Positive night for Regis' Black Cats despite narrow defeat to Sporting

Sunderland fell to a narrow defeat against Sporting Lisbon despite producing a solid performance against the reigning Portuguese champions.

- Phil Smith

The Black Cats dominated the first half, but couldn't make their openings pay and were caught out by a sloppy piece of defending that allowed Francisco Trincao to score the winner.

Sporting dominated the second half against an inexperienced Sunderland XI, but created few chances in a far more sedate half.

As expected Le Bris again named two different sides in each half, and that the Cats went into the break 1-0 down reflected little of the balance of play.

Sunderland had been bright from the off, even if it was Sporting Lisbon dominating possession.

Sunderland were land were happy to sit in and wait for the moment to press and then break, perhaps a guide to how they will tackle the Premier League season.