Jeremain Lens scored his first Sunderland goal as the Black Cats geared up for the new season with a win away at Hannover.

Jermain Defoe went close for the away side early on but hit his shot in the side netting, before Kenan Karaman went close for the Bundesliga side.

Sebastian Larsson fizzed a shot inches past the post mid-way through a tight first half, where chances were few and far between.

After the break, Lens forced Ron-Robert Zieler into a low save from a wide angle, before the keeper tipped Jack Rodwell's long-range strike wide for a corner.

Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantillimon had a largely quiet afternoon, but he made a key save in the 68th minute to deny Mevlut Erdinc from close range after the attacker raced through on goal.

That proved to be pivotal as Lens scored the game's only goal with a fierce 20-yard strike which flew into the corner of the goal six minutes after.

Pantillimon was called on again to make an important stop as he dived low to prevent a late penalty from Charlison Benschop in the last minute.