Two years ago this week, Sunderland lost 3-2 against Plymouth Argyle in the Championship. 24 months later, they’re on course to become a Premier League mainstay and just made their first European appearance since 1974. Football’s a funny old game.
That said, It was well worth the wait as Regis Le Bris‘ side battled to a well-earned 1-0 victory courtesy of Enzo Le Fee’s penalty just after the hour mark. The midfielder, on this occasion, held his nerve to convert just days after missing from 12 yards against Arsenal.
The Black Cats certainly knew they were in a game by the time a historic night concluded. Robin Roefs even had a claim for Man of the Match, much to the frustration of AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, who was twice denied from close range.
Roefs left to save struggling Alderete
Robin Roefs – 8/10 – Busier than some may have expected and especially did well to deny Smit in the second-half. A well-earned clean sheet.
Nordi Mukiele – 7/10 – Impressively routine once again from Mukiele, who looked part of the furniture on the European stage. Created more chances than anyone else on the pitch come full-time (x).
Kevin Danso – 7/10 – Like Roefs, it was a busy evening for Danso. The former Tottenham man even came close to a first Sunderland goal when striking from distance in the first half.
Omar Alderete – 5/10 – A difficult night ended with just 52 minutes on the clock. A tough first half left the referee with no choice but to take his name into the book and that, subsequently, left Le Bris with little choice but to end his night. Committed three fouls.
Reinildo Mandava – 6/10 – There have been times when Reinildo’s defending has got him into trouble in a Sunderland shirt, but this wasn’t one of those nights. Like Mukiele, it was a fine evening for the fullback.
Xhaka and Sadiki continue impressive partnership
Granit Xhaka – 7/10 – A season out of European football and Xhaka didn’t look out of place once. The former Bayer Leverkusen man didn’t lose the ball once.
Noah Sadiki – 7/10 – Like Xhaka, Sadiki didn’t look out of place once on the big stage and continues to impress no matter the challenge thrown his way.
Sunderland’s goal struggles continue against Alkmaar
Trai Hume – 6/10 – In many ways it sums things up that Le Bris hooked the entire front three after 67 minutes. They were frantic, but ultimately ineffective. Hume ended his evening with just one successful take-on.
Enzo Le Fee – 7.5/10 – Almost everyone inside the Stadium of Light would have been holding their breath when Le Fee stepped up to the penalty spot just days after David Raya denied him. They needn’t have worried, however. He dispatched his spotkick with all the ease of a man with a 100% record.
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Malick Fofana – 6/10 – No one can deny that Fofana was lively again, but it’s yet to full click for the winger in a Sunderland shirt. Of course, there is still plenty of time for that to happen. For now, though, it’s an evening with one attempted take-on.
Wilson Isidor – 6/10 – Whilst there was plenty of action around him, Isidor took just 14 touches before coming off in the 67th minute. Though, within those touches, he may feel like his shot wide of the post should have nestled into the top right of Jari De Busser’s goal.
Substitutes
Daniel Ballard – 6/10 – Helped calm a brief Alkmaar storm, before Roefs once again came to the rescue late on. Will feel as though it’s his place to lose against Alderete, in truth.
Thomas Meunier – 6/10 – On a European night, players of Meunier’s experience can prove to be invaluable. Once Sunderland had the lead, he was always likely to emerge to see the game out. And he did just that, completing 78% of his passes.
Brian Brobbey – 5/10 – Truth be told, Brobbey was not introduced to find the back of the net. Le Bris simply needed a change in profile, a player who will hold up play instead of sprinting in behind. Brobbey, to that extent, completed his task.
Nilson Angulo – 5/10 – There seems to be a selection headache out wide for Le Bris. None of his wide men are truly at the peak of their powers right now and Angulo is no different. After emerging from the bench, he took just nine touches.