Sunderland 1-1 Sevilla: Phil Smith's instant report

Phil Smith reacts on the final whistle as Sunderland draw 1-1 with Sevilla in pre-season friendly

Transcript

00:00Hello from the Stadio Algarve in Farrell, where Sunderland have just drawn 1-1 with Sevilla.

00:05A little bit of an agonising end, Sunderland conceding with pretty much the last kick of the game.

00:09Reuben Vargas with a really powerful left-handed error.

00:11Simon Moore, who'd had a really good game and goal for Sunderland, just unsighted and couldn't save it.

00:16Really harsh on a very, very young Sunderland defence, particularly with a lot of players operating out of position, even within that back four.

00:23Probably a fair reflection of the game, noticeable that the Regis and Brees played two teams in each, different 11 pretty much in each half.

00:33First half looked a lot stronger, a lot more experienced team and they completely dominated.

00:37New signings looked really good, Noah Siddiqui covered so much ground.

00:41Habib Diarro was a threat, ends on the face, scored next and goal, capitalised on a poor back pass round and a poor keeper scoring.

00:47To be honest, Sunderland should probably have scored more.

00:49Meyenda was a handful, Simon O'Dingo was a handful.

00:53Meyenda had a big chance when he put a cross from now, but then it's just wide and far close.

00:57The second half, Sunderland dominated the ball as you would expect Sunderland a much younger size.

01:01As I mentioned, a few players operating out of position, found it quite hard to retain the ball.

01:05But I have to say they dug in really well, actually did a lot of good defensive work.

01:09Had a huge chance later on when Abdoulahi ran through on goal.

01:11He moved so well, Abdoulahi, he's such a handful.

01:13He just hesitated between going for Golden Square and for East door, he would have had a tap in.

01:17Did knee there, Sevilla were able to clear and then they went down the other end and scored.

01:21So, a really good run out.

01:23I think it's obvious that particularly in defence, they need a strength in its area.

01:26There's not a lot of depth in that shows, but credit to the young lads who came in and performed out of position.

01:30Loads of good stuff, it's pre-season, minutes in the legs, a lot of good performances.

01:34And I think the core of this team is starting to come together and perform very well.

01:38I guess I'll be able to be a side who struggled last season, but still a good European opponent.

01:42So, frustrating then, but some promising signs.