Ellis Simms made the perfect start to life at Sunderland as the former Hearts loanee netted twice for his new club in their English Championship win over Bristol City.
The Everton hitman scored a brilliant low effort to hand the Black Cats the advantage after just for minutes but Andreas Weimann brought the hosts level just six minutes later. Chris Martin then put the home side into a 2-1 lead early in the second period but Simms showed his class with excellent footwork before finishing to draw his new side level two minutes later.
Former Ross County and Scotland international Ross Stewart - who was a key man in the promotion bid last term - netted the winner to send the visiting fans wild and secure a big three points on the road for the newly promoted side. The result makes it four points from a possible six for Simms and Co as they sit second in the table after the first couple of games. Next up is a clash with QPR and a familiar face to Scottish football in former Rangers coach Michael Beale.
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Speaking about his debut, Simms told the Sunderland website: "Yeah it is a dream really. Good result and I am also happy to help the team with the two goals.
"We just need to build on this now and get a run going. We dug in at 2-1 and it is positive we got the three points and we are going to build on it.
"It was amazing [the fans]. They were even signing a song and I have only been here a week or so. It is a great feeling and I just want to make them proud. As long as I help the team out I am sure they will be happy with me."
Asked what goal he was most pleased with, he added: "I would say the first one. It is early on in the game, I took a touch and hit it. It is very early on and the keeper isn't maybe set but I think once that went in it lifted us and gave us a bit of momentum."
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