There is little to take Heart from as Cats wounded

SUNDERLAND suffered a second defeat of preseason after losing 3-0 at Tynecastle against Hearts for goalkeeper Craig Gordon's testimonial.

- By JOE RAMAGE

Having enjoyed a productive warm-weather training camp in Portugal, the Black Cats made the trip to Edinburgh to celebrate former goalkeeper Gordon. But they were second-best throughout as the Scottish Premiership side came away with a comfortable win thanks to goals from Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis.

Braga nodded in after little more than 10 minutes following a cheap turnover in possession from Regis Le Bris’ side before Shankland swept in a fine second midway through the second half.

A slightly worrying afternoon for the 3,000-plus travelling fans was compounded five minutes from time when Kyziridis capitalised on a poor ball from Noah Sadiki to beat Simon Moore from close range.

A sluggish Sunderland rarely threatened the Hearts goal, with Derek McInnes’ side unfortunate not to add to their tally, as attentions will quickly turn to the trip to Hull City tomorrow with preparations for the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League continuing to ramp up.

Le Bris named a strong starting XI with new signings Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra all in from the off, along with captain Dan Neil who anchored the midfield.