John Wilson says…
A comfortable evening for Sunderland
At last we were treated to a game that wasn’t nail-biting.
A pleasure to behold — Quinn and Phillips, and jumpers for goalposts? Fabulous.
It moved us back into lofty heights of the European spots and put our goal difference into positive figures.
Habib Diarra impresses
There were many bright spots, including Chemsdine Talbi, Nordi Mukiele, Enzo Le Fée and Brian Brobbey – but for me it was Diarra that caught the eye, especially in the first half.
He hadn’t any full appearances since August at home, and because there were so
many new names to spot, I can’t say I fully appreciated what he brought to the team. In a way, this was my first proper look at him — but he’s some driving force and can only get better.
Also, a shout out for Trai Hume, whom many thought would drop out, but Régis Le Bris kept faith and he turned in a much better performance.
Little to complain about!
The referee — as per usual — and Burnley’s very poor support.
Jon Guy says…
The boys are back
A great performance but Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi showed what we’ve been missing during AFCON.
There were brilliant performances all over the pitch — they played with passion and flair, and it was a joy to watch.
A clean sheet and then some!
A tremendous clean sheet with not a shot on goal from Burnley.
What I loved was that even when 3-0 up, the desire and commitment to keep a clean sheet was there, and the back four excelled.
No goal for Brian Brobbey
If ever a striker deserved a goal, Brobbey deserved one last night.
He gave the centre halves a torrid evening and how grateful we are that Chelsea recalled Marc Guiu, which meant we got Brobbey!
Trai Hume fails to notch
Hume showed exactly why Régis Le Bris played him where he did. He’s itching to get on the score sheet and came so close last night.
There were no downsides and it gives us a boost before heading to the Emirates.
Lars Knutsen says…
An excellent attacking performance
Admittedly Burnley, without a shot on target, were poor and toothless in attack, but they actually had the majority of possession so to see such a great attacking performance with Habib Diarra finally netting for the club he loves was outstanding.
There’s an old adage — “You’ve got to shoot to score”, and our returning AFCON hero did just that.
Add in a scorcher from Chemsdine Talbi and supporters went home happy after a decisive and well-deserved victory.
We didn’t miss Granit Xhaka
We signed an inspirational captain in the summer and Xhaka has been truly outstanding, but at age thirty three, he’s going to pick up the occasional injury.
He’s out for another couple of weeks, but I was cheered by two things. One, we missed him on the pitch at West Ham, but we really got our act together last night and others stepped up to lead on the pitch.
Secondly, like someone who aspires to coaching and management, he showed that he was influential without actually kicking the ball by pulling the strings before the game.
Can Sunderland become more attack-minded?
The performance made me feel we should attack more in home games and occasionally play two recognised strikers.
We’ve not see Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey on the pitch at the same time, and I miss what could be real attacking intensity.
If we’d signed a top striker in this window, the intent would’ve been there and now that we’re close to 40 points, it may be that Régis Le Bris will remove the shackles a bit.
Nothing else to add after a great and inspiring team performance — only that a cult figure like Trai Hume maybe needs a goal to add to his growing collection of yellow cards.
Lee Morrison says…
The perfect response to the West Ham performance
Words can’t express how solid a performance that was.
We’ve seen that this team responds to setbacks repeatedly and this was no exception. Considering how many players seemed to have an off-day in the capital, this was quite the opposite and it was nigh on impossible to pick a “man of the match”.
With thirty six points on the board, we’re looking at the right end of the table. A superb performance!
Our AFCON lads shine!
Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi were exceptional.
Considering that we were missing our talisman in Granit Xhaka, Diarra plugged that gap perfectly, dominating midfield and deservedly getting a goal (and a half).
As for Talbi, his goal was brilliant and well deserved, and on a day where we let Simon Adingra move on, it was a polite reminder of the quality that we already have in the team and the standards that are expected.
I was also delighted to hear Talbi serenaded off the pitch!
A few misplaced passes and signs of inconsistency
We can’t really mask the fact that Burnley were — to quote Bobby Saxton — minging.
However, there were one or two passes that went astray in fairly important areas and it’s important that we don’t allow inconsistencies to be present in our game, especially against stronger opposition.
Support until the end!
It’s been said countless times, but we always demand 100% from the team so the least that we can do as supporters is stay until the end and provide gratitude to this incredibly talented squad.
For me, this is one of the best seasons I’ve experienced as a fan. Embrace the traffic and support ’til the end!
Malc Dugdale says…
Delight for Diarra!
Habib Diarra really was amazing.
Just as we were wondering what we do without Granit Xhaka, our record signing stepped right up and showed what we have now he’s fit.
An amazing shift and some incredible forward momentum for a well deserved “player of the match”.
Talbi’s torpedo finds its mark
What a finish from the young wide man.
Three goalkeepers couldn’t have got a hand on that and although he had a quiet AFCON, his showing for us was cracking.
Even though we have a new winger incoming, the lad has really staked a claim for a run in the side.
Brobbey the boss
Once again, the big number nine was unplayable.
He deserved a goal to cap off another fine performance but he didn’t quite get one. However, he has a low centre of gravity like vintage Sergio Aguero, the strength of Adebayo Akinfenwa and the finishing ability of prime Tony Yeboah.
The sky’s the limit for this lad and even when he doesn’t score, he just gives so much. What a player.
Redemption for the Lads
From one to eleven and the substitutes, the lads showed what a one off West Ham was.
Trai Hume was great in defence and attack; Enzo Le Fée grafted his arse off, while Noah Sadiki was immense and Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete got a clean sheet. Nordi Mukiele also did well and didn’t even have many long throws to chuck in.
Class, lads. Well done!
Nic Wiseman says…
Habib Diarra is back with a bang!
Two goals and he took up the mantle left by Granit Xhaka.
In fact some around us were saying “Granit who?” This is the first time Diarra has shown why we broke our transfer record to sign him. He was outstanding.
Sunderland’s midfield masterclass
We completely dominated midfield.
Enzo Le Fée was like a terrier, biting at every Burnley player who had the temerity to have a go in midfield — whilst Chemsdine Talbi’s screamer just extenuated the point. Magnificent.
A terrible opponent
Only four hundred Burnley fans turned up apparently and I can understand why.
They were easily the worst team I’ve seen at home this season — and that includes Huddersfield.
More goals would’ve been nice
In a game during which the opposition were so outstandingly poor, this was a good opportunity to improve our goal difference and to further humiliate further the ex-Mag in their goal.
