Sunderland suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon as Premier League action returned following a three-week international break. Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring from just inside the area with 53 minutes played, Pascal Gross slotting the ball sideways toward the Belgian, just out of reach of a lunging Trai Hume, before beating Robin Roefs at his near post.
Sunderland were offered a lifeline moments later when the visitors were reduced to 10 men, with Pascal Struijk initially getting away with bringing down Wilson Isidor as the last man on the edge of his own area before VAR intervened. The club were ultimately unable to utilise that advantage, however, with Brighton doubling their lead during stoppage time. Roefs gave the ball away in the middle of his own half, with Georginio Rutter finding Jaouen Hadjam at the far post, the debutant thundering home to make it 2-0.
Right wing experiment must stop
The mind still boggles as to why Regis Le Bris chooses to play Hume and Thomas Meunier consecutively on the right-hand side, given just how much option the head coach has in attack. There will have been another collective sigh when the team-sheet was revealed an hour and a quarter ahead of the 3pm kick-off, with Meunier selected to play on the wing, despite thriving as a full-back.
Both men bring their own attributes to the table, and while Le Bris may feel his side is weaker without either one on the pitch, it's evident that the threat in the opponents' final third is slim to none with a natural full-back surging forward. With Chemsdine Talbi, Jocelin Ta Bi and Malick Fofana at his disposal, each capable of running with the ball and beating their man, and lacking creativity and drive in the final third, it seems a no brainer to play the best players in their natural position.
Sunderland have struggled to score goals since returning to the English top flight a little over a year ago, and that was once again evident when just one shot on target was registered in the first half of Saturday's encounter - a long-range effort from Nordi Mukiele of all people. It feels a little off that Le Bris has ample opportunity to bolster his attacking line with proven players, but is instead choosing to deploy more defensive-minded players up top and expecting something to change.
Thomas Meunier adds to injury woes
Sunderland returned to Premier League action this weekend with two notable absences in the form of Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey, each having picked up respective hamstring issues on international duty. With Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle also on the road to recovery, it was imperative that Le Bris' men were able to stay fit and healthy against Brighton, especially considering the jam-packed schedule ahead which will see the Black Cats compete in the Premier League, domestic cup competitions and Europe.
That was a task too far for Meunier, however, who found himself replaced by Fofana a little over 30 minutes into the clash - seemingly signalling trouble with his groin. It will come as a major blow to Le Bris, who now sees his options at right back limited to Hume - and potentially Mukiele, who is, albeit, better suited to centre-half. Isidor also looked to have picked up a thigh injury of his own early doors, but thankfully was able to play on for the duration - however, Le Bris may be monitoring his situation ahead of Thursday's trip to Torreense.
VAR finally in Sunderland's favour
Thomas Bramall initially dismissed any wrongdoing when Struijk brought down Isidor as the last man on the edge of his own area, only for VAR to ask the official to take another look. After attending the pitch-side monitor, and taking a lengthy look, the referee changed his mind, sending the centre-half to the dressing room early. But was VAR really needed to make that decision? Everyone within a five-mile radius of the Stadium of Light most-likely spotted the infraction in real-time, so how is it possible that a referee, two linesmen and a fourth official missed it from pitch-side?
It's not the first time that the officiating on the banks of the River Wear has been poor either. Anyone remember May's 2-1 win over Chelsea, during which the Black Cats should have had two or three penalties - only for appeals to fall on deaf ears.
Chemsdine Talbi saga rumbles on
Talbi has shown time and time again that he has a moment of magic in him that can change a game, especially when up against the clock. So, for Sunderland to be trailing 1-0 with around 20 minutes to go, and for Le Bris to bring on Ta Bi instead - a man who is largely inexperienced in terms of Premier League exposure - speaks volumes about the state of play with regard to the Moroccan.
The news broke toward the back end of the transfer window that Talbi had struggled to settle in Sunderland since his arrival last summer, and that he was looking for a move away from the North East of England as a result. It appears as though the 21-year-old's relationship with Le Bris remains frail to say the least, judging by the Frenchman's decision not to allow him a single minute against Brighton, when the first-team could have really used him.
