Sunderland's US Pre-Season Win: Black Cats Dominate Wrexham
Sunderland concluded their US pre-season tour with a 1-0 win over Wrexham, with Nordi Mukiele scoring the decisive goal. The Black Cats' youngsters stood firm to end the trip on a high.
What Happened?
Sunderland started the game brightly, with Habib Diarra enjoying the chance to play in an attacking role. He almost got Sunderland up and running inside two minutes when he made a trademark run beyond the defence into the channel, his low cutback turned just wide of the far post by a stretching Romaine Mundle on his weaker foot. Most of Wrexham's best moments came early doors as they started the game with a good level of intensity, Dan Ballard recovering well to block one effort from Kieffer Moore.
Why it Matters for Sunderland
Sunderland began to assert a pleasing level of dominance over the game and only a little rustiness in the final third prevented them from going ahead. Brobbey had a shot blocked when he maybe could have released the ball to Diarra earlier, while one or two dangerous low crosses were just hacked clear by the Wrexham defence. In what would be a sign of things to come, Mukiele also threatened when he burst into the box to meet a pass but saw his low effort blocked by Okonkwo at the near post.
What Comes Next?
Sunderland's control of the game and attacking threat for the opening hour will please Régis Le Bris, though knocks picked up by Mukiele and Simon Adingra over the course of the game were cause for concern. Despite the absence of Enzo Le Fée due to a slight knock, Sunderland started the game brightly with Habib Diarra enjoying the chance to play in an attacking role. The team is currently 7th in the Premier League, with 42 goals scored and 48 conceded (-6 goal difference). They are 31 points behind leaders Arsenal and are on a 3-game winning run, with their next fixture being against Ipswich on August 22nd.
