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Dennis Cirkin takes his opportunity
Cirkin’s future at the club has been up for significant debate during the last six months and beyond, with his ability to step up to Premier League level consistently questioned in his absence.
He’s been thrown in at the deep end to start his Premier League career, and a hot-and-cold performance against Leeds led to a lot of scrutiny, but I think it’s clear that Cirkin can definitely hold his own at this level.
He was composed, sharp, progressive and incisive down the left, defending valiantly throughout and rarely making an error. It felt like City were targeting the right hand side of our defence — which was unsurprising considering how well Cirkin locked down the left channel.
His injuries came at a terrible time and he was unfortunate to have to wait this long for his chance, but he’s certainly impressing. It was the performance of a player who can hold his own at this level and whilst I don’t think he’ll displace Reinildo, he can be a more than worthy deputy in this league.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City is put under pressure by Dennis Cirkin of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on January 01, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Getty Images
Brian Brobbey makes his mark once again
Each week, it’s becoming clear just how much Brobbey brings to the side when he leads the line.
He provides an incredible outlet when under the cosh — especially when facing teams like City who largely dominate possession and heap on the pressure. He gave City’s defenders an absolute nightmare yesterday, consistently holding the ball up and bringing others into play as we aimed to get an opener.
However, it’s not just the hold-up play, as he has the pace and power to drive in behind a defence.
A huge opportunity came after he demonstrated unbelievable strength to run off Ruben Dias and going through against Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Unfortunately, Brobbey couldn’t convert his chance and the game continued at 0-0. I’d love to see him convert more of these chances as they’re opportunities you’d hope your striker would score, but thankfully he contributes massively to the team without the goals.
I think Brobbey’s ability is especially pronounced when he’s replaced by Wilson Isidor, who provides less strength and hold-up prowess in the latter stages.
While we often naturally fall back into a more defensive shape towards the end of games, I feel Brobbey’s absence contributes to the gradual move backwards and Isidor just can’t replicate his impact at the moment.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Brian Brobbey of Sunderland reacts after missing a chance during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Leeds United at Stadium of Light on December 28, 2025 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Getty Images
Missed opportunities for both sides
Sunderland’s opportunities largely came in a lively first half in which the Lads pushed City to the absolute limit with a fantastic team performance.
Brobbey’s massive chance was well manufactured but poorly executed in the end, and Simon Adingra’s erratic style led to a big opportunity to strike on goal going astray, eventually leading to a sloppy Trai Hume strike which sailed over the bar.
It was Hume who soon found himself in a position of huge promise after Granit Xhaka placed a wonderful cross right onto his head at the penalty spot and whilst he attempted a glancing effort at goal, he couldn’t manage to use the pace of the ball to guide it on target.
As the game developed, Mayenda had a great chance of his own to get a strike on goal after a characteristically wonderful pick-out by Enzo Le Fée, which the Spaniard couldn’t quite get under control.
From here, City began to ramp up the pressure and create opportunities of their own. Savinho, Erling Haaland and Joškl Gvardiol all came close to breaking through — and could’ve done on another day — but a combination of fine goalkeeping from Robin Roefs and a mammoth effort from the Lads managed to keep them out.
The chances we carved out are a great sign that we can go toe to toe with one of the best teams in the world and push them to their limit. The game could’ve gone either way on the basis of the chances, and it’s good to see Le Fée getting time and space in the middle to improve our creativity.
He’s a magician in those areas and is somehow doing his own job of creating and inventing while replacing the running of the absent Sadiki — amazing work again from the Frenchman.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City is tackled by Romaine Mundle and Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on January 01, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Getty Images
Eliezer Mayenda returns — and how!
It was great to see Mayenda back in the starting lineup.
It was an unorthodox shape at times but Mayenda showed that he has the ability to form a good relationship in a two with Brobbey or to provide that creative spark from the right. His play can be a tad erratic but I think that helps him to be unpredictable and dangerous when facing up against defenders.
Our chance creation throughout the season has been our weakest aspect and players who can provide a spark are priceless in this division. We’ve said it from the start of the season — he has all the attributes to succeed at this level and he just needs the chance to grow into it.
I’d love to see him continue getting chances to impress, and I think we’d benefit from it.
Sunderland’s Spanish striker #12 Eliezer Mayenda (L) jumps against Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #11 Jeremy Doku (R) during the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Manchester City at The Stadium of Light in Sunderland in north east England on January 1, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP via Getty Images
Régis Le Bris does it again!
Another Le Bris masterclass, then.
I feel like he’s somehow still underappreciated across the wider media landscape at the moment — perhaps due to his own quiet nature. However, he’s orchestrating some of the best football we’ve ever experienced at the Stadium of Light and it can’t keep going unnoticed. The players and the setup at the club are brilliant, but Le Bris brings it all together and stands at the core of everything we do.
The system that Le Bris set up yesterday felt ever-changing and difficult to fully nail down to a formation, regardless of whether we were in or out of possession.
However, he’d clearly done his homework as it allowed us to exploit weaknesses in behind City’s backline numerous times across the ninety while retaining good levels of control on the game, and I wasn’t surprised to see that he was disappointed that we couldn’t take all three points.
It’s half way through our first season back, we’re seventh in the league and disappointed not to be beating Manchester City. Incredible stuff.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris speaks with Enzo Le Fee during the Premier League match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Picture date: Sunday December 28, 2025. (Photo by Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images
A red and white defensive masterclass
The entire defensive unit was incredible. It’s a sentiment which could likely be duplicated across most performances this season but yesterday was up there with the best.
Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele were unbelievable and Erling Haaland may not have a more difficult game this season — he was marshalled out of the game, with just a single opportunity on his weaker foot throughout.
Watching the two of them take turns in just going through everything in their way to clear their lines was spectacular, and Alderete’s tidy feet often provided some great openings to counter.
Having Roefs to rely on must be a dream for a defender and he gave another key performance between the sticks. Instinctive saves and intelligence when playing out from the back allowed us to stay in the game and build into attacks effectively. His influence is priceless and amazing at such a young age.
It must be reiterated that we’re without several key performers at the back — including Dan Ballard and Reinildo.
It’s an unbelievable feat which has allowed us to earn our tenth consecutive unbeaten game at home. We keep rolling on.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Omar Alderete of Sunderland tackles Erling Haaland of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester City at Stadium of Light on January 01, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) Getty Images