Sunderland returned to form with a crucial Premier League win over Chelsea

Régis Le Bris says consistency was key to helping Sunderland turn around their faltering form against Chelsea.

The Sunderland head coach had been under increasing pressure ahead of the game, with the Black Cats bottom of the Premier League table and having suffered their first Europa League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadium of Light. Le Bris admitted it had been a difficult period for him behind the scenes at the Academy of Light but said he didn't change his approach and kept his energy high around the building. Le Bris said he felt it was vital to 'show the way' to the rest of the staff and to the players as they returned to winning ways against strong opposition.

“Yes, it wasn’t easy [recent period], agreed," Le Bris said.

"You work hard, the coaching staff in general with the players, and you don’t get results. This consistency is really important. Keeping the energy high as well, to show the way for everyone in the room. I think I did it, but you need rewards to stay consistent. It helps, for sure.”

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Le Bris nevertheless refused to get carried away in the aftermath of the win, stressing to his players that it was just the start as they look to claim 40 points that will likely secure Premier League safety. Asked how he would celebrate the win, Le Bris said there would be nothing of note.

He said: "I’m going to be calm, for sure, because it’s just the beginning of the journey."

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RLB’s message after Chelsea win

“I think the lads felt the danger as well,” Le Bris said.

“It's important to take this into account. It's important to do it now, because if it's later, it will be too late. And so it's not done, I told them the target is still 40 points, so a long way to go, but the reaction and what we showed as a group and individual performances as well were really important."