Sunderland under-23s were dealt a blow in their penultimate friendly ahead of the 2016-17 Premier League 2 campaign as they suffered defeat at Leeds United.
A high-octane start saw Mallik Wilks put the hosts in front inside 60 seconds from the penalty spot before Andrew Nelson was denied by the ‘keeper’s feet from his own spot-kick on nine minutes.
Wilks then doubled Leeds' advantage on 37 minutes before Dan Wright’s close-range finish got the Lads back into the game in the second-half.
But any hopes of a comeback diminished when Alex Purver guided his header into the bottom corner as Leeds capitalised on a sluggish Sunderland display.
Fresh from a gruelling four-day training camp in the piercing Spanish heat, Andy Welsh took his side to Leeds United as the pressure continued to ramp up ahead of their season’s curtain-raiser against Chelsea on August 14.
But while intensity was highlighted ahead of kick-off, Sunderland were caught asleep in the first minute as James Talbot conceded a penalty.
George Brady failed to deal with a loose ball and that forced Talbot to concede a needless foul with just 60 seconds on the clock.While Talbot initially saved Wilks' penalty, the forward reacted quickest and lashed home the rebound.
A response was vital and with nine minutes on the clock the young Black Cats were presented with a route back into the game as Nelson’s persistence saw him win a penalty.
The striker’s powerful efforts caused havoc and he was felled inside the area as he chased down Dan Casey’s hopeful ball over the top.
But unlike Leeds’ spot-kick, Nelson saw his attempt well-saved by the feet of Leeds’ stopper.
Leeds were physical in their approach and doubled their advantage on 37 minutes after good play down the right wing saw Wilks head home from close-range.
Sunderland tried to temper the hosts’ resolve, but retaining possession proved to be their biggest problem as Dan Pybus, Elliot Embleton and Josh Maja had attempts blocked in the final minutes of the first period.
Welsh rang the changes at the break and that helped the visitors to be much improved as they began to play some neat two touch football in the oppositions final third.
While clear sights of goal were at a premium, Nelson will feel aggrieved that he wasn’t awarded a second penalty when he was clattered to the ground.
Shortly after though, Sunderland’s pressure finally paid off as Wright capitalised on a defensive error and tapped home from close-range to halve the deficit.
Leeds responded well and did well to mute the young Black Cats as they looked to build a head of steam to try and complete a fine comeback.
But with 13 minutes left, Purver restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage as he headed home a free-kick at the far post.
It was a goal that ended any hopes of a comeback and one that left Welsh with plenty to think about ahead of their final test at Burnley next Friday.
Sunderland under-23s starting: Talbot, Storey, Casey, Brady, Taylor, Embleton, Pybus, Agnew, Mavrias, Maja, Nelson