Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris hailed his team's remarkable character after witnessing them fight back from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light.
Early Setback Sparks Remarkable Recovery
The Black Cats found themselves in serious trouble within the opening quarter of an hour on a challenging Wearside afternoon. Amine Adli fired Bournemouth into a seventh-minute lead, before Tyler Adams doubled the advantage with an astonishing 45-yard strike that left the home supporters stunned.
However, Sunderland have developed a reputation for refusing to surrender under Le Bris's leadership. The momentum shifted when Enzo Le Fee converted a 30th-minute penalty after Bertrand Traore was brought down by Alex Scott, despite Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola's protests about a potential foul in the build-up.
Second Half Surge Seals Victory
The equaliser arrived shortly after half-time through Bertrand Traore, setting the stage for a grandstand finish. The decisive moment came with just 21 minutes remaining when substitute Brian Brobbey, the Netherlands international, completed the turnaround with what proved to be the winning goal.
Le Bris had specifically emphasised the importance of resilience in his pre-match programme notes, and his players delivered exactly that when facing adversity. The victory propelled Sunderland back into the Premier League's top four, marking an impressive start to their campaign.
Manager Reactions and League Position
"It's crucial because in this league especially, you can't control everything," Le Bris explained post-match. "The scenario will go wrong at times and if you don't have the foundations, the character, the connection with the team, a bad scenario and you give up. It started poorly for us, but because of the foundations we have created together, it's still possible to think that you can be back in the game."
The result means Sunderland have now accumulated 22 points from their opening 13 Premier League fixtures, putting them well ahead of schedule in their quest for top-flight survival. Despite their elevated position, Le Bris remains focused on the initial target, stating: "No, not at all. Still our first target, we want to reach 40 points. When it will be done – as soon as possible – maybe we will have another objective, but that remains the case."
Meanwhile, Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola expressed frustration directed primarily at match officials. The Spanish manager questioned the lengthy VAR review that ultimately upheld the penalty decision, remarking: "When you call a penalty and the VAR is checking for five minutes – five minutes, eh? – that decision should not be okay. They are really expected to overturn it because when you are checking five minutes, they know it's a mistake."
The dramatic comeback underscores Sunderland's growing confidence under their French manager and provides another statement victory in their impressive return to England's top division.
