Sunderland missed the opportunity to go top of the Championship after a narrow 2-1 defeat at Watford, as a late penalty secured all three points for the home side.
Sunderland entered the match knowing that a victory could propel them to the top of the table following West Brom’s earlier loss to Sheffield Wednesday. However, Festy Ebosele’s first-half volley put the hosts in control before Wilson Isidor equalised for the Black Cats shortly after the break. Sunderland were hopeful of completing a comeback, but a late penalty from Tom Dele-Bashiru sealed a 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road.
Watford, who dominated the first half, came close to breaking the deadlock early on when Edo Kayembe tested Anthony Patterson with a powerful shot in the opening 10 minutes. The Hornets, led by the lively Yasser Larouci, consistently threatened down the flanks, with Larouci causing trouble for Sunderland’s defence. His pinpoint cross in the 23rd minute found Vakoun Bayo, but the striker’s header failed to beat Patterson.
The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark. A looping cross from Larouci met Ebosele, whose volley flew past Patterson, leaving Sunderland trailing 1-0. The visitors struggled to contain Watford’s pace and width, though Luke O’Nien did force Jonathan Bond into a sharp save late in the first half, preventing an equaliser before the interval.
Regis Le Bris’s side responded with intent after the restart, and within minutes, Sunderland found themselves level. Patrick Roberts produced a moment of brilliance down the right wing, cutting inside and delivering a perfect pass for Isidor, who slotted home his first goal for the club.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Sunderland pressed forward, but Watford almost regained their lead instantly. Bayo missed a chance to connect with Chakvetadze’s cross, and Larouci’s follow-up effort found only the side netting. The game became increasingly open as both sides searched for a decisive goal.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 84th minute when Sunderland’s Dan Neil was adjudged to have brought down Kwadwo Baah inside the area. Despite Sunderland’s protests, the referee pointed to the spot, and Dele-Bashiru coolly converted the penalty, sending Patterson the wrong way to secure Watford’s victory.
After the match, Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris expressed his disappointment but remained philosophical about the performance. “I’m disappointed; the first 15 minutes were difficult. We expected it because we knew they had the ability to manage the width with their front five against our back four,” Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle.
He acknowledged that Sunderland struggled to find solutions early on but praised his team’s response as the game progressed. “We solved it when Dan Neil dropped into the back four. With the ball, we were able to build up the game and progress. When we lost the ball, it was a strong weapon for the opposition because they are very strong with counter-attacks,” he added.
Despite the defeat, Le Bris emphasised the narrow margins that often define matches in the Championship. “The difference between defeat and victory is small, but we learned from this experience,” he said, reflecting on the game’s fine balance.
Writer’s View
For Sunderland, this defeat will sting, but it highlights how tight things are at the top of the Championship. There were moments where the Black Cats looked capable of turning the game around, especially after Wilson Isidor’s equaliser, but lapses in defence and a controversial penalty decision ultimately cost them. Regis Le Bris will be disappointed with the result, but his side showed fight, and with some tactical adjustments, they could quickly bounce back.
Looking forward, Sunderland need to focus on tightening up defensively and finding consistency in their performances if they are to challenge for promotion. They’ve shown they can compete with top sides, but the small margins, as Le Bris mentioned, are often the difference in such a competitive league. If they can address those issues, they still have every chance of mounting a serious bid for automatic promotion.
