Sunderland forward Benjamin Kimpioka got his first senior goal for the Black Cats earlier this week.
Sunderland beat Carlisle United 3-1 in midweek to go top of their Checkatrade Trophy group at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats were forced to play fringe players and academy graduates with their squad currently blighted by injuries and all of the starting line-up impressed, in particular young forward Benjamin Kimpioka.
The 18-year-old scored the opening goal of the match and impressed throughout the game, filling the void left by talisman Josh Maja and Kimpioka certainly showed signs of being the next best thing on Wearside.
19-year-old Maja has nine goals in 12 games in League One this season and the Sunderland forward currently tops the goal-scoring charts in League One.
But an ankle problem kept him out of his sides clash with Carlisle in midweek and it was down to Under-23 forward Kimpioka to lead the line.
And the youngster did just that in fantastic fashion, scoring his first senior goal within just 123 seconds of being on the pitch with a beautiful glancing header.
Kimpioka’s all-round frenetic performance was one that was beyond his years, with the Swede constantly chasing down every loose ball and looking a danger in front of goal throughout, causing the Carlisle defenders problems.
The youngster also became the first ever Sunderland goalscorer born in this century and Kimpioka looks a real prospect for the future and one for manager Jack Ross to give a chance to this term.
With talk of Maja leaving the Stadium of Light, is it possible that Sunderland already have the next Maja waiting in the wings?
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