Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris admitted he had to ‘close’ certain parts of the field during yesterday’s win against Middlesbrough, solving problems as he went along.
Teenage sensation Chris Rigg stole the show as Le Bris’s side kept the pressure up at the top. The 17-year-old local hero provided the game’s only goal with a clever backheel in the 24th minute, keeping the Black Cats among the Championship’s early front-runners.
Rigg’s decisive moment came after Patrick Roberts saw Boro’s George Edmundson blocked his initial shot. As the ball deflected into a tight space, the young midfielder reacted first, instinctively flicking the ball past a wrong-footed Seny Dieng in the Middlesbrough goal. It was a dream moment for the Sunderland-born player, whose celebration reflected his deep connection to the club and the significance of this local derby.
This win marks Sunderland’s fifth victory in six Championship games and their third consecutive clean sheet at home, where they have yet to concede a goal this season. With an impressive record under Le Bris, the Black Cats continue to stake their claim as one of the division’s early promotion contenders.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, saw their season’s inconsistent form continue as they slipped into mid-table, having won just one of their last five league matches. Tommy Conway came closest to putting Boro ahead early on, heading against the bar from a cross by Isaiah Jones in the opening minutes, but the visitors failed to build on that chance.
Boro head coach Michael Carrick will be frustrated by his side’s inability to make the most of their opportunities. Despite managing eight points from their opening five games, Middlesbrough’s form remains patchy. Last season, the Teesside club struggled to break into the top six after a slow start, and a repeat of that scenario could be unfolding again.
The first half saw a frenetic pace as both sides created openings, with Sunderland threatening to add to their lead. Eliezer Mayenda charged through the Boro defence only to be denied by a last-ditch challenge from Luke Ayling. Trai Hume received a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Emmanuel Latte Lath at the edge of the Sunderland box, and Boro players might have felt aggrieved that VAR wasn’t in use to review the challenge.
Sunderland, however, managed to contain their visitors for much of the second half. Middlesbrough saw Aidan Morris squander a glorious chance to equalise when the U.S. international found space in the box but sliced his shot wide. Roberts almost doubled Sunderland’s lead, sending a curling effort just past Dieng’s far post.
Romaine Mundle rattled the woodwork from a free-kick, which would have sealed the win for Sunderland, but the Black Cats remained resolute in defence, repelling everything that came their way in the final stages. The victory represents a strong response for Le Bris’ side following their 2-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle last week.
After the game, Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris praised his side’s resilience, particularly in dealing with Middlesbrough’s tactical approach.
“This was a game against a strong team, a very interesting team, who are very strong in possession,” said Le Bris after the game. “It was clear to me that they have the preference to have the ball and to keep the ball, especially in the central corridor. So we decided to close this part of the pitch.
“We needed to solve many problems during the game, especially our left side because they overload this side. During the first half, they tried to overload the right side so it was a different problem. This is a big factor for us because we can start with ideas because you have the possibility to analyse your opponents before the game. But when the game gets going and it evolves, you need to respond very quickly.
“That was the case in the game so I am very pleased. We worked both in and out of possession during the week and what we wanted to do in this game. When we get that balance right like we did today, it is good. Emotional control is important too. I felt that the team wanted to work together to find a solution.”
The result leaves the Mackems second in the early table, a point behind pace-setters West Brom.
Writer’s View
Sunderland’s win over Middlesbrough was a testament to their growing belief under Regis Le Bris. The Frenchman’s tactical nous and ability to instil a sense of resilience in his team is becoming more apparent with each game. Despite being pegged back in the second half, Sunderland never looked truly vulnerable, with their defensive structure holding firm. The fact that they remain unbeaten at home without conceding a single goal speaks volumes about their potential to mount a serious promotion challenge this season. Chris Rigg’s match-winning goal underlined the youthful energy driving this Sunderland side forward, and he could play a crucial role as the season progresses.
For Middlesbrough, the game was another reminder that consistency is key in the Championship. Carrick’s side showed moments of promise but lacked the cutting edge needed to come away with a result. Their early-season form mirrors last year’s slow start, and unless they find a way to turn performances into points, they may struggle to compete for a top-six finish. While there’s still time to rectify their issues, Carrick will be aware that the Championship offers little room for complacency.
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