Sunderland Lose But Norwich And West Brom Win
Saturday, 18th Jul 2015 16:19 by Planet Swans (follow us on Twitter @swansnews)

The weekend always makes for an increase in pre-season games and we have reports and pictures from three here which include a defeat for Sunderland in Sacramento

Cambridge City 1 Norwich City 3

Norwich City took their pre-season goal tally to 20 in three games but there was not the ten goal feast that they had in midweek but it was still a comfortable win against Cambridge City.

It was an unusual game as it was four quarters of 30 minutes each rather than the traditional 90 minutes to allow both sides some more time to ensure more players got game time.

Barry Corr gave the home side the lead just past the half hour mark but strikes from Garry Hooper (from the penalty spot), Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Harry Toffolo were enough to give the Canaries another win as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.

Norwich manager Alex Neill: “If we’d have only played 90 minutes, then eleven would have got 60 minutes and the rest would have got 30, which wouldn’t have been ideal because we’ve got a big squad

“I wanted to ensure everyone got 60 minutes in their legs. I think we got everything we wanted.

“It was a good test for us. Cambridge did well, they worked really hard and were organised. It’s exactly the type of test that we need at the moment. It was a great exercise for both parties."

Charleston Battery 1 West Brom 2

West Brom gained a victory on their tour of the US thanks to goals from Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino.

With temperatures reaching 28 degrees and humidity over 90% it was a tough test for the Baggies which they will have been pleased to come through.

Berahino had given West Brom the lead in the first half in front of 5000 but there was an equaliser from Navion Boyd that looked to have earned the home side a draw before Ideye scored the winner eight minutes from time

Sunderland 1 CF Pachuca 3

There was a defeat for Sunderland at Bonney Field, Sacramento.

The Black Cats took the lead after just four minutes via a low drive from Jack Rodwell, only for the lead to be cancelled out by Ariel Nahuelpan on the quarter-hour.

Nahuelpan nudged the Mexican side in front with 25 minutes played before Hirving Lozano added a third goal midway through the second half. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also saved a second-half penalty.

Sunderland coach Dick Advocaat: "Everyone wants to win the friendly games, but it is about fitness. The day before the game we practiced two times. They were very demanding sessions

"I am focused on making sure we have the right shape and that we know what to do in certain moments against Leicester, physical wise. I have no doubts about that," he added."