Leicester City were beaten 2-1 in their final pre-season friendly against Sunderland at the Walkers Stadium, but Paulo Sousa will have been encouraged by plenty of things ahead of the season opener against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park next week (August 7th).

A goal at the start of each half gave Steve Bruce's side victory, with Jordan Henderson's deflected effort proving to be the winner after Andy King had cancelled out Frazier Campbell's early opener.

City made two changes from the side that started the 5-1 rout of Peterborough, with Chris Weale replacing Conrad Logan in goal and trialist Michael Lamey slotting in at right back to replace Robbie Neilson.

On a beautiful playing surface, Sunderland created the games' first opening. Steed Malbranque's slide rule pass found Darren Bent, who was well denied by Weale.

Unfortunately for City it was not long before Sunderland did hit the front, former Manchester United man Frazier Campbell scored his fifth goal of the pre-season campaign with a low finish from the left hand side of the penalty area.

The goal seemed to stir City into action, and Lloyd Dyer and Dany N'Guessan both threatened from wide areas.

Sixteen minutes in, Leicester were back on level terms. Matty Fryatt, who provided two goals against Peterborough on Tuesday, played in Andy King and the Welsh international fired past Mignolet for 1-1.

For the rest of the half City were the better side, and DJ Campbell was at the heart of all that was good about the Foxes' performance.

Firstly Campbell unleashed a fierce right footed shot that was well tipped over by Mignolet to earn a corner. Then minutes later Fryatt's deft pass allowed Dyer to cross from the right and Campbell's glancing header dropped the wrong side of the post.

At the other end Darren Bent looked a threat, but in the 25th minute the England international couldn't quite latch on to a very good low ball in by Al-Muhammadi.

Back came City, and back came Campbell, a solo run culminated in him turning his left footed effort just wide of the post from close range.

Sunderland then hit the cross-bar six minutes before the break when sub Phil Bardsley's shot was deflected on to the woodwork.

Just before half time City then threatened with a host off set-pieces. DJ Campbell's free-kicks and corners proved difficult to deal with and Morrison twice went close to putting City ahead.

Sunderland started the second half in the same way they started the first, with a goal to restore their advantage. Jordan Henderson's speculative long range effort took a deflection and wrong footed Chris Weale.

Before the hour mark both Campbell's went close. First Frazier Campbell went clean through only to shoot over the bar, and then DJ Campbell was well denied by Mignolet from Berner's left wing centre.

Both sides then made changes, the most notable being the introduction of Martyn Waghorn. The striker was given a fantastic reception on his return to the Walkers after a twelve goal season last term.

City looked for a way back into the game in the final twenty minutes and DJ Campbell's right wing free kick was headed wide by substitute Steve Howard.

In the final ten minutes Sunderland looked dangerous through sub Kenwyne Jones, he was denied first by a Hobbs interception and then by a Morrison block. 

With two minutes to go former Chelsea man Bolo Zenden had a rasping right footed effort well saved by Weale. Then with the game approaching injury time Steve Howard's turn and shot was palmed over for a corner by Mignolet. It proved to be City's final chance of the game as the Black Cats held on.

City: Weale - Lamey, Morrison, Hobbs, Berner - N'Guessan, King, Oakley (c), Dyer - Fryatt, Campbell
Subs: Logan, Neilson (for Lamey), Parkes (for Hobbs), Howard (for Fryatt), Kennedy (for Berner), John (for Dyer), Wellens (for Oakley), Chambers (for Campbell), Verma (for King)

Sunderland: Mignolet - Fedinand, Richardson, Turner, Bramble - Al-Muhammadi, Malbranque, Henderson, Cattermole - Bent, Campbell
Subs - Bardsley (for Ferdinand), Wilson, Angeleri, Liddle, DaSilva (for Bramble), Zenden (for Cattermole), Colback, Jones (for Bent), Waghorn (for Campbell)