Sunderland’s debut outing in their Elvis Presley-inspired pink kit ended in a case of ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ after they conceded in the 90th minute to lose 2-1 at Ipswich.
The Black Cats unveiled a kit collaboration with musical great Presley in June due to a lengthy association with the late American singer which charts back to the end of the 1970s.
Presley’s hit song ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ has been a regular matchday anthem for Sunderland fans for almost five decades and inspired the club to bring out a pink and black away strip, with the colours selected in a nod to the breakthrough years of the rock star.
However, despite the words ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ being inside the neck tape of the kit, away supporters at Portman Road may have had other choice words to describe the defending by Sunderland players during a painful 2-1 loss.
Luke O’Nien was at fault for Ipswich’s opener after his careless pass was intercepted by Julio Enciso and he teed up Emersonn to score in the 24th minute, but Nilson Angulo’s fine free kick six minutes before halftime looked to ensure a share of the spoils in Suffolk.
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Black Cats old boy Jack Clarke had other ideas and made sure Ipswich fans were all shook up when Sunderland defender Omar Alderete gave away possession and Clarke cut inside and curled home to leave his old teammates pink in the face following an opening-day loss.
