Loud cheers for Hibs’ quiet man

2 Hibs reduce the defecit courtesy of Martin Boyle; Lewis Stevenson’s children join him on the pitch before kick-off, above; Simon Murray equalises, right; Stevenson acknowledges applause from the fans, inset

Stevenson, who had been Hibs‘ captain for the day, led out his team alongside his two children, but Hibs fell behind when Sunderland scored on the stroke of half-time as Wahbi Khazri netted past Ofir Marciano from close range.

The visitors then extended their lead on 54 minutes when Dutch international Jeremain Lens slid the ball home.

However, Hibs rallied and Martin Boyle latched on to a John Mcginn free-kick and buried the ball beyond Sunderland goalkeeper Mika on 68 minutes. Parity was restored just six minutes later when new signing Simon Murray tapped home after David Gray’s inviting cross. Hibs boss Neil Lennon had promised this would be no exhibition match and it erupted in the 74th minute, Cattermole going in high on Marvin Bartley who reacted furiously, prompting a melee involving many players. Referee Gavin Duncan settled for a word of warning.

Having made his entrance to rapturous applause, Stevenson took his leave with six minutes of the game remaining, again to a standing ovation not only from the fans but from his team-mates and opposition players alike.