The story of the day as Aiden McGeady's brace fires Sunderland to encouraging pre-season win at Hearts
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After a draw at Spennymoor Town a fortnight ago, followed by two behind closed doors fixtures against local opponents last weekend, the Black Cats headed to Tynecastle ready for a step-up in opposition.
Lee Johnson’s side have been based in Edinburgh for the majority of the week as part of a pre-season training camp and will hope to end a fruitful week with victory against the Scottish Premiership side.
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Hide AdThe game could saw summer signings Corry Evans and Callum Doyle handed their debuts – while Aiden McGeady featured for the first time since penning fresh contracts.
A number of the club’s promising youngsters were also be involved.
Phil Smith and Mark Donnelly were at the game for The Echo, bringing you build-up, team news, match coverage, analysis, insight, reaction and more from the pre-season fixture – which you can relive here.
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FT: Hearts 0-2 Sunderland AFC (McGeady 15, 42)
Key Events
- Sunderland travel to Tynecastle in their second public pre-season friendly.
- Lee Johnson is again set to experiment with his squad ahead of the new League One season.
- SAFC XI: Patterson, Winchester, Doyle, Flanagan, Dyce, Neil, Embleton, McGeady, Gooch, O’Brien, Stewart
34 - CHANCE!
A big opportunity for O’Brien to double Sunderland’s lead!
The forward seizes on some poor defending and weaves his way towards goal.
It’s a perfect angle for the shot but O’Brien sees his effort repelled by Stewart before the hosts can clear the danger.
He probably should have done better there.
35 - Now a chance for Hearts!
Walker gets away from Dyce and pulls back a low ball that is begging to be fired home.
Mackay-Steven tries to connect, but a combination of Doyle, Flanagan and Patterson keeps him out - with the stopper eventually claiming the ball.
40 - OFF THE BAR!
Another big chance for Sunderland!
Embleton’s corner is superb and Hearts can’t fully clear, allowing O’Brien to connect with an acrobatic effort.
It has Stewart well beaten but cannons back off the bar.
So close!
42 - GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLL! McGEADYYYYY!
IT IS TWO!
Gooch spins away from three players and then plays a fine ball into the path of McGeady - who sweeps home into the near post from the edge of the box.
A great move, and a real promising display from the Black Cats.
It’s been coming, as Sunderland have been very good in the last few minutes.
2-0!
HT: HEARTS 0-2 SUNDERLAND
And Lee Johnson will no doubt be very, very pleased with that.
Sunderland have dealt with the spells of Hearts pressure well and have been clinical and creative in the final third. It could even be more than 2-0, with O’Brien spurning two good chances.
Plenty to be positive about at the break!
51 - A cagey start to the second half
Little to write home about thus far, with some early Hearts pressure not sustained.
The Black Cats have grown into the half and are seeing more of the ball now - but there’s no chances as of yet.