RC Lens 0-2 Sunderland: Everything you need to know as Black Cats seal impressive win
Sunderland were back in action on Saturday as the new Premier League season draws near
Sunderland made it back-to-back pre-season wins with an impressive performance against RC Lens on Saturday.
The Ligue 1 club finished second in the league last season and with the Stade Bollaert-Delelis packed to the rafters, Le Bris and his side had the stern test they’d have hoped for a fortnight away from the new campaign. Though in the first half they struggled to create clear chances, they largely controlled the game and a more clinical edge in the second half made all the difference.
Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor were both on the scoresheet in a win that was encouragingly comfortable if not sparkling. Robin Roefs was a bystander for much of the contest, with RC Lens producing only a handful of half chances through the game.
As expected, Le Bris selected as strong a side as possible as he begins to focus on the core of the squad who will begin the Premier League campaign later this month.
Nordi Mukiele was a concerning absentee, with Omar Alderete also absent as was widely expected. That meant a debut for Thomas Meunier and another chance for Luke O'Nien to impress, with the club stalwart now seemingly in pole position to start on opening day.
Meunier started brightly, often combining with Enzo Le Fée as he drifted into the right-hand channel. It was a stop-start contest to begin with, probably slightly shaded by Sunderland. The visitors went close to taking the lead when Xhaka, so influential throughout the half, found Le Fée inside the box. The midfielder had his shot blocked but it dropped into the path of Hume, who unfurled a brilliant first-time volley that left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot but struck the crossbar.
In truth that was the only real goalmouth action of the first half, though Sunderland did come close twice just before the interval. Brobbey smashed an effort off the crossbar after gathering a pass from Le Fée, before Meunier scored a backpost header from Xhaka's cross only to see the whistle blown for a foul. Though RC Lens had once or twice managed to get their wing backs into promising positions, Sunderland defended their box with relative ease and Robin Roefs was largely a bystander through the opening 45. Sunderland had moved the ball nicely throughout and got into promising positions, but weren't just able to find the right pass and in fairness met a very good Lens back three equal to the task.
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There was a noticeable shift in intensity from RC Lens at the start of the second half, the hosts moving the ball quicker and pressing higher up the pitch. With Xhaka and Meunier withdrawn at the interval to manage their return, it took a little while for Sunderland to establish a foothold in the half. That they did, and they took the lead moments after a triple substitution from Le Bris. Rigg was one of the three brought on and combined nicely with Le Fée after O’Nien had done well to keep the move alive from the corner. Rigg crossed wonderfully well on his left foot and Hume showed great desire to beat the goalkeeper and head home.
The Black Cats could well have made it two shortly after the hydration break as they continued to largely control the game, but Seelt was unable to connect with a cross into the box when well placed and Lens were reprieved. The hosts tried to step up and and seize the initiative but Sunderland opened them up on the break with a superb team goal. Rigg had drifted into a central position and set Talbi away down the wing with an audacious flick. The winger picked his moment to cross well and Wilson Isidor beat the goalkeeper with a smart finish on his weaker foot.
It was not a performance of total dominance from Sunderland but their control was reflected in the fact that Roefs did not have make a save until around the 70th minute. The Black Cats looked well organised and took their chances in the second half, which will hugely encourage Le Bris as the new season edges closer.