Lee Burge reveals the secret behind his crucial penalty save that helped Sunderland beat Gillingham

In difficult conditions and up against a resolute and determined Gillingham, it had been far from a vintage performance from Sunderland.

But they had seen the better chances, with that finishing touch again proving elusive.

So when Tom Flanagan’s foul on Ryan Jackson handed the hosts the chance to take the lead from the spot, supporters must have been fearing that their side would be made to rue missed chances.

Then in stepped Lee Burge.

The Sunderland stopper sprung to his right to repel Jordan Graham’s penalty before seeing Dominic Samuel send the follow-up over the bar.

It was a significant moment - not just in that it kept the Black Cats on level terms – but because it triggered the series of events that would see the hosts lose their heads, see Alex MacDonald dismissed for a rash challenge and ultimately crumble in the final minutes as Sunderland took maximum points back to Wearside.

And while supporters may have been worried about the outcome of the Gills’ penalty, Burge was always quietly confident – thanks to the background work that he and the club’s coaching staff put in before the game.

“We looked them up at where they go, we've analysed them and we worked on thinking about where they were going to go,” he said.

“Thankfully, we got it right and I saved a penalty for the team

“We've got Butts [Lee Butler, goalkeeping coach] who put them down on a sheet for me before every game.

"We've got try and guess which way they're going to go and try and make them go the way we want them to go.

"You do have to try and have a good memory because sometimes there's about eight people that could come up and take a penalty,” he continued.

"But thankfully today one of the people that we analysed took it. I always try and analyse it, but it's how you feel in the game as well. You have to try and make them go the way you want them to go, and stuff like that.”

It was a fairly quiet afternoon for Burge other than his penalty heroics, with the Sunderland stopper only having to deal with a number of set-pieces – particularly in the first-half, as the hosts looked to make a number of corners and throw-ins count.

"It's how they want to play,” said Burge.

"They want to get it in your box and make you defend and they're good at that. They make it really tough for you but we've stood strong and it's given us good confidence.

"Sometimes you have to try and make the wind work in your favour and try and understand it,” he added.

"Where the ball is coming through the top, how much time you have, the skid on the grass - you have to put all those things into your game.

"Everyone has to deal with it so you just have to get on with it.”

The win at Priestfield saw Sunderland pick up a first victory in three League One outings, after disappointing results against Portsmouth and Rochdale.

And now Burge is hoping that the Black Cats continue to build as they prepare to welcome fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday evening.

"With the last two games, our form has dipped a little bit so it's good to get back to winning ways and with a clean sheet,” admitted the ‘keeper.

"Hopefully now we keeping going into Tuesday and keep the mentality of keeping clean sheets, starting from the front and earning the right to play our football.

"Every win is important and that's what we want to keep doing - winning games, keeping clean sheets and I think we're in the right mentality now for doing both things.”

The clean sheet in Kent was a welcome boost for Burge, with the Black Cats’ fine defensive record taking a hit over the course of the last week.

And the stopper has paid tribute to those further up the field for playing their part in the shut-out.

“It starts from the front and all the way back to us,” said Burge.

"It's all about communication and making sure our distances are right. I think we were brilliant at it today.”

Noticeable at Priestfield, particularly post-match, was the strength of the spirit in the Sunderland dressing room.

And Burge believes that a culture of togetherness – coupled with the knowledge that there is strong competition for places – will bode well in the coming.

That is especially true of the latter point, with a hectic schedule in the coming weeks meaning that Sunderland’s squad depth is set to be utilised in full – starting with Tuesday’s clash with the Tractor Boys.

“They've brought in great people and we've all gelled together,” said Burge.

"Even with the tough times of COVID and everything, everyone has been brilliant. It's a really good place to be.

“There's so much competition for places in this team and that's obviously the best thing for a football club. It keeps everyone on their toes and keeps everyone good.

“Everyone knows it's not going to be a starting eleven, it's going to be a whole team. It's the whole team thing which everyone realises - we need everyone for the season, not just one game.”

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