Darlington 2 Sunderland 4

SUNDERLAND overhauled a two-goal deficit to ensure their pre-season programme began with a 4-2 victory over North-East neighbours Darlington.

Some slack early defending from the Black Cats saw Darlington claim a two-goal advantage courtesy of strikes from Stephen Thompson and Adam Mitchell.

But Sunderland’s Premier League class eventually told, and after Emanuele Giaccherini pulled a goal back before the interval, Dick Advocaat’s side cut loose in the second half.

Danny Graham and Connor Wickham both found the target before Giaccherini claimed his second goal of the night, although Vito Mannone had to produce an excellent penalty save to deny Thompson as Darlington continued to produce some attractive play that belied their lowly status.

Sunderland named a strong starting line-up, with England internationals Wes Brown, Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe all featuring from the outset.

Darlington boss Martin Gray also named a much stronger side than had featured in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Durham City, with summer signings Kevin Burgess, Adam Nowakowski and Phil Turnbull all making their first appearance for the club.

The Quakers are preparing for life in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, and on the evidence of their start to tonight’s game, Gray’s side should be more than capable of handling a step up in level in the wake of last season’s promotion.

Nowakowski volleyed wide in the opening five minutes after Sunderland’s defence struggled to clear their lines following a cross from Nathan Cartman, and Darlington deservedly broke the deadlock three minutes later through Thompson.

Thompson struggled for consistency last season, but the left midfielder has always possessed an abundance of talent, and after Lee Cattermole clumsily conceded possession inside his own half, he swooped to drill a low 20-yard strike beyond Jordan Pickford and into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Thompson almost scored again moments later, but Pickford got down well to tip his long-range free-kick around the post.

Sunderland’s players only returned to pre-season training in the latter half of last week, and their rustiness was all too apparent before the interval.

Their first chance came in the 16th minute, with Johnson heading Liam Bridcutt’s cross wide, but that proved a rare moment of respite and Darlington doubled their lead two minutes later.

The success owed much to some dreadful Sunderland defending, with Bridcutt and Brown moving in completely different directions as a long ball was launched forward, affording Mitchell a clear run on goal.

Pickford was forced to leave his line in an attempt to close Mitchell down, and the midfielder nonchalantly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper’s head.

With neither side showing much inclination to defend, Sunderland’s blushes were partially spared as they clawed a goal back in the 23rd minute.

Johnson swung over a free-kick from the right, and with Darlington’s defenders standing motionless, Giaccherini stole in to steer home a close-range volley.

Both sides made a number of changes at the interval, and Darlington went close at the start of the second half as Nathan Cartman headed over from close range.

However, it was Sunderland who looked the more cohesive unit in the second half, and they levelled eight minutes after the interval.

Summer signing Adam Matthews, who came on at right-back at the interval, rolled the ball to Graham, and after jinking across the face of the area, the striker trickled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Darlington were given an immediate opportunity to restore their lead when substitute George Brady felled David Dowson in the box, but while Thompson struck his spot-kick crisply, Mannone got down brilliantly to claw the ball around the post.

The save was a significant one in terms of the outcome of the game, as Sunderland swept downfield six minutes later to claim the lead for the first time.

Johnson released Wickham down the right, and the former England Under-21 international lashed a powerful shot through the legs of Darlington goalkeeper Peter Jameson.

Mannone saved well from the on-song Thompson moments later, before Sunderland claimed a fourth goal as Giaccherini scored his second of the night. Johnson teed him up on the edge of the area, and the Italian drilled home a precise finish.

Darlington (4-4-2): Jameson; Brown (Trialist 74), Burgess (White 46), Hunter (Trialist 51), Galbraith (Watson 46); Mitchell (Youhill 46), Nowakowski (Portas 46), Turnbull (Scott 57), Thompson; Dowson (Trialist 57), Cartman (Trialist 57).

Sunderland (4-4-2): Pickford (Mannone 46); Jones (Robson 74), Brown (Brady 46), Beadling, van Aanholt (Matthews 46); Johnson, Bridcutt (Smith 74), Cattermole (Buckley 46), Giaccherini; Defoe (Wickham 46), Graham.