The 2016/17 Premier League curtain raiser ended in less than memorable fashion for Sunderland and David Moyes as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.
Only weeks into the job, it was always going to be a tough ask for Moyes to come away from the Etihad on the opening weekend of the season with anything as he’s still trying to piece together his squad.
The former Manchester United manager handed an immediate debut to Donald Love at right-back while giving Lynden Gooch his first start for the club as the Black Cats looked to employ a counter-attacking approach to the game.
Moyes was forced to rip up his notes just four minutes into the game after Patrick van Aanholt felled Raheem Sterling in the box, giving City a spot kick which Sergio Aguero expertly put away.
City continued to dominate possession in the first half without creating many clear-cut chances as Sunderland looked to soak up the pressure and get through to half-time just one down so they can regroup.
Just before the interval, Jermain Defoe latched onto a looping Lamine Kone header but his first-time effort was parried away by Willy Caballero who spread himself wide.
Sunderland began to grow into the second half as Moyes introduced Adnan Januzaj and Wahbi Khazri into the fray to add some attacking impetus in the final half hour and it was the Belgian who made an impact.
The Manchester United loanee threaded through a ball between the City defence into the path of Defoe who brought it under his control and calmly slotted home under Caballero to give the Black Cats an unexpected equaliser.
Looking to consolidate the game and secure a point for his side, Moyes brought off the danger-man Defoe for Paddy McNair to sure up the defence for the final minutes of the game, but it backfired majorly.
Navas’ probing run on the right resulted in a fizzed ball across the face of goal which took a nick off Kelechi Iheanacho and hit McNair square in the face. Unable to get out of the way of the cross, McNair inadvertently put the ball into his own net to gift City the lead just three minutes from time.
They went on to see out the game and secure all three points, and David Moyes’ side will feel unlucky about how they conceded the winner.
All in all, there weren’t many positives to take from the game for Moyes and Co. other than the fact that Jermain Defoe hasn’t lost his scoring boots over the summer which is vital in their bid for Premier League survival.
Sunderland welcome Middlesbrough to the Stadium of Light next weekend. Boro got off to a solid start as they drew 1-1 with Stoke in their first Premier League game for seven years.
A lot of work will need to go in on the training field over the next few days as Sunderland cannot employ the same negative tactics at home in front of their own fans.
