{"id":263112,"date":"2026-09-17T17:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/sunderland-told-underrated-star-deserves-far-more-applause-after-az-alkmaar-triumph\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T17:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:10:11","slug":"sunderland-told-underrated-star-deserves-far-more-applause-after-az-alkmaar-triumph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/17\/sunderland-told-underrated-star-deserves-far-more-applause-after-az-alkmaar-triumph\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunderland told “underrated” star deserves far more applause after AZ Alkmaar triumph"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sunderland<\/a> waited 53 years for another night in Europe, then made sure the return was worth every minute.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Stadium of Light was loud long before kick-off against AZ Alkmaar as flags filled the stands, the pre-match display set the tone and a genuine sense filled the air that Wearside was witnessing something special.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

This was Sunderland\u2019s first European fixture since 1973 and their first ever in the Europa League.<\/p>\n

It ended with a 1-0 victory, three points and another memorable chapter in the club\u2019s rapid rise.<\/p>\n

Regis Le Bris\u2019 side did not look overawed by the occasion, attacking with purpose, pressing aggressively and creating enough chances to have settled the contest before half-time.<\/p>\n

Enzo Le F\u00e9e was at the centre of almost everything and earned himself a man of the match display<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Le Fee’s standout Sunderland display in numbers<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Stat<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Total<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Minutes played<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

90<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Sofascore rating<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Penalties scored<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Penalties won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shots<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shots on target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Woodwork hit<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Expected goals on target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.98<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Key passes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Expected assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.71<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Crosses completed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2\/11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Touches<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

59<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Duels won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Fouls won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The Frenchman tested goalkeeper Jari De Busser, helped Sunderland move the ball through midfield and then struck the post following Wilson Isidor\u2019s cut-back.<\/p>\n

Kevin Danso also forced a good save, while Trai Hume threatened from range as AZ struggled to escape sustained home pressure.<\/p>\n

The Dutch visitors improved after the break and briefly gave Sunderland something to think about. Kees Smit went close and Robin Roefs was eventually required to produce a superb series of late stops.<\/p>\n

However, the decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute.<\/p>\n

Le F\u00e9e was caught inside the area and took responsibility from the penalty spot himself.<\/p>\n

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\"Sunderland's\n <\/picture>Reuters\/Lee Smith<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

That required nerve after his miss against Arsenal days earlier, and this time he sent De Busser the wrong way and found the bottom corner, sparking huge celebrations around the ground.<\/p>\n

Sunderland still had to survive a frantic finish, but Roefs and the defence stood firm to complete a historic opening-night victory.<\/p>\n

For Le F\u00e9e, it was an individual display which went far beyond the winning goal.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old played with imagination when Sunderland were on top, but he also competed relentlessly when AZ began to apply pressure, demanding possession, taking risks and never disappearing from the game.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Sunderland told Enzo Le Fee deserves much more applause after Alkmaar win<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n
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\n
\"enzo-le-fee-sunderland-premier-league\"\n <\/picture>Action Images via Reuters\/Peter Cziborra<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

That performance prompted journalist Mark Douglas to describe<\/a> Le F\u00e9e as \u201cone of the most underrated players in the Premier League\u201d, suggesting his lack of recognition is surely about to change.<\/p>\n

It is a bold claim, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue against it.<\/p>\n

Le F\u00e9e does not always dominate the headlines, as Sunderland have several big personalities and plenty of exciting young talent, yet the midfielder remains one of the players who makes Le Bris\u2019 football work.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Enzo-Le-Fee\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

He can receive the ball in tight areas, speed up an attack with one pass and drift into spaces which opponents find difficult to cover. Just as importantly, he is prepared to chase back and do the ugly work.<\/p>\n

His relationship with Le Bris also matters.<\/p>\n

The Sunderland head coach has known him since their time together at Lorient and clearly trusts him to handle responsibility.<\/p>\n

That faith was rewarded again on Wednesday. After the disappointment against Arsenal, Le F\u00e9e could have handed the penalty to somebody else. Instead, he stepped forward and decided Sunderland\u2019s biggest night in generations.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Enzo-Le-Fee-Sunderland\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

There will be tougher tests during this European campaign, and AZ created enough late danger to provide a warning, but their first task was to embrace the occasion and win.<\/p>\n

If Le F\u00e9e keeps producing performances like this, he may not remain underrated for much longer across England.<\/p>\n