Hartlepool 1-0 Sunderland: Howard strike condemns Black Cats to friendly defeat
Former Derby County striker took advantage of an early mistake from Titus Bramble to give Neale Cooper's men the win despite the Premier League side's second-half dominance
By Simon Sinclair at Victoria Park
Getty Images
Steve Howard scored the only goal of the game as Hartlepool beat Sunderland 1-0 in a pre-season clash at Victoria Park.
Neale Cooper's side took the lead when a chipped ball over the Black Cats defence was not dealt with by Titus Bramble and the former Derby striker took full advantage by robbing the centre-back before powering a shot into the bottom corner.
The Premier League side had plenty of chances to get an equaliser but Pools keeper Scott Flinders was in sensational form, twice denying Fraizer Campbell with great saves to his right whilst also tipping an effort from Connor Wickham over the bar to help his side secure the win.
Martin O'Neill was without star men James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon while Sebastian Larsson and John O'Shea were again rested following their exploits in Euro 2012 this summer.
Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet overcame an injury knock to start between the sticks, while Wickham led the line for the Black Cats alongside youngster Ryan Noble.
The home side started the game well and took the lead through Howard who pounced on a mistake from Bramble and fired the ball past Mignolet after the former Newcastle defender had blocked his first effort.
Pools could have doubled their lead minutes later when Antony Sweeney drove down the right but his pass to Luke James was intercepted at the last possible moment by David Meyler, saving a sure goal.
Sunderland were sloppy in possession for the majority of the first-half but some individual brilliance from Jack Colback carved out an opportunity for Noble as the midfielder nutmegged his man before hitting a pinpoint cross but the youngster was unable to turn his header goalwards.
The Black Cats threatened again just before half-time as Campbell raided down the right and did well to cut the ball back to Meyler on the edge of the box but he hit his effort straight at Flinders in the Hartlepool goal.
O'Neill's side came out after the interval and immediately were on the attack. After good play down the right from Lee Cattermole, Campbell was presented with a good chance but his left-footed shot was well saved by Flinders.
The Wearsiders were becoming more and more dangerous as the game progressed and should have equalised through Kieran Richardson after Cattermole found him with a wonderful through ball on the counter attack, yet the former Manchester United man fired his effort wide of the post.
Pools seemed content to sit back on their lead and this led to further opportunities for Sunderland, forcing Flinders to be at his best to prevent Wickham and Campbell with nimble saves in quick succession.
O'Neill's side continued to threaten the Hartlepool goal but were thwarted by some good last ditch defending as they succumbed to their second defeat of pre-season.
Neale Cooper's side took the lead when a chipped ball over the Black Cats defence was not dealt with by Titus Bramble and the former Derby striker took full advantage by robbing the centre-back before powering a shot into the bottom corner.
The Premier League side had plenty of chances to get an equaliser but Pools keeper Scott Flinders was in sensational form, twice denying Fraizer Campbell with great saves to his right whilst also tipping an effort from Connor Wickham over the bar to help his side secure the win.
Martin O'Neill was without star men James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon while Sebastian Larsson and John O'Shea were again rested following their exploits in Euro 2012 this summer.
Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet overcame an injury knock to start between the sticks, while Wickham led the line for the Black Cats alongside youngster Ryan Noble.
The home side started the game well and took the lead through Howard who pounced on a mistake from Bramble and fired the ball past Mignolet after the former Newcastle defender had blocked his first effort.
Pools could have doubled their lead minutes later when Antony Sweeney drove down the right but his pass to Luke James was intercepted at the last possible moment by David Meyler, saving a sure goal.
Sunderland were sloppy in possession for the majority of the first-half but some individual brilliance from Jack Colback carved out an opportunity for Noble as the midfielder nutmegged his man before hitting a pinpoint cross but the youngster was unable to turn his header goalwards.
The Black Cats threatened again just before half-time as Campbell raided down the right and did well to cut the ball back to Meyler on the edge of the box but he hit his effort straight at Flinders in the Hartlepool goal.
O'Neill's side came out after the interval and immediately were on the attack. After good play down the right from Lee Cattermole, Campbell was presented with a good chance but his left-footed shot was well saved by Flinders.
The Wearsiders were becoming more and more dangerous as the game progressed and should have equalised through Kieran Richardson after Cattermole found him with a wonderful through ball on the counter attack, yet the former Manchester United man fired his effort wide of the post.
Pools seemed content to sit back on their lead and this led to further opportunities for Sunderland, forcing Flinders to be at his best to prevent Wickham and Campbell with nimble saves in quick succession.
O'Neill's side continued to threaten the Hartlepool goal but were thwarted by some good last ditch defending as they succumbed to their second defeat of pre-season.
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Results
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Final
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edin Dzeko Striker Manchester City |
2 | 0 |
|
César Azpilicueta Defender Chelsea |
1 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
1 | 0 |
|
Micah Richards Defender Manchester City |
1 | 0 |
|
Javi García Midfielder Manchester City |
1 | 0 |
