Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris hailed his side’s resilience after they battled back to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brentford at the Stadium of Light.
The visitors thought they had drawn first blood in the first half when Igor Thiago found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Brentford were then handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot, but Robin Roefs denied Kevin Schade with a superb save.
Thiago did eventually put the Bees ahead in the 77th minute, his header clipping the bar before crossing the line. Sunderland’s response was swift, as Enzo Le Fée levelled from the spot just five minutes later after Habib Diarra was fouled inside the box.
With the game finely poised, Wilson Isidor completed the turnaround in the closing stages, rising highest to head in Granit Xhaka’s cross and spark jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.
Speaking after the game, Le Bris was quick to praise his players’ determination:
“I am happy and we went until the end. We tried to win this game and it was really positive, the way we managed the game with two different halves.
The second half was chaotic, but these are two important parts of the same game. We showed a good ability to manage the second half and that was really positive.
It was good for Wilson and his family – two incredible days.”
The Sunderland boss also highlighted the importance of squad depth in the Premier League:
“I told the players from the beginning of the season that we will have starters and finishers, and that was really important today because in the Premier League we are always on the edge.”
