Le Bris commends Sunderland’s spirit and determination after Man City tie
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris expressed his admiration for Sunderland’s spirit and determination, following their hard-fought draw against Manchester City. The Black Cats secured a point in their initial match of 2026, even while defending for much of the game at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland had faced a heavy defeat of 3-0 in the previous encounter at the Etihad Stadium last month. Nevertheless, Le Bris was delighted with the progress his players demonstrated since then, as they held on for a well-earned point. “It was a competitive match against a truly formidable opponent, one of the best in Europe,” he remarked. “(It was) crucial to defend effectively. We proved we can defend high, and when they pressed harder with their quality, we needed to manage the ball in the final third. They created numerous chances, but our character shone through. Even when we were under pressure, we had ways to shield the ball. It was vital to evade their counter press; they excelled just weeks ago at the Etihad, making it impossible to escape their counter press. We managed that well today. We are developing and acquiring knowledge from various experiences. It’s about experience; our team holds high standards. They aspire to improve. If you remain stagnant, the league advances so rapidly that you’ll be left behind. They maintain their ambition.”
Another HUGE point on the boardpic.twitter.com/hlAe7DFB4Y — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 1, 2026 Sunderland sits in seventh position in the Premier League standings as the year comes to a close, having taken points from every one of the league’s top five teams since their return to the top division. In fact, the Black Cats have become the second promoted side to finish their first 10 home matches of a Premier League season without a defeat, following Ipswich Town in 1992-93 (first 11). “I believe every time we play at home, the support from the fans is unbelievable,” defender Trai Hume added. “They act as our 12th man, and our home performances and record this season reflect that. They consistently encourage us. We make it challenging for visiting teams, and we must maintain that momentum. We aimed to be assertive. When we visited their ground, we approached it with some naivety and a degree of respect, which they rightfully deserve, but coming here demanded a different strategy. We sought to press and challenge them, and I think we accomplished that. At times, we regained possession and created opportunities ourselves.” “It’s just the atmosphere; our locker room is exceptionally positive,” captain Granit Xhaka continued. “We have fantastic energy among the staff and players. Ultimately, the results demonstrate our efforts because we are dedicating significant work day by day, week by week. I think we can feel quite satisfied at this point.”
Published: 2026-01-01 23:55:00
source: www.soccernews.com
