David Moyes salutes Sunderland's fans as Fabio Borini and Charles N'Zogbia secure pre-season friendly win over Rotherham

David Moyes gave three thousand Sunderland fans a big thumbs-up and a round of applause as he watched his new team make a winning start at Rotherham United on Saturday only five hours after officially becoming Sunderland's 10th full-time manager in 10 years.

Moyes took a watching brief high in the stands at the New York Stadium and left the dug-out duties to Paul Bracewell as Fabio Borini stuck first after 28 minutes.


Championship club Rotherham, managed by former Moyes player Alan Stubbs, levelled at the start of the second half through Jerry Yates before Sunderland triallist Charles N'Zogbia hit a late winner from the edge of the box







Moyes had started his Saturday by being announced as the club's new manager on their official website shortly before 10am and immediately sped to south Yorkshire to meet up with his new charges for their pre-match meal at a nearby hotel.


He then travelled separately to the New York Stadium while the players went on the team coach. But the Wearside support spotted him as he took his seat in a smart navy jacket just a minute before kick-off and acknowledged their ovation by returning their applause and giving a thumbs-up.


The 53-year-old Scot will formally begin his work when Sunderland leave for their pre-season tour to France on Sunday.











MATCH FACTS


Rotherham: Camp, Kelly, Mattock (Thorpe 37), Halford (Forster-Caskey 42), Broadfoot, Wood, Forde, Frecklington (Dawson 69), Ward, Yates, Smallwood (Bailey-King 80)


Goal: Yates 47


Sunderland: Pickford, Robson, Van Aanholt, Kaboul (Ledger 80), Kone, N'Zogbia, Lens (Greenwood 88), Rodwell, Defoe (Honeyman 75), Khazri (Gooch 65), Borini (Whatmore 56)


Goal: Borini 28, N'Zogbia 86


Referee: Craig Pawson


Attendance: 6,676


Moyes wouldn't have missed his new Sunderland players whose shirts were vivid pink.


And he wouldn't have missed the identity of the first goalscorer. Italian forward Fabio Borini was sporting a bleach blonde summer haircut that made him look like Harpo Marx.


There was nothing wrong with his finish approaching the half-an-hour though, a half-volley that beat Lee Camp for power from Charles N'Zogbia's assist. N'Zogbia will have been pleased as well, he's currently a free agent training with the Black Cats hoping to impress Moyes enough to earn a contract.


If Sunderland looked good in the opening 45 minutes with midfielder Jack Rodwell, who played for Moyes at Everton, particularly impressive, their lack of concentration at the back was evident at the start of the second.


Jerry Yates was able to level from close range after 47 minutes when Sunderland were caught ball-watching inside the penalty area.


Two minutes later an awful slice from Younes Kaboul would have put Rotherham into the lead without the quick reflexes of Vito Mannone.


That proved crucial when N'Zogbia fired in low from 20 yards for an 86th-minute winner.


Moyes had earlier given a statement to he Sunderland website saying: 'I am looking forward to continuing the good work done by Sam.


'I have taken over a big British club with a great support and I'm looking forward to working in the Premier League again.'











Owner Ellis Short took a sly parting dig at Allardyce by claiming Moyes was his first choice last season but was unable to get him because he was in Spain with Real Sociedad.


'He was my number one managerial target for the last five appointments but his desire to honour existing contracts meant we were not able to bring him to Sunderland previously,' said Ellis.


Sunderland's only two absentees from Saturday, John O'Shea and Seb Larsson, will be on tour in France after finishing their post-Euro 2016 breaks.


Moyes' first Premier League game with his new club will come at Manchester City on August 13. He faces former club Everton in his second home match at the Stadium of Light on September 12.


His return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, where he was sacked after 10 months in 2014 will take place on Boxing Day.