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This is what happened in Sunderland's first friendly against RC Lens as Jocelin Ta Bi features in dramatic game Sunderland were in action against RC Lens Elite in the first friendly of the day on Saturday Sunderland were beaten 4-1 by RC Lens Elite in the first friendly of the Black Cats' trip to Northern France. A young Sunderland side went up against an impressive Lens reserve side and though the win was deserved, the scoreline doesn't tell the whole story with the Black Cats missing two penalties to level in the second half. Jocelin Ta Bi was one of those to miss from the spot, but impressed in an important ninety-minute outing having missed the tour of the US due to a rejected tour application. Aji Alese completed around 80 minutes as he continues his comeback from injury, while Alan Browne and Melker Ellborg both played 90 minutes. Régis Le Bris watched on from the stand alongside Florent Ghisolfi and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who is with the team today ahead of the first-team's clash at Stade Bollaert-Delelis later. The game took place at the home CS Avion just up the road from Lens, next door to the Ligue 1 club’s training centre. It was Lens who made the more impressive start to the contest early on, their number ten showing signs of the threat that would come back to Sunderland later in the half with some dangerous runs from the left-hand channel. A combination of some wasteful crossing and good defending from Sunderland in their own box meant that threat initially came to nothing, and they took the lead against the run of play but through through an excellent goal. Alan Browne, comfortably one of the best players on the pitch in the first half as he showed his composure and experience, played a lovely ball over the top that caught the Lens defence out. Tom Proctor had made a good run in behind and continued his excellent pre-season campaign to date by dinking a clever effort over the goalkeeper and in. The first half continued in a similar pattern, Sunderland threatening at times through Jocelin Ta Bi's ability to carry the ball on the break but with Lens seeing more of the ball. They got into some good positions without finding he right pass until finally getting it right eight minutes before the break, Ellborg making a good save from close range only to see the rebound land kindly for the Lens forward to score. He then went down under a challenge from Ben Kindon to earn a penalty minutes later; Ellborg sent the wrong way and the hosts taking a lead into the break that they probably just about deserved. It had looked like it would be a tough afternoon for Sunderland in the punishing heat as Lens controlled position through the first fifteen minutes of the second half, but their persistence finally created openings as the game burst open in a dramatic sequence. Trey Ogunsuyi had toiled with little service but did ever so well to turn a long ball forward into a dangerous break, the referee pointing to the spot for a handball from the Lens defender. Ta Bi stepped up and missed to the goalkeeper's right; it was a poor penalty but harsh on the winger who had worked hard and been an outlet for his team mates throughout the game. Ta Bi then burst through the defence with an outstanding solo run, left despairing when the referee waved his appeals away as he was bundled over when set to shoot from close range. Lens then broke and were in on goal, Ellborg doing superbly to race off his line and make the block to keep his side in it. Sunderland then won another penalty for another handball as Felix Scott had an effort blocked, with Tom Proctor stepping up and again missing low to the goalkeeper's right. Sunderland continue to ring the changes and a very young side were punished for two defensive lapses, two good Lens finishes from inside the box settling the game. Lens deserved their win, though the scoreline was harsh. It was a tough outing for Sunderland in the heat but an excellent workout which will stand them in good stead for the campaign ahead. Sunderland starting XI: Ellborg, Jen. Jones, Kindon, Alese, Lightfoot, Browne, Proctor, Whittaker, Tutierov, Jocelin, Ogunsuyi Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris sets out honest view on Sunderland aims for 2026/27 season with upbeat message