Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris expressed his delight after witnessing his team capitalize on limited chances in their recent 2-1 victory over Brentford. The match, characterized by few clear-cut opportunities, saw a disallowed goal for Brentford in the first half and a missed penalty after the break, before a dramatic final 15 minutes unfolded.
Igor Thiago initially put Brentford ahead in the 77th minute, but Sunderland quickly responded with Enzo Le Fee converting a penalty just five minutes later. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when substitute Wilson Isidor headed home the winning goal in the sixth minute of added time.
Le Bris acknowledged the closely contested nature of the game, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on small margins. He lauded his team's ability to control the first half, while also recognizing the need to create more scoring opportunities. The second half presented a different challenge, becoming more chaotic and open, which Le Bris saw as a valuable learning experience for his team. He was pleased with how Sunderland adapted and managed the different phases of the game, highlighting the importance of being well-organized and maintaining control.
"Three points, another tough game with fine margins," Le Bris said. "I think the first half was positive, we controlled this part of the game without creating many chances or scoring, I think it was the main regret of the first half."
"Second half was totally different – more chaotic, more open. I'm happy because these two sides of the performance are really important, you can be well-organised and feel that we can control this part. We know that in the Premier League, some games will be completely open and the way we managed this part was positive."
Isidor's late winner added to the significance of the game, especially considering he had just celebrated the birth of his daughter the previous day. Le Bris praised Isidor's strong connection with the club, the squad, and the overall project. Despite not starting the previous two games, Isidor's contribution off the bench proved crucial, marking his second Premier League goal of the season.
Le Bris highlighted Isidor's dedication, noting that he flew in the evening before the game and prepared himself in the morning. This victory marks Sunderland's second league win of the season since their promotion to the Premier League, and Le Bris expressed his satisfaction with the team's overall performance.
Following his departure from Lorient in June 2024, Le Bris' impact at Sunderland has been significant. He led the team to nine wins in their first twelve matches and secured promotion through playoff wins against Coventry City and Sheffield United. His success led to a new contract with Sunderland, extending until the summer of 2028. Le Bris has also been active in the transfer market, with the club making several signings to strengthen the squad for their Premier League return.