Sunderland made a fine statement of intent by smashing York 5-1 on Saturday in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
It may only have been a friendly but it was a proper win against the newly promoted League Two side at the LNER Community Stadium.
The Black Cats were at it right from the start. Timur Tutierov got in behind after just two minutes, but York’s keeper made a decent save.
On seven minutes, Enzo Le Fée took a pass from Jocelin Ta Bi, took a touch, and slotted a lovely 19-yard finish into the bottom corner.
1-0, and you could already tell it was going to be a long afternoon for York.
Tutierov was a menace all half, and Sunderland kept carving the hosts open.
They finally got the second when Trai Hume picked out Chris Rigg, who showed ice in his veins to roll it home from inside the box on 37 minutes.
Shortly before half-time, Tutierov got the goal he deserved — cutting in from the left and smashing an absolute rocket from 25 yards into the top corner.
Next, he turned provider, squaring for Le Fée to tap in his second of the game. 4-0 at the break. Game over.
More of the same in second half for Sunderland
Le Bris hooked the entire team at half-time, and York managed to pull one back when Greg Olley poked in from a corner.
The next goal arrived when Charlie Dinsdale moved well down the left and crossed for Tom Proctor to power a header home and make it 5-1.
Leo Hjelde picked up an injury and had to come off, otherwise it was a really comfortable and impressive opening run-out for The Lads.
Le Bris and the travelling Mackems would have been happy.
All in all, a very promising start to pre-season. The new boys looked sharp, Tutierov and Le Fée were on fire, and the scoreline flattered York if anything.
Nice one, Sunderland.
(First Half)– Ellborg, Reinildo, O’Nien (C), Mukiele, Hume, Rigg, Browne, Tutierov, Le Fée, Ta Bi, Ogunsuyi.
(Second Half) – Moore (GK/C), Alese, Hjelde (Kindon, ‘68), Seelt, Jen.Jones, Ja.Jones, Whittaker, Dinsdale, Proctor, Scott, Geragusian
