Régis Le Bris bemoans lack of solutions as Sunderland beaten by Brighton
A third successive home loss for the Black Cats, who were out of sorts defensively against Brighton whilst missing key players.
Sunderland have been on a largely positive trajectory all season. That was until last weekend’s rather embarrassing FA Cup Fifth Round loss away at League One Port Vale. The side who occupy the bottom spot of the third division were fully deserving of the FA Cup upset that they caused, and it left the Black Cats at a crossroads for the first time this season.
With the possibility of a return to Wembley gone, but with Premier League safety secured the feeling around the Stadium of Light pre-match against Brighton was one of uncertainty. After so many inspiring results throughout the season so far, there has been a growing risk of the campaign fizzling out.
By the end of the 90 minutes on a cold but bright day on Wearside, those feelings had developed further, as Brighton claimed all three points thanks to a Yankuba Minteh goal in the second half. The Stadium of Light had been a fortress earlier this season, but now Régis Le Bris’ side have lost three in a row on home turf.
Of course, injuries to key players have played their part in Sunderland’s lack of form. Their bench against Brighton showed the scale of their issues, with Régis Le Bris admitting that Sunderland are “limited” in terms of experienced players at present.
“It’s not an excuse”, Le Bris was quick to add, before praising those who did come on during the match. Those introduced were Luke O’Nien, Dennis Cirkin and Eliezer Mayenda, all of whom were solid, but did little in the way of adding to Sunderland’s attacking threat.
Ultimately, Sunderland “don’t have many solutions” as Le Bris made clear. Thankfully, they are safe in the top flight for another year, because if they were not, the final weeks of the campaign would have been a nervy prospect.
Despite Sunderland having much of the early possession, the first real chance fell to Brighton, when a teasing delivery from Yankuba Minteh was met by Jack Hinshelwood in the middle. His effort at point blank range was somehow saved by the legs of Melker Ellborg with the ball going out for a corner.
Then it was Sunderland’s turn to have what looked like a certain goal cleared at the last second. Brighton failed to clear as the ball bounced around in the box, with it eventually falling to Chemsdine Talbi. His shot was on course to nestle in the back of the net, but Lewis Dunk on the line managed to prevent Sunderland taking the lead.
This Sunderland opportunity inspired further openings but it was Brighton who had the most threatening moments as the first half continued. They had a couple of chances that they really should have done better with. Sunderland, meanwhile, on their forays forward, seemed far too reluctant to shoot when an effort on goal appeared to be the most obvious choice.
Luckily for Sunderland there was no such reluctance early in the second half to shoot from Chris Rigg, as he fired past Bart Verbruggen from a tight angle. That luck soon disappeared though, as the goal was swiftly ruled out for an offside in the build up - Omar Alderete the man who had strayed beyond the defensive line before winning a header.
The pressure from the home side went up a notch following that disallowed goal. Brighton struggled to find a way out of their own half, with Sunderland knocking on the door. But then, instead of the door opening, it slammed shut, with Brighton finding the key at the other end.
The Seagulls taking the lead was completely against the run of play, and it was perhaps, one of the strangest goals imaginable. It came from a Brighton corner swung in from the right, with Habib Diarra immediately going down as the ball entered the box. He stayed down amidst pleas for a foul from the home fans, but they were ignored by referee Thomas Kirk. The ball then found its way to Minteh, who, in an attempt to cross the ball from the byline, completely miss-kicked the ball, causing it to somehow spin and creep into the net.
Whilst conceding a goal of that manner was hugely frustrating, Sunderland did not respond to it with any creative flair. They ran out of ideas going forward, and Brighton, despite dropping a few yards deeper as they looked to hold onto the win, were never in any real danger.
At full time there was audible exasperation. It was clearly a missed opportunity for Sunderland to win another game, but it was their lack of creativity in the final third, especially when chasing the game, that will have annoyed Régis Le Bris and supporters alike.
Not a good time for Sunderland to be wobbling, with the small matter of the Tyne-Wear derby at St. James’ Park next weekend. By then they will hope to have a number of injured players available again, but the worry is that they will lack match fitness. For now, Le Bris will have to work with what he has.