Regis Le Bris named an extremely strong starting XI and squad at the 1st Cloud Arena, with a development team – including several senior fringe players – drawing 2-2 at Gateshead earlier in the day.
Habib Diarra made his Sunderland debut at Shields and set up Romaine Mundle for Sunderland’s second goal on the stroke of half time, which followed Wilson Isidor’s opener after just two minutes.
Le Bris made 11 changes at half-time and Milan Aleksic scored Sunderland’s third before Ahmed Abdullahi wrapped up the win in the last minute.
STRONG EXIT CLUES
After this week’s late change of plan, Sunderland opted not to split their first team but send the development squad to Hebburn to face Gateshead.
But it wasn’t just youngsters who lined up for the side managed by Graeme Murty’s in Saturday’s first friendly.
The squad also featured a group of senior players who were either on the fringes or out on loan last season and will be available to leave this summer.
The likes of Hemir, Adboullah Ba, Nazariy Rusyn and Ian Poveda were all included and it would take the most unlikely turn of events or change of mind for any of those to be able to force their way into Le Bris’ plans for coming season.
Joe Anderson and Trey Ogunsuyi scored for Sunderland in a 2-2 draw, with all four goals coming in the first half.
FIRST GLIMPSE OF DIARRA
Habib Diarra was very much the star attraction at Shields, the only one of Sunderland’s six new signings who was available to feature. And he didn’t disappoint.
The 21-year-old offered an encouraging glimpse of what he’ll bring to the Sunderland midfield.
He was neat and tidy in possession, combative out of it and galloped across the ground. There was an impressive simplicity to his play, and he was as comfortable in the opposition half as he was his own, teeing up Mundle for Sunderland’s second goal on the stroke of half-time.
Alongside him in the first half midfield, Le Fee was the best player on the pitch. It was when the Frenchman dropped into a deeper central role that May’s play-off final swung in Sunderland’s favour. The Wembley showcase and the pre-season opener are obviously incomparable but Le Fee was class, setting Isidor away for his second minute opener and almost getting on the scoresheet himself when he was superbly denied by home goalkeeper Jasper Sheik.
HUGGINS DELIGHT
There were several positives to come out of the second friendly for Le Bris, but one of the most pleasing and significant was undoubtedly the return to action for Niall Huggins.
A fair bit has changed on Wearside since the popular right-back last pulled on his boots for a game in December, 2023. But what hasn’t changed is Sunderland’s view on the 24-year-old, who has always been extremely highly rated at the Stadium of Light.
He clearly has a huge task on his hands to dislodge Trai Hume, but the return of Huggins will ensure the Northern Ireland international has some much-needed cover and competition.
ROBERTS MAKES HIS MARK
Since that wonderful Wembley afternoon for Sunderland and after playing a pivotal role in helping the Black Cats win promotion, Partick Roberts has seen Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra arrive as competitors for a starting spot on the flank.
A reminder of what Roberts is capable of was of course not required but the 28-year-old certainly made his mark at the 1st Cloud Arena. It was Roberts’ defence-splitting pass that set up Aleksic for Sunderland’s third, and the winger’s speed of thought and close control bewildered the home defenders on more than one occasion.
STRIKER’S RETURN
How frustrating a first season at Sunderland it turned out to be for Ahmed Abdullahi. Carrying a groin problem that required surgery when he arrived, the young striker was always playing catch-up and didn’t make a single appearance for the first team.
But Abdullahi and Sunderland will be hoping those issues are now behind him, and this was a bright start to the summer for the striker.
He looked sharp and bright in the second half, rewarded for his willing and powerful running with a goal with what was almost the last kick of the game.
With another forward likely to arrive in the coming weeks, the 21-year-old will clearly have his work cut out this coming season, but after last season’s frustrations he’ll be desperate to take any opportunity he gets. And this was an encouraging start.
SUNDERLAND FIRST HALF XI: Patterson, Huggins, Ballard, Seelt, Jones, Tuterov, Browne, Mundle, Diarra, Le Fée, Isidor.
SUNDERLAND SECOND HALF XI: Moore, Hume, Triantis, Johnson, Jones, Middlemas, Neil, Aleksic, Roberts, Mayenda, Abdullahi