Hartlepool 1-3 Sunderland: Black Cats pick up friendly win after goals from Gyan, Colback & Larsson

Sunderland managed to pick up a win in their seventh pre-season friendly of the summer as they came back from one-goal down against Hartlepool.

The match was organised as a testimonial for long-serving Hartlepool player Ritchie Humphreys who made 480 appearances for the club and it got off to the perfect start for the home side.

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Former Newcastle United and Aston Villa midfielder Nolberto Solano opened the scoring as he smashed home an Andy Monkhouse cross from 12-yards out after the Sunderland defence failed to pick up his run.

The visitors equalised on the half-hour mark as Seb Larsson crossed toward Asamoah Gyan and the Ghanaian managed to beat the offside trap before heading in off the post.

The first half finished 1-1, however Sunderland had the ball in the net once again just three minutes into the second 45 as Kieran Richardson linked well with Jack Colback before the young midfielder shot from the left-side of the box and put his side into the lead.

Just under 10 minutes later, Larsson grabbed one for himself after good work by Stephane Sessegnon as the Benin international cut the ball back towards Gyan, but the former Rennes forward missed the ball allowing it to fall invitingly for the Swede.

For the last 10 minutes, the hosts were in control as they looked to pressure Sunderland with the view to at least grabbing one goal back, but Anton Ferdinand and Wes Brown were in no mood to concede any more goals and the Black Cats’ backline stood strong.