2-1 away win against Hartlepool United in the National League Cup as United's youngsters targeted a third successive victory in a row across all competitions.

Johnny Emerson, who joined Newcastle's Academy in 2019, went close to opening the scoring in early fashion as the Carlisle-born forward carried out a neat one-two with Kyran Thompson but, after driving into the box, saw his low strike from an acute angle blocked by Sunderland goalkeeper Isaac Allan.

Emerson, who missed the entirety of last season after suffering an ACL injury, was unfortunate not to score his first goal since April 2025 after his stinging drive forced Allan into pushing the ball out for a corner with a strong left hand.

Matheos Ferreira, who made his senior debut for his boyhood club during a pre-season friendly against Gateshead in July 2026, took his turn in front of goal as the Berwick-born teenager beat Alexander Lienard to a loose ball inside the box but struck a low effort into the side-netting.

In the 37th minute, the visitors took the lead through Samuel-Ogunsuyi as Tom Proctor's dangerous free-kick from the right flank was glanced into the net by the Black Cats winger.

Emerson hit the post on the stroke of half-time as the 20-year-old, who made his first-team debut for the Magpies in a pre-season friendly against Hull City in July 2024, darted into the box before his resulting shot struck the inside of the left-hand post, with the loose ball falling kindly into the gloves of Allan.

Magpies goalkeeper Roman Dowell produced a vital stop to deny Sunderland from doubling their advantage as the 16-year-old, a representative of England at Under-18 level, kept out Ben Kindon's close-range header with a strong right hand following Proctor's dangerous corner.

Newcastle equalised in the 58th minute courtesy of Thompson's fine finish as the 17-year-old winger, named on the bench for the Magpies' Premier League win against Hull last month, drove towards goal from distance before firing a powerful effort into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

United's youngsters fell behind for a second time in the 63rd minute as Scott regained the Black Cats' one-goal cushion, driving into the box before driving a powerful strike into the roof of the net.

In the 70th minute, Newcastle drew level for a second time as Seung-soo scored in spectacular fashion, cutting inside from the left flank before curling the ball into the top right-hand corner.

Seung-soo almost turned from goalscorer to provider as the South Korean winger's teasing free-kick from the left flank was glanced narrowly wide of the target by Magpies defender Logan Watts before Kyle Fitzgerald, another substitute for the hosts, dragged a low effort wide of the target in the closing stages.

In the 85th minute, Newcastle took the lead through Salia's fifth goal of the season in all competitions at Under-21 level. After Fitzgerald's teasing cross from the left flank found the Georgian striker inside the box, the 19-year-old cleverly headed the ball into the far right-hand corner.

With eight minutes of stoppage-time awarded, Newcastle's second-string held firm in the dying stages to record maximum points on Tyneside.

Newcastle's second-string resume their Premier League Cup campaign on Friday, 30th October when hosting Peterborough United at Whitley Park (kick-off 7pm GMT).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Roman Dowell, Henry Johnson, Dylan Charlton, Logan Watts, Miodrag Pivaš, Scott Bailey (c), Johnny Emerson (Kyle Fitzgerald 67), Mason Miley (Jayden Kouossu 78), Afner Cá (Vakhtang Salia 51), Kyran Thompson (Alfie Seldon 67), Matheos Ferreira (Park Seung-soo 67).

Subs not used: Luke Craggs, Alex Walpole.