SO FAR, so good. It might only be one game, but Sunderland started the new Championship season – and their new era under Regis Le Bris – in successful style as they saw off Cardiff City.

A first-half header from Luke O’Nien and a trademark 89th-minute strike from Jack Clarke ensured Le Bris’ first competitive game in charge of the Black Cats ended in victory, with the Frenchman immediately stopping the rot that had set in under Mike Dodds in the latter stages of last season.

There were signs of Le Bris’ new style in south Wales, with Sunderland counter-attacking with pace and purpose, but it was the quality of the Black Cats’ defending that was the most impressive aspect of their display.

Anthony Patterson was never seriously threatened despite Cardiff enjoying the lion’s share of possession, with O’Nien outstanding alongside Aji Alese at centre-half. Dennis Cirkin’s return at left-back was also a major factor in Sunderland’s defensive solidity.

There are issues that still need addressing – Eliezer Mayenda once again struggled as a central striker – but this was a hugely positive start to the season.

Mayenda will surely be replaced once a new centre-forward arrives, and the French teenager wasted a decent early opportunity when he dragged a shot well wide of the target from the right-hand side of the area.

Cardiff had the better of the early play, but Patterson made a smart early save as he tipped Dimitrios Goutas’ goal-bound header around the post.

Sunderland grew into the game as they settled, but it was still something of a surprise to see them claim the lead in the 18th minute.

Patrick Roberts swung over a free-kick from the left, Dennis Cirkin nodded the ball back across goal from his position at the far post, and an unmarked O’Nien was left with the simple task of nodding home from close range.

O’Nien made an important intervention at the other end shortly after, sliding in to block a shot from Chris Willock, and Patterson was also called into action towards the end of the first half when he claimed Callum Robinson’s hooked volley down to his left.

With Alan Browne looking industrious and positive on his Sunderland debut, the visitors restricted Cardiff to limited opportunities despite their opponents shading the possession statistics, although Ollie Tanner should have done better when he headed Willock’s cross wide in first-half stoppage time.

Cardiff continued to build pressure at the start of the second half, but with O’Nien continuing to produce a succession of important clearances, Patterson was not seriously tested.

The Sunderland goalkeeper made a routine save from Aaron Ramsey as the veteran midfielder bundled the ball goalwards following a cross from the left, but his interventions remained both limited and routine.

Sunderland rarely threatened as an attacking force in the second half, although Mayenda almost doubled their lead in the 67th minute.

Roberts sent Jobe Bellingham away down the right, he played a square ball to Mayenda, but the striker’s first-time shot was saved by the foot of Bluebirds goalkeeper Ethan Horvath.

Horvath was beaten for a second time with one minute left, however, as Clarke opened his account for the season in trademark style. Receiving the ball from Bellingham, the winger stepped inside Perry Ng before bending a brilliant low finish into the far corner.


Cardiff (4-3-3): Horvath; Ng, Chambers, Goutas, O’Dowda; Siopis, Ralls (Turnbull 78); Tanner (Meite 62), Ramsey, Willock (Colwill 78); Robinson (Kanga 68).

Subs (not used): Alnwick (gk), Robertson, Bagan, Fagan-Walcott, Rinomhota.

Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Alese, Cirkin; Browne, Neil; Roberts (Rigg 77), Bellingham, Clarke (Mundle 90); Mayenda (Rusyn 72).

Subs: Moore, Triantis, Johnson, Ekwah, Aouchiche, Ba.