Kevin Danso Creates Instant Sunderland Connection With Stellar Debut In Brentford Draw

Sunderland summer signing Kevin Danso heaped praise on his new Black Cats teammates and the travelling red-and-white army, following his impressive debut display in the draw at Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

On deadline day, Sunderland signed Danso on loan from Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan deal, with a £22.5m obligation to buy in the deal if the Black Cats stay in the Premier League this season.

If Saturday's performance is anything to go by, Danso will become a permanent member of Regis Le Bris' squad next summer, and the Austrian international proved at the Gtech Community Stadium why that would be a brilliant contingency for Sunderland.

Le Bris made one change from last weekend's 1-0 home win over Fulham, with centre-back Danso replacing full-back Trai Hume to help form a back-five defensive structure.

The Black Cats boss' bold decision was vindicated by the defender's impressive 90-minute performance, in which Danso was heavily involved in both defence and attack as Sunderland drew 1-1 at Brentford with VAR drama taking centre stage.

In the early minutes of the clash, Danso's defensive teammate Dan Ballard believed he had put the Black Cats ahead, only for referee Thomas Bramall and the VAR on-lookers to chalk it out, with the Spurs loanee dubiously judged to have impeded the view of Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

After the clash and the controversial VAR call, Danso told Sunderland's media: “I didn't know where the ball was. I've just made a run into the box.

“I don't think I made any difference to him, but at the end of the day, it's the referee's decision. We respect that.

“We get on with the game. We're professionals, and sometimes decisions will go against us, and sometimes good decisions will go our way. That's just part of football.”

Despite this unfortunate moment, Danso was in fantastic form throughout the clash, making eight defensive contributions and seven clearances to help his Sunderland side to a 1-1 draw, following Vitaly Janelt's opener and Enzo Le Fee's equalising penalty.

In addition, Danso heaped praise on his Sunderland teammates for their stellar display against a Brentford side the defender labelled as a "very good team".

Danso said: “I think we started the game really well. If the goal isn't given offside, I think it's a completely different game because I feel like we dominated the first half.

“If you don't score or get in front and finish your chances, they're always good for a goal.

“So that's what happened. I think in the second half, we didn't start amazingly, but I feel like we finished the game really well.

“They're a quality side. They know exactly what to do. Very good team.

“I think we played amazingly today. If we continue like that, it will be tough to beat.”

In typical fashion, the travelling Sunderland faithful turned up in their thousands and were rewarded with celebrations for Le Fee's equaliser from the spot, in which Danso immersed himself as he endeared himself to the red-and-white army.

When asked about how much he is looking forward to his debut season at Sunderland, the former RC Lens defender spoke of his excitement at his instant connection with the Black Cats faithful.

Danso added: "I have heard a lot about the Sunderland supporters.

Following his resolute defensive display and celebrations with the travelling supporters, who clearly have already taken the Spurs loanee to their hearts, Danso is already on his way to becoming a new Black Cats cult hero and an imperative member of Le Bris' side.