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A better Sunderland showing
Whilst it wasn’t a performance to have us shouting from the rooftops and we didn’t come out of the blocks all guns blazing, it was an improved showing from the last two home games until Chris Rigg’s offside disallowed goal — then everything seemed to go flat.
Everyone predicted a tight, chess-type of game and that’s more or less what we got. I thought it was a bright game in spells, until their goal.
Looking for positives, this was Rigg’s best showing for a while and although not perfect, he was my man of the match for us.
Further Sunderland injury concerns?
It may not be hot news, but it’s obvious that all isn’t well on the injury front.
There were a couple of occasions when he definitely pulled out of tackles, and also a couple of times when he had the chance to pull the proverbial trigger and score the granite blaster we’ve been waiting for, but he’s obviously protecting that foot.
The club and the player are obviously handling and managing it in the best way possible, so hopefully he can be back to full fitness soon as his presence on the pitch is immense.
On the same front, Dan Ballard had to limp off but hopefully it was purely precautionary before next week’s trip to the Visitors. Our defence isn’t as tight as earlier in the season, and we could do without losing our central building block.
Will the cavalry be back for Newcastle?
We need players back soon — including Robin Roefs, as I’m certainly not confident in Melker Ellborg’s kicking.
Question: why does a defender take the goal kick and tap it to the goalkeeper…only for him to kick it down the pitch? Why doesn’t the goalkeeper just kick it down the pitch in the first place? Answers on a postage stamp.
Omar Alderete was also limping at the end, and the game got more frustrating as it went on.
We need to find our fight for next week. I said this game would tell us a lot about the run in to the end of the season, and on this showing, it’s about fizzle out.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Daniel Ballard of Sunderland leaves the field with an injury during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stadium of Light on March 14, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Getty Images
Sunderland more than hold their own
This game was a slow burner for Sunderland.
After a forgettable first thirty minutes, we ended the half as the dominant team, with a wave of promising attacks which showed that we are more than capable of playing on the front foot. This continued into the second half but without any reward — perhaps Chris Rigg’s disallowed goal was a turning point which confirmed it just wasn’t our day.
Brighton are a good side but overall, I felt we were the better team and whilst we weren’t at our best, were deserving of at least a point.
Luke O’Nien contributes positively
It was sad to see Dan Ballard — arguably our best player until his departure — head off injured, but it presented another opportunity to O’Nien and he was probably our most involved player thereafter.
Neat and tidy on the ball, he easily swept up everything he had to deal with defensively while always looking to get us on the attack. I love the way he brings the ball out of defence and is always looking for an incisive pass down the line or through midfield.
It’s clear that O’Nien has developed his long throwing skills and provided the same outlet as Nordi Mukiele has done for most of the season. It’s just a shame we couldn’t make the most of them.
Chemsdine Talbi saw a lot of the ball and was very exciting to watch.
He made some great runs to find space down the left but time and time again he cut inside onto his right foot — most notably after being played in by Granit Xhaka for what should’ve been a first-time shot. Elsewhere, Chris Rigg did well on the right but he’s not a conventional winger, so we’re struggling to find consistency from wide areas despite a lot of promising signs.
We did have some shots on goal but aside from a decent effort by Lutsharel Geertruida, we didn’t trouble the goalkeeper often enough.
In the first half in particular, I felt some of our lads weren’t quite as committed to challenges as they usually would be. Don’t get me wrong: they put a shift in but perhaps we had one eye on the derby next week.
Nobody wants to get injured and risk missing a game that I’m sure they all know the importance of.
However, it’s only worth three points — the same as any other league game — and I’d much rather go into it having already got points out of this match.
Sunderland remain on course
The plan for this season was to stay up, so job done.
That was achieved largely by a solid defence. We conceded very few goals early doors but we didn’t score that many either. We pressed really well, won lots of second balls and scored just enough goals — either on the break or from set pieces — to collect points.
None of that is going to change this season but we need to shift the balance and bring in goalscorers in the summer, otherwise we’ll struggle. I’m sure that Florent Ghisolfi is aware, and the next window should be very exciting.
A lack of intensity from the Lads
We were OK but the press wasn’t intense and the passing wasn’t crisp.
We clearly missed the eight players who are absent through injury: Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo, Enzo Le Fée, Bertrand Traoré, Nilson Angulo, Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi.
The need for greater service is highlighted
Brian Brobbey is terrific with his back to goal but he needs someone to feed him, and normally we play with wingers rather than a number ten.
This is key in the recruitment and player retention agenda, and careful planning is needed for the summer.
Food for thought ahead of the derby?
We now have the injuries outlined above and that’s mainly impacted our defensive solidity, but we still have a powder-puff strike force.
There was very little goal threat in front of a depleted defence and we fell victim to a very bizarre goal.
We need to quickly put the last two games behind us and welcome fit players back from treatment ahead of the massive derby challenge. We may have to resurrect the Elland Road tactics — which will not make us popular but could be effective.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Chemsdine Talbi of Sunderland in action during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brighton & Hove Albion at Stadium of Light on March 14, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Getty Images