Sunderland rounded off their pre-season preparations with a draw against League Two Hartlepool United at Victoria Park. The Black Cats fell behind inside two minutes to an own goal, with the ball deflected past Jacob Carney.
But they responded well after that early setback and created a series of chances. They had to wait until first half injury time to get back on terms, however, when Jack Diamond drew a foul inside the penalty area and Elliot Embleton stepped up to convert the spot kick.
More chances came and went in the second half, with Luke O'Nien coming closest to scoring a winner when he slid the ball against the post. Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
READ MORE: Hartlepool 1-1 Sunderland as Embleton's penalty earns draw in final friendly
Jacob Carney 6
No chance with the goal and was otherwise hardly tested
Carl Winchester 7
Solid on the right side of the back three
Danny Batth 7
Played in the middle of the back three and kept the defence organised
Aji Alese 6
A little uncertain at times, but generally did OK
Trai Hume 7
Defended well and got forward whenever he could
Jay Matete 7
Worked hard at the base of the midfield diamond
Luke O'Nien 7
The width of a post away from scoring in the second half
Elliot Embleton 8
Sunderland's most dangerous player, he converted the penalty and also forced the keeper into multiple saves
Harrison Sohna 7
Impressed at left wingback
Ellis Taylor 7
Operated in midfield and caused Hartlepool problems when he got into advanced positions
Jack Diamond 7
Did a decent job leading the line, and won the penalty in the first half
Subs
Michael Spellman N/A
For Sohna 84mins.
Not used: Patterson, Wright, Ballard, Stewart, Cirkin, Evans, Roberts, Neil, Pritchard, Clarke, Gooch
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