If the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international keeps up his current goal-scoring run — he has five since his move to Wearside — McCarthy will have unearthed a gem.
Elliott struck twice yesterday to ensure Sunderland registered their third win in seven days. The 20-year-old opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he intelligently held the ball up before laying it off for Sunderland’s talismanic midfielder Julio Arca. The Argentinian’s drive was parried by goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, but Elliott reacted to force in the rebound.
Preston, still managerless following the sacking of Craig Brown, replied with a disputed 39th-minute penalty by Graham Alexander after Steve Caldwell had baulked striker Richard Cresswell.
Arca’s protest earned him a yellow card, but a similarly harsh-looking decision in first-half stoppage time restored Sunderland’s lead. Alexander was penalised for pulling down Marcus Stewart. Lonergan saved the kick, but midfielder Darren Carter, 20, on loan from Birmingham and making his debut, rammed home the loose ball.
Sunderland allowed Preston no time to rally after the break, Elliott adding his second early in the second period. Left-back George McCartney delivered a low centre that the striker streered beyond Lonergan.
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McCarthy was justifiably satisfied with his side’s sixth place in the Championship table, but his mood was somewhat tempered by concern for midfielder Carl Robinson, carried off after an apparent clash of heads with Brian O’Neil.
Robinson was signed on a free transfer from Portsmouth this summer and has proved an influential performer.
McCarthy said; “He went up for the ball and the next thing I saw he was lying on the ground. He’s been a really good signing and he is a good character.”
McCarthy has also been delighted with Elliott’s impact at a time when Sunderland are without striker Kevin Kyle for three months with a hip injury. “Stephen is a good player and we knew he could score,” said McCarthy. “He hadn’t done it at this level, but I was confident he would.”
Billy Davies, Preston’s acting manager, said: “On the day, we didn’t have the players to come to a place like Sunderland.”