A spectator for most of the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, did well with anything that came his way.
Did very little defending and often popped up in central midfield, which he did when he picked up an assist after picking out Rigg in the penalty box for the second goal.
Cruised through the game, made a couple of good tackles and a show his class with some clever flicks to teammates when under pressure.
Like the rest of the starting XI, not called upon much at the back, although did really well to get his head onto a dangerous cross.
Made one great recovery tackle and had a couple of dangerous bursts into the opposition box, went down a little easily for the first one but then forced a good save from the York goalkeeper.
Thought Browne did well in the Xhaka role, just keeping things simple ahead of the back four and keeping us on the front foot.
An absolute class apart today, York couldn’t get near him. Scored twice but was everywhere on the pitch.
A really clever bit of movement made himself some space in the box and then a classy, patient finish past a wrong footed ’keeper made it 2-0.
Eased himself into pre-season, without many of the eye-catching dribbles he’s known for. Still set up the opening goal for Le Fee when he unselfishly picked out his teammate.
Scored one great goal, cutting inside and curling in from distance but could have had another couple after great runs down the channel. Drove down the left shortly after scoring the third to pick out Le Fee for the fourth. Also played a lovely through ball to Le Fee, which the Frenchman dinked over the goalkeeper but that was ruled offside.
Was involved in the opening goal when he played in Ta Bi, didn’t get many chances himself but held the ball up well.
Made a couple of good claims from dangerous crosses but found himself planted for York’s consolation effort.
Didn’t get forward too much with the home side in possession but thought he defended well at right back.
Good to see Alese back and he got up and down the line really well from left back.
Played on the right side of central defence, used the ball well and made a few important tackles when York looked to be in behind.
Like Moore, found himself caught under the ball for the York goal and then picked up a knock and had to go off.
Made some good forward passes but also gave away a ball cheaply right on the edge of our own box, which we were lucky to get away with.
Played deeper than his usual #10 position but did ok alongside Jaydon Jones.
A quiet game although was unlucky not to score when he closed the goalkeeper down, lifted the ball over him but then had a misunderstanding with Dinsdale that saw the opportunity get away.
Was always looking to burst forward to support Geragusian early in the second half and scored the fifth with a well placed effort.
Caused York all sorts of problems in the early stages of the second half, got an assist with a jinking run into the home side’s box and picked out Proctor with a lovely cross.
Had one reasonable opportunity when Dinsdale played a cross just in front of him but he couldn’t quite steer it in, then was left a bit isolated as the game went on with York having much more of the ball.
Came on for Hjelde and looked comfortable between Alese and Seelt.
Man of the Match: Enzo Le Fee
Plenty of good performances in this first pre-season game, especially from Timur Tutierov, but Enzo was clearly the best player on the pitch. York City could never get close to him, he dictated play, created chances and tucked away a couple of goals himself.
Sunderland’s Enzo Le Fee during the pre-season friendly match at the LNER Community Stadium, York. Picture date: Saturday July 18, 2026. (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images