Sunderland extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, maintaining their place at the top of the Championship after a gritty 0-0 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale.
Despite Sunderland’s strong defensive record, Preston looked more likely to score, creating several key chances.
Preston Threaten, Sunderland Hold Firm
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom’s side showed early intent, pressuring Sunderland from the outset. In the first ten minutes, Sam Greenwood and Kaine Kesler-Hayden had opportunities to put Preston ahead, only to see their efforts narrowly miss the target. Moments later, Sunderland’s Chris Mepham risked conceding a penalty after a clumsy trip on Greenwood, but he escaped with a yellow card.
Preston’s attacks continued throughout the first half, with Mads Frokjaer and Brad Potts coming close. Sunderland managed only sporadic counter-attacks, with Wilson Isidor hitting the side netting after receiving a precise cross-field ball from Chris Rigg.
On the half-hour mark, Luke O’Nien made a crucial block to deny Preston’s Jordan Storey from close range, illustrating Sunderland’s resilience under pressure. Five minutes later, Sunderland nearly stole the lead when Aaron Connolly’s close-range effort forced a brilliant reflex save from Preston’s Freddie Woodman.
Le Bris Unhappy with Sunderland’s Performance
Le Bris was candid about Sunderland’s lack of intensity post-match, expressing dissatisfaction with the overall execution.
“We are not happy because this was not the performance that we wanted to execute today but, in the end, it is a point,” he said. “It’s a long league with many games in the week. We have to manage the team and the squad and give opportunities to other players because we’ll need them for sure.”
The coach surprised fans by leaving key players Patrick Roberts and Romaine Mundle on the bench, opting instead to rotate and preserve their fitness for the long season. Both came on in the second half, with Roberts injecting energy late in the game.
Forward Wilson Isidor, typically a central striker, was deployed in a wide role, a move that Le Bris explained as a developmental opportunity. While the young forward struggled to make an impact, Le Bris was positive about his potential, emphasizing that experience in different positions would be valuable for his growth.
Writer’s View
With the draw, Sunderland remains two points clear at the top of the table, but Le Bris is focused on fine-tuning his side’s approach. As the season progresses, Sunderland must balance squad rotation with the consistency required to sustain their push for promotion.
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