Sunderland have eased to a 3-0 victory over Hartlepool United on a night where reports suggested that manager Sam Allardyce was close to taking the England job.
In the hours leading up to the pre-season friendly in the North-East, it was claimed that Allardyce was less than 24 hours away from being named as the successor to Roy Hodgson.
After posing for photos with supporters, it was business as usual for Allardyce as he took his place in the dugout and watched the Black Cats ease into a three-goal advantage in just 20 minutes.
Jermain Defoe was instrumental in all three goals, with the striker netting two for himself as well as contributing to Wahbi Khazri getting on the scoresheet after his initial effort had struck the post.
Sunderland could not had a fourth during the remainder of the contest but all eyes will now turn to an expected announcement from the Football Association on Thursday as it looks to begin a new era for the national team.
Darren Plant
