The Black Cats ace scored against Man City’s Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy. His last goal before then was in a Premier League win.
Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore has spoken out about scoring his first goal in nearly three years for the club.
The Black Cats ace has endured several tough years after having to recover from two ACL injuries, during which time the club dropped from the Premier League into League One.
Prior to his goal against Manchester City Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-finals this week, Watmore last struck in a 3-0 Premier League win against Norwich City in April 2016, according to the Sunderland Echo.
That the 24-year-old has gone from scoring in the Premier League to scoring against a top-flight academy side in a competition designed for League One and League Two teams shows just how much has changed at the club in between those two goals.
However, much like Sunderland itself, Watmore is now on the mend and has so far made 10 outings this season, with boss Jack Ross managing his comeback cautiously given the events of the last three years.
Speaking to the Northern Echo, the forward – whose effort against Notts County was attributed as an own goal – said of his strike against the Citizens: “It was probably a bit of joy and a bit of relief.
“When you miss that many games through injury there’s not much you can do to add to your goals tally so it’s nice when you get back to score. I really enjoyed the moment but it was important we won and we have to keep it all in perspective and move on.”
Bury, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers are the other three sides left in the Checkatrade Trophy, which means all the invited sides from the Premier League and Championship have been eliminated.
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