City recorded a comfortable victory in their final pre-season friendly at Valley Parade, beating Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland 2-0.
Second-half goals from Emmanuel Osadebe and Jamie Walker saw City prevail in intense heat in West Yorkshire.
The earliest opportunity arose in the form of a Jamie Walker strike from just outside the edge of the box. His low, driven attempt trickled just wide of goalkeeper Jacob Carney’s net.
Just before half-time, a ball hung up to the back post by Richie Smallwood was met by an Andy Cook header. However, his chance to open the scoring was blocked just in front of the Sunderland goal, before the visitors cleared the resulting corner.
A promising first half controlled by the Bantams teased an entertaining second 45. Yet, it was the visitors who created the first threat. Lynden Gooch’s tame effort was hit straight at Harry Lewis who easily collected the ball.
Directly following this, City took a deserved lead. After calm build-up play down the left flank, a ball was slipped in behind for Osadebe. After a neat touch to steady himself, he slid the ball underneath Carney, giving the hosts the advantage.
Just before the 75-minute mark, Walker was dragged down by Gooch inside the area. A penalty was presented, giving the Bantams an opportunity to double their lead.
A confident Walker stepped up to put the spot-kick away. With composure, he slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and doubling City's advantage.
As the final 10 minutes closed in, a powerful strike from substitute Kian Harratt was spilled back into the area by Carney, though he reclaimed the ball before Charlie Wood could profit off his error.
Mark Hughes' relentless side showed no signs of stopping, however, and in the 87th minute a Jake Young cross was awkwardly met by the knee of Oscar Threlkeld. The right-back's effort looped over the goalkeeper forcing Carl Winchester into making a brave goalline clearance.
CITY: Harry Lewis (GK), Brad Halliday (Oscar Threlkeld 45’), Matty Foulds (Noah Wadsworth 77’), Romoney Crichlow (Yann Songo’o 67’), Matty Platt (Finn Cousin-Dawson 77’), Richie Smallwood (Kian Scales 77’), Emmanuel Osadebe (Verdaine Oliver 67’), Ryan East (Reece Staunton 67’), Andy Cook (Kian Harratt 67’), Jamie Walker (Charlie Wood 77’), Lee Angol (Jake Young 77’). SUBS (not used): Heath Richardson.
GOALS: Osadebe (51’), Walker (74’).
SUNDERLAND: Jacob Carney (GK), Lynden Gooch, Brandon Taylor (Harrison Sohna 60’), Carl Winchester, Aji Alese, Danny Batth, Jay Matete, Elliot Embleton, Jack Diamond, Luke O’Nien, Jack Clarke SUBS (not used): Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Ross Stewart, Bailey Wright, Corry Evans, Denver Hume, Dennis Cirkin, Alex Pritchard, Patrick Roberts, Daniel Ballard, Adam Richardson, Leon Dajaku.
ATTENDANCE: 4,022 (including 1,255 Sunderland supporters).