Sunderland 5-1 York City: Everything you need to know from the LNER Community Stadium
Sunderland ran out comfortable winners in their first pre-season friendly of the summer
Sunderland were back in action for the first time in 2026/27 as they took on York City in their first pre-season friendly.
Régis Le Bris fielded two different sides through the game, with his more experienced XI scoring four first-half goals before the youngsters took over in a steady second-half showing. We were at the LNER Community Stadium and here’s everything you need to know about how it panned out...
First half
Sunderland started brightly and took just four minutes to get on the scoresheet, Le Fee starting the move on the left flank and carrying his run to the edge of the box. Sunderland built up nicely through Hume and then Ta Bi, who teed up Le Fee for his first time effort. Though he was perhaps aided by the initial bounce, his precise finish found the bottom corner and he thought he had a second when he audaciously dinked the goalkeeper just minutes later. The pass from Tutierov, however, had been delayed just too long and the offside flag was raised.
To their credit York City weren't ruffled by the early goal and through the first half an hour spent long spells in possession, moving the ball nicely and putting one or two dangerous crosses into the box. Melker Ellborg was untested apart from one smart block where the offside flag was eventually raised, and as half time approached the visitors began to turn the screw. Nordi Mukiele landed a big sliding challenge just inside the York City half and after an audacious backheel from Le Fee, Chris Rigg flashed a long-range effort just wide of the far post. When Hume slid him in inside the box moments later, Rigg showed great composure to delicately cut his finish under pressure back across goal and into the bottom corner.
There would be two more goals for Sunderland before the break, the first a superb finish from youngster Timur Tutierov as he drove infield and with the home defence expecting a cross curled an excellent finish into the far corner. Tutierov then showed good composure under pressure when Mukiele landed another big challenge and set him away on goal, the winger sliding in Le Fee who finished first time on his weaker foot.
Sunderland had not dominated the half necessarily in terms of possession but their technical quality was clear and there was much for Le Bris to pleased about. The application good, the defending resolute when required and with promising cameos from the likes of Ta Bi and Browne. Those expected to be in the starting XI come the start of the campaign were top class and looked ready to kick on.
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The second half was wide open to begin with, Sunderland's youngsters looking dangerous and going close through Geragusian and Whittaker who had a shot blocked from relatively close range. They suffered a setback when a corner from the right-hand side flew into the goal with goalkeeper Moore rooted to the spot, but responded in impressive fashion.
Charlie Dinsdale, who'd been a real threat throughout the half, did well to beat his man and cut back inside where his cross was headed home from close range by midfield Tom Proctor. The Black Cats should have extended their lead further when capitalising in some slack York passing at the box, but with the goal gaping Dinsdale and Scott got in each other's way and the chance passed.
Sunderland moved the ball nicely and looked a real threat, but were indebted to Jenson Seelt for some excellent last-ditch defending when York City were able to break in numbers. SUnderland's momentum was checked by an injury to Leo Hjelde midway through the half, the hosts increasingly dominant even if Moore had little to do in the way of major saves. York had changed their entire outfield on the hour mark and the fresh legs helped them dictate the game.
To their credit Sunderland’s youngsters defended resolutely and protected their goalkeeper well, holding firm thanks to another strong covering challenge from the impressive Seelt. The second half finished 1-1, a 5-1 win for the visitors over the course of 90 minutes.