Sunderland versus Hull is never a fixture that really gets the pulse racing but when it's set against the backdrop of the Algarve it looks far more glamorous. Game two of Sunderland's pre-season stay in Portugal proved to be a tougher test than the previous against Brighton, well at least it was billed as that. The Sunderland and Hull City supporters were out in surprisingly good numbers with supporters taking over the nearby bar Restaurante Infante and were all in high spirits, probably to do with the €1.50 beers.

The banter followed down to the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira until someone produced a vuvuzela and was roundly booed. Sunderland took to the field with Kenwynne Jones playing in the unconventional role of centre back alongside Anton Ferdinand with Martyn Waghorn partnering Fraizer Campbell up front. New signing Titus Bramble watched on from the bench. Hull lined-up with Sunderland 'favourites' Kevin Kilbane and Paul McShane in their starting XI and they lived up to their billing of being crap.

Sunderland started brightly and took the lead within the first couple of minutes with Henderson slotting an inch perfect pass to Campbell who slotted in for 1-0. Hull equalised through a dodgy penalty when Mignolet and Jones seemed to clatter into each other taking Craig Fagan, Fagan picked himself up and belted in the penalty. From then on though it was the Fraizer Campbell show with the forward scoring a hat-trick within 20 minutes. Malbranque and Henderson were bossing the midfield, Waghorn looked lively up front and Jones looked surprisingly comfortable at centre back.

Sunderland went in 4-1 up at half time and a half time celebratory beer was in order and the 'cheap' price of €2 per pint it seemed spot on, one problem though, non-alcoholic beer. Gutter. The second half was a total non-event, Sunderland took the foot off the gas. Bent came on for Campbell and managed to miss an absolute sitter, Hull pulled one back but Sunderland's defence was rarely troubled.

A comfortable and confident win with the side showing signs of progress. Benfica will provide the sternest test of the tour on Tuesday.

Sunderland 4 Hull City 2

ALS Man of the Match: Fraizer Campbell. He scored four goals so a pretty obvious choice but ran close by Steed who chipped in with two assists.

Tom Walsh

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