'I have goosebumps' – Timur Tutierov sends emotional message to Sunderland fans after unforgettable first goal

Timur Tutierov has thanked Sunderland supporters for making his first senior goal even more special, admitting he had goosebumps after scoring against Lech Poznań.

The young forward needed just 78 seconds to put Sunderland ahead in Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League draw, finishing after Nilson Angulo won possession and supplied the cross.

It completed a memorable week for Tutierov, who made his first senior Sunderland start against Torreense before earning his first Premier League start at Bournemouth. Having had a goal ruled out in Portugal, he finally had his moment in Poland and spoke emotionally about the backing he had received from Sunderland fans.

Tutierov: ‘I have goosebumps’

Tutierov described his disbelief at scoring and revealed how a visit to the pitch before the game had helped him prepare for the opportunity. “Thank you so much. It feels so good to score in front of the opposition crowd, which is a great crowd, in front of our fans who travel and make this moment even more special. I can hear them; they're cheering, and it was absolutely amazing. “I have goosebumps. I don't believe in the beginning I scored, but then I tried to find the cameras and ran to the cameras.”

He continued: “Yesterday, before the game, we went to the pitch and everyone said to me, go to the goal, imagine goal, because when the moment like this is going to come, you're not even thinking, you just put the ball in the net and that's what happened.”

A dream realised for young forward

Tutierov’s breakthrough has come during a period when injuries have limited Régis Le Bris’ attacking options. The forward has stepped up from Sunderland’s under-21s to lead the line in three successive senior fixtures. Reflecting on his first starts and first goal, he made clear that he wanted to build on the opportunity. He added: “Unbelievable, unbelievable. Dreams have become true, and I have to keep working, and I want more from myself, and I will keep working hard. It's unbelievable feelings.

Sunderland’s draw left them unbeaten in Europe, with seven points from three games following victories over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense. Tutierov, however, said the squad had travelled to Poland targeting another victory. “Yes, for sure, for sure, but we came here for the win and in the next games we will try to keep winning. It doesn't matter if it's an Europa League or a Premier League game, we will play for a win.”

Tutierov’s message to Sunderland supporters

Although his goal came at the opposite end to Sunderland’s travelling support, Tutierov said their presence meant a great deal to him. He thanked supporters for their welcome since he joined the club and explained that playing in front of them had been an ambition from his first experience of watching Sunderland.

“We have amazing fans. From the first minute I came to the club, they made me feel unbelievable. When I watched the first game, my dream was to play in front of them, and it's happening, and I really appreciate that they travelled that long trip to here to support us.”

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