OTD: LE BRIS' FIRST GAME
- BY BEN THIRKELL
- 20 hours ago
- 1 min read
On this day in 2024, Sunderland beat Cardiff City 2-0 to get Regis Le Bris off to a winning start.
There was intrigue going into the campaign, off the back of a poor season the year prior, with a head coach nobody really knew anything about and at the time went into the game with just one new signing starting, that was midfielder Alan Browne who had arrived from Preston on a free.
The starting eleven had some interesting calls. Eliezer Mayenda was backed as the starting striker after a solid pre-season ahead of Nazariy Rusyn. Despite rumours of a move away, Jack Clarke started, and Pierre Ekwah was amongst the subs after being a regular the previous season.
Only 12 of the 20 in the squad that day would be apart of Sunderland’s victory at Wembley come May.
18 minutes in, the first goal of the Le Bris era was scored by who else but Luke O’Nien, who has played under our last seven permanent managers, heading home to put the Black Cats ahead at the Cardiff City Stadium. It was a very even contest with Sunderland having to defend well to keep the lead with Anthony Patterson and his back four holding firm.
The victory was secured though in the 89th minute, with Jack Clarke doing his usual cutting in from the left to score his final goal in Red and White. Three points and a clean sheet the ideal start for Le Bris, with solid defensive displays something we have gotten used to under Regis in his two years in charge.
