'We played bad' – Wilson Isidor and Granit Xhaka provide brutally honest Sunderland assessment after Fulham game
Wilson Isidor and Granit Xhaka gave an honest assessment after Sunderland responded to beat Fulham at the Stadium of Light
Granit Xhaka says Sunderland rediscovered the hunger and collective edge that defined them last season as the Black Cats responded to their opening-day disappointment by beating Fulham at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland were far from fluent for long spells, but Régis Le Bris’ side improved as the game wore on and eventually found the breakthrough through Wilson Isidor. The striker converted from Habib Diarra’s low delivery after earlier hitting the post from an almost identical position.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Xhaka admitted Sunderland’s performance against Ipswich had fallen well short of the standards they set last season. The captain felt there was a clear need to reconnect with the intensity and character that helped make the Black Cats so difficult to play against.
“I think it was important to show the hunger again, to come back in the reality. I think that against Ipswich, it was not Sunderland, it was not ourselves that made us strong last season. And we knew we can't continue like this.
“And I think that today we showed big character, collective but as well together. And I'm very proud of this team because Fulham beat us last season twice, at home and away. And we wanted to show them that at home nobody can beat us or it's difficult to beat us. And we showed a great game today.”
Sunderland were not always at their best in possession, particularly during a first half in which Fulham were content to sit off and deny Le Bris’ side the spaces they often exploited last season. The hosts struggled to create clear chances before the break and also started the second half poorly.
Le Bris’ substitutions eventually changed the feel of the game. Diarra and Isidor were introduced in the 64th minute and both had an immediate impact, with Sunderland becoming quicker and more direct in attacking areas. Isidor first struck the post after Enzo Le Fée escaped down the left and delivered across goal. His eventual winner arrived from the opposite side, with Diarra carrying the ball down the right before picking out his team-mate in front of goal.
The striker told Sky Sports: “I know Habib had the great quality to take the ball And then I just have to be in front of my opponent for pushing the ball. The first time he hit the post, the second time he hit the net. So I hope that I can reproduce that this season again.
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“And I'm very happy about the team. I say thank you to Habib and thanks to the fans also. that's what it is to be professional. You can miss, but you have to react straight again. Same what the team did last week. We played bad (in the first half), and today we switched to play better again. So you can miss chances but the next one you have to be ready. And you are.”
The only frustration around Diarra’s contribution was that his afternoon ended early. The midfielder appeared to suffer a problem after supplying the assist and was replaced by Chris Rigg with seven minutes remaining. His cameo still proved decisive. Sunderland had lacked pace and penetration for much of the afternoon, but Diarra immediately gave them more threat down the right and created the decisive moment for Isidor.