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Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan scored for Sunderland on Tuesday night as he whips himself into shape ahead of the start of the season in England. Sunderland stepped up their Premier League preparations with a 3-1 win over Hartlepool with Gyan getting on the score sheet. The League One hosts took an early lead through a tidy finish from former Newcastle man Nolberto Solano, signed on a free transfer following his release by Hull at the end of last season. But Asamoah Gyan headed the Black Cats level shortly after the half-hour. Kieran Richardson set up the impressive Jack Colback, who moments earlier had seen penalty appeals waved away, to powerfully fire Sunderland ahead early in the second half. Sebastian Larsson made it 3-1 from Stephane Sessegnon�s cross. Gyan is seeking to finish as the club�s top-scorer and challenge for scoring honours in the Premier League.