John Wilson says…
Trai Hume makes his point
I thought Hume played very well.
Whenever people discuss a predicted team, it’s Hume that gets the push. He’s not always guaranteed his right back berth but it’s not a problem as he can slot in at left back or more recently, in midfield. He was also the creator of a few deft moves and had one or two chances himself.
You can’t keep Northern Ireland’s man of the moment down. Mentions as always for Nordi Mukiele, Granit Xhaka and Enzo Le Fée, but I was impressed with Hume.
Red and white resilience
We never give up.
Another victory
from a losing position — epitomised by Brian Brobbey, who got his usual battering but kept on going and got a very deserved goal.
This team doesn’t give up. Big hearts, big engines and big desire.
One or two defensive lapses
We were very open at the back, especially in the early stages of the first half.
Crystal Palace had several breaks that on another day could have seen us 0-2 down before we got going. Luckily, as usual, Régis Le Bris and the team sorted it out and we became more solid and more assured.
Fans departing early
The first few home games this season had most people staying until the final whistle, but the early leavers are back.
They stop in the gangways and block people’s view, then everyone has to stand. It’s a free country, but does anyone leave the theatre or cinema early?
Support the Lads to the end.
Lars Knutsen says…
Brian Brobbey shines again
An amazing winner from Brobbey underlined his value to our team.
He battled throughout, showing his strength and skill. It’s really important to have the outlet that the big Dutchman provides — and the finish off the underside of the bar was truly remarkable.
An outstanding team performance
This was another game during which nobody could be faulted for their performance, and the team we support is so much more than a group of talented individuals.
We have players that genuinely care about the city, the fans, and where we finish in this league.
I love that about these players — they sweat blood for each other and that’s very reassuring.
Do we need to concede first at home?
Is there a pattern developing that to start dominating home games, we need to go behind? Six of the eleven home games have followed this script.
Our head coach has a Ph.D. in sports performance so he may have some insights he can share. As a fan, I find it quite relaxing to follow home games, with two rules: A. Don’t worry if we concede first, and B. We’re not going to lose anyway.
This is an amazing way to enjoy and take in matches.
No more negatives!
I can’t come up with anything negative. This was a much-needed and deserved victory; we’re getting our best players back and it all bodes well for the rest of the season.
Happy times to be a Sunderland fan.
Lee Morrison says…
Resilience personified
Historically, going 0-1 down at home would be the beginning of the end.
However, this team is different and the resilience demonstrated to not just get back into the game but to then go on and win it was admirable. What certainly helps, though, is the crowd, as nobody was getting on the players’ backs when we conceded.
Instead, there was an encouraging roar and it helped solidify our unbeaten home form.
Unbelievable centre forward play from Brian Brobbey
Considering that we signed Brobbey on deadline day, it’s incredible to think that he’s turning into one of our most important signings of the transfer window.
His strength and ability to pin in three centre backs is undoubtedly a huge reason why we got three points this afternoon — and that’s without even talking about the finish, which was absolutely sublime.
A class footballer and I can’t wait to see how he continues to develop.
Main event referees
I can’t help but feel that at times, that we’re in a time machine and have been transported back to League One when it comes to referees. The “main event” energy that’s surrounded the last few officials has been suitably minging to watch.
If there’s one thing that’s bound to get on the collective tits of everyone at the Stadium of Light, it’s inconsistency.
This referee personified that and some of the decisions that Jean-Philippe Mateta was able to get compared to Brobbey was just ridiculous.
Early leavers strike again
When we’re 2-1 up in a close game, I find it baffling that anybody would leave.
We ask the team to give 100% until the final whistle and given that we just have to sit there, it’s not difficult to ask for everyone to stay until the game ends, not least of all to give the team the credit and appreciation they deserve after such a fantastic performance.
Malc Dugdale says…
Big Bad Brian Brobbey!
Our big number nine was my man of the match. His hold-up play got us up the park and his battle with the Palace defenders rarely went their way.
How he managed to score a goal by putting the ball over the keeper and under the bar is beyond me.
Great performance, Brian!
Enzo Le Fée’s purple patch continues
Another great performance, with a goal and a hell of a shift put in.
The man covers every blade of grass on the pitch and is as strong in defence as he is in attack
After his panenka nightmare, he’s recovered and kicked on massively — and the love for Le Fée is clear from the songs we all sing.
Sunderland are wasteful with certain chances
The chances for Brobbey and Trai Hume earlier in the game should’ve been converted — both great moments for us but not taken advantage of.
We didn’t suffer from that lack of clinical finishing, but on another day, we may have done.
Some strange substitutions?
The gaffer left it until about ten minutes before the end before putting any fresh legs on.
Given the way we harried and pressed Palace, we may have closed the game out sooner with fresh limbs, but what do I know that the French professor doesn’t?
Few further negatives!
I’m clutching for a second “down”, because to be honest, there aren’t many options.
The Stadium of Light is still a fortress. We’re the comeback kings — and we’re in the top eight and above the scum.
Not sure it gets a lot better than that.
Nic Wiseman says…
Another cracking goal from Brian Brobbey!
Brobbey was fouled all game and got no protection from the referee, but ultimately had the last laugh by scoring a winner which had people scratching their heads asking “How did he do that?”.
He was a handful from start to finish; a proper, old-fashioned centre-forward, bullying the Palace defence. His footwork was a little awry in the first half, as he had a few chances where the ball got under his feet.
However, his persistence paid off with a fabulous winner in the 71st minute, as he dinked the ball into the net from five yards out.
Nordi Mukiele…he plays for us?!?
How did we pick him up for such a ridiculous fee?
£9.5 million plus add-ons seems like absolute daylight robbery for a player who provided the assist for Enzo Le Fée’s opening goal and should’ve been awarded a penalty when Romaine Mundle was bundled over in the penalty area when he received another cross from Mukiele.
An appalling refereeing display
Mukiele and Brobbey were given yellow cards for telling the ref to stop the constant and persistent fouling by Palace’s defence.
Brobbey was constantly being fouled and manhandled — so much so that I got a little concerned that he might be provoked into kicking out. Thankfully, he kept his head and had the last laugh, but the referee had to give our players better protection. He also missed a stonewall penalty as Romaine Mundle was bundled down in the box after receiving a cross from Nordi Mukiele.
Terrible performance.
Midfield muddles
Granit Xhaka turned in an uncharacteristically hesitant display in the middle of the park and almost gifted Palace an opener.
We looked indecisive and tentative at times, but things improved in the second half as Régis Le Bris had looked quite annoyed as he headed down the tunnel for the half time break.
