Sunderland's "anger" as Allardyce prepares for England

Allardyce left Victoria Park 20 minutes before the end of the Black Cats' pre-season friendly win at Hartlepool United on Wednesday night so will not face the media.

• Hignett happy to see Sam get the job

The Football Association are set to confirm that the 61-year-old as the next England manager, but there has been no official confirmation.

A Sunderland statement read: "Naturally we are aware of the intense media speculation this evening, however, at the present time Sam Allardyce remains Sunderland manager.

"We share in the anger and frustration of our supporters and would like to assure them that we are working to conclude the matter in the best interests of Sunderland AFC."

If the friendly was Allardyce's last game in charge of the Black Cats, he signed off by watching Jermain Defoe remind him why he should be considered for his first international squad.

Sunderland won comfortably at their North-East neighbours and Defoe, whose strong shout for a place in the Euros squad was overlooked by Roy Hodgson despite his brilliant form last season, only took seven minutes to put them in front.

Jermain Defoe celebrates. Photo: Chris Booth

Allardyce remained in his seat throughout the first half as Defoe made the most of some hesitancy from Pools’ summer signing Toto Nsiala, the former Grimsby man, by nipping in behind him and applying the deadly finish beyond Trevor Carson in the seventh minute.

Defoe also set up Fabio Borini, who found the crossbar, seconds later and then hit the woodwork himself in the 16th minute when the rebound fell to Wahbi Khazri to drill in a low second goal for the visitors.

It was the ideal opening for Sunderland, looking for things to be as smooth as possible given the circumstances of the last few weeks.

Hartlepool's Toto Nsiala and Sunderland's Fabio Borini. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Allardyce has been in the frame for the job throughout that time, but calls for him to get the job have gathered pace since his formal interview ten days ago.

And shortly before he walked off the team coach at Victoria Park pre-match, with a beaming smile and shaking supporters’ hands, word filtered around the country that the Football Association were ready to offer him the job.

The PA announcer played England anthem ‘Three Lions’ in the build-up to the game but Allardyce, wearing his Sunderland clothing, still took his place on the bench and even applauded when Defoe scored his brilliant second.

That arrived in the 21st minute when he cleverly chipped inside former Sunderland keeper Carson’s net after Billy Jones had picked him out.

Sunderland dominated the opening half against their League Two opponents and hit the crossbar again when Lamine Kone headed against the crossbar from Borini’s corner.

But there were plenty of changes from both teams in the second half and the game took on a different complexion.

And while Allardyce decided not to re-emerge and take his seat in the dug-out for the second half, Hartlepool almost pulled one back seven minutes in when Nathan Thomas headed against the post.

Sunderland, who included former Newcastle winger and trialist Charles N’Zogbia in midfield following his release from Aston Villa, had a couple of further chances, with George Honeyman and Duncan Watmore threatening.

But Hartlepool - who had given outings to summer signings Nsiala, Padraig Amond, Lewis Alessandra and Nicky Deverdics – had the better of the second half against Sunderland’s young guns.

Craig Hignett’s side would have pulled one back with ten minutes remaining as well had goalkeeper Jordan Pickford not made a flying one handed save to tip over Rhys Oates’ header.

There were no further goals, just more minutes under the belt for fitness. Hignett will still be in charge of Hartlepool when they head to Livingston on Saturday, the same cannot be said of Allardyce when Sunderland go to Rotherham.

HARTLEPOOL (4-2-3-1): Carson (Bartlett 46); Richards (Magnay 46), Nsiala (Nearney 70), Bates (Harrison 63), Carroll (Green 70); Featherstone (Donnelly 70), Woods (Hawkins 46); Laurent (Thomas 46), Deverdics (Orrell 76), Alessandra (Oates 63); Amond (Paynter 46).

SUNDERLAND first half: Mannone; Jones, Kaboul, Kone, van Aanholt; Cattermole, Rodwell, Lens; Borini, Khazri; Defoe.

SUNDERLAND second half: Pickford; Robson, T Robson, Beadling, Ledger, Honeyman, N'Zogbia, Greenwood, Gooch, Watmore, Maja. Subs (not used): Stryjek (gk).