Sunderland rounded off their pre-season tour in Alicante with a 2-1 win over Spanish outfit CD Eldense.

Tommy Watson gave Sunderland the lead midway through the first half before Ingo Pina levelled proceedings on the half hour mark after the Black Cats were caught trying to play out from the back.

The second tier side proved good opposition for the Wearsiders but it was Sunderland who claimed the win thanks to a thunderbolt from Luis Hemir Semedo – a goal of pre-season contender.

READ MORE: Sunderland's training camp and team news ahead of CD Eldense

Here are the key talking points from Pinatar Arena:

 

Alan Browne's first outing in red and white

Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris made 11 changes from Friday night's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, for tonight's game against the second tier Spanish side. New summer singing Alan Browne came in for his first start in a red and white shirt after signing from Preston earlier this summer. The Republic of Ireland international spoke with We Are Sunderland earlier in the tour, informing us he was a little behind the main group in terms of fitness, but had been doing additional work on his own to get up to speed.

That work has paid off and was handed his first start under Le Bris, operating in the number eight position before switching to a holding midfield role after the first couple of minutes. The former Preston North End skipper took the armband this evening, and looked to make things happen from deep. It’s fair to say there’s a bit of rustiness still there for the 29-year-old midfield, with a few wayward passes after the opening 15 minutes.

That being said, his nous in the middle of the pitch clear to see, winning fouls and winning back possession on a number of occasions. The highlight of his first half performance – undoubtedly – was when he bodied his Eldense counterpart Cris Montes, in a shoulder to shoulder challenge, felling his opponent with ease. He was replaced at the half-way stage by Jay Matete. Better performances will come.

The need for more depth at left-back

While Sunderland may have a number of players who can operate at left-back, the decision to play Jewison Bennette there this evening laid their issues bare. Dennis Cirkin is the first choice heading into the campaign, but the injury to Dan Ballard means Aji Alese will likely move infield to cover at centre-half. It leaves Leo Hjelde as a potential back up, while Joe Anderson played there against Shields.

That being said, when Cirkin plays, there’s a notable difference and more balance to Sunderland as a side. It’s his natural position after all. The decision to play Bennette at full-back may simply have been to get players on the pitch and get minutes in the legs. The decision not to sign Callum Styles this summer is another body less than what they had in that area of the pitch come the end of last season. It’s certainly an area that needs bolstering given the injury to Niall Huggins.

 

Adil Aouchiche's moment of class

Le Bris made a point of wanting to see how Adil Aouchiche had developed since the last time the two worked together. We saw glimpses from the French playmaker last season, but not enough on a consistent basis. There’s a player in there, but will he be able to do it regularly in the Championship? Aouchiche impressed in a midfield three alongside Dan Neil and Chris Rigg at South Shields and started in a similar role tonight.

The French youth international offers plenty of energy in the heart of midfield and looks to make things happen. His cross-field ball for Tommy Watson’s opening goal of the evening gave Sunderland the lead out of nothing. Picking the ball up in an innocuous area of the pitch, just inside the Black Cats’ half with plenty of defenders between himself and the goal, he picked out Watson with a sensational 40-yard pass.

The Sunderland youngster with an equally impressive touch, run and finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Adding goal contributions to his game will certainly strengthen Aouchiche's case for starting in the midfield engine room, although there’s also an argument to be had about using different players against different opposition.

Sunderland’s depth at centre-half as unlikely duo impress

 Joe Anderson remains somewhat of an anomaly having made just four competitive appearances since his move from Everton. Starting at right centre-back this evening he was one of, if not Sunderland’s standout performer. He won his defensive battles, looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. Ballard’s injury may have been a cause for concern, but if Anderson’s showing tonight is anything to go by, they’re well stocked in that department.

It would also be remiss not to mention Leo Hjelde this evening who, admittedly has found it tough since his move to the Stadium of Light, was equally solid at centre-half. The Norwegian had a good cameo against Forest and continued that this evening. There’s be some argument about the standard of opposition, but Eldense were certainly no pushovers.

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Hemir's thunderbolt

That's it. That's the talking point.

A real moment of quality to win the game from the young Portuguese forward. One touch out of his feet and a rocket into the top corner from 25-yards.

If you do one thing this evening, dig out the replay for this.