Sunderland slipped to a third successive home defeat but their manager was content
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler (L) greets Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris
Regis Le Bris felt Sunderland produced a strong performance despite the defeat, describing it as a good Premier League game against a strong Brighton & Hove Albion side in the 1-0 defeat.
It’s clear where the Black Cats are lacking given they have scored just four goals in their last eight outings including the FA Cup loss at Port Vale.
It was the 11th time in 30 Premier League games where Le Bris’ side didn’t score a goal while in another 11 they scored only once.
After a goalless opening 45 minutes, Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg thought he had scored his first top-flight goal when he finished neatly on 49 minutes – only for VAR to rule it out after Omar Alderete was judged to be offside in the build-up.
Brighton took control nine minutes later when Yankuba Minteh’s effort crept past Melker Ellborg at his near post after he slipped past Granit Xhaka to the byline.
Alderete then came closest to an equaliser for the Black Cats, but Bart Verbruggen pushed away his header.
Next up, it’s the Tyne-Wear derby as Sunderland travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United.
Speaking post-match, Le Bris said: “It was a good Premier League game against a strong opponent. As expected, they were really good on the ball, with a high press and good control. Our intentions were proactive, showing a willingness to be intense at home.
“They found two or three options during the first 30 minutes, but after that we managed the situation really properly. We were dominant, which shows that we have this ability at home.
“We had our opportunity to score at the beginning of the second half – it was about a few centimetres – and they had theirs and scored. So it was about key moments.
“Until the end, the lads tried to show quality, character and resilience. Finally, the final turn wasn’t accurate enough and it’s still an area where we have to improve.”
Sunderland are beginning to be hampered by injuries. Dan Ballard limped off against Brighton with a hamstring problem to add to a lengthening list.
Le Bris is hopeful of getting a handful of players back for Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby, however, with the Black Cats having a free week to prepare for the visit to St James’ Park.
He continued: “It will be important to recover now, at the beginning of next week, and to prepare for the next one with purpose, with desire, with intensity, and the lads, I think, will be fine, because they are looking forward to it.
“I hope we’ll have the opportunity to find one, two, or three more players to fill the bench, for example, it will be important, but we’ll work hard.”