Tyias Browning featured for Sunderland against Hartlepool on Tuesday.
Sunderland’s pre-season preparations continued on Tuesday night, as they travelled to nearby Hartlepool United – and came away with a 2-1 victory.
The Black Cats were hammered 3-0 by St Johnstone over the weekend, but hit back in some way with a win at Victoria Park on Tuesday.
Simon Grayson
Joel Asoro was brought down by Louis Laing for a penalty on 27 minutes, with youngster Josh Maja converting from the spot to put Sunderland in front.
Hartlepool did hit back as Ryan Donaldson equalised, but Sunderland did claim the win when Jeremain Lens curled home a superb free kick to seal a 2-1 victory.
Simon Grayson will be pleased to have bounced back from the St Johnstone horror show, though the priority right now is fitness and getting his players ready for the start of the Championship season.
One of his new signings played for an hour at Victoria Park, with Tyias Browning partnering Lamine Kone in the heart of the Sunderland defence on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United’s Christian Atsu in action with Tyias Browning
The 23-year-old, who has joined Sunderland on loan from Everton, can also play at right back, but appears to have impressed Black Cats fans with his performance as a centre back against Hartlepool.
Fans took to Twitter to praise Browning’s display, labelling him the man of the match and a potential gem having shown a great reading of the game in Tuesday’s friendly.
What did you think of Browning’s display against Hartlepool?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
