Sunderland beat Fulham 1-0 on Sunday afternoon, with two substitutes combining for the winner in the second-half.
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris has given credit to substitute duo Wilson Isidor and Habib Diarra for their short but imperative impacts in the Black Cats' 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Sunderland beat Fulham to secure their first win of the new Premier League season courtesy of Isidor's 75th-minute strike, with his fellow substitute Diarra providing the assist after a pinpoint delivery from the right flank.
As ever, Le Bris gave the plaudits to his players for their impact on the pitch, but it was the Sunderland boss who turned the tide of the goalless stalemate in his side's favour with an extremely astute tactical switch.
Within the first-half, it was a tight affair as both sides failed to create many clear-cut opportunities, particularly with Sunderland dominating possession but managing to create zero big chances.
However, after starting the second-half poorly, Le Bris brought on Isidor and Diarra in place of Brian Brobbey and Nilson Angulo, respectively, on the 65th-minute mark, and it took just ten seconds for the Sunderland boss' tactical tweak to result in a goal.
Wilson Isidor celebrates with Habib Diarra (Action Images via Reuters)Régis Le Bris Credits Substitutes For Sunderland's Win Over Fulham
Isidor and Diarra infused some desperately needed attacking impetus and pace into the Black Cats frontline, seeing the Senegalese starlet sprung down the right flank and beat Fulham defender Calvin Bassey for pace with ease, before delivering a beautifully weighted low cross for Isidor to dispatch.
The Sunderland duo's combination for the goal was exactly the remedy needed for the static attacking play exhibited up until that point, and Le Bris was understandably delighted with Isidor and Diarra's emphatic link-up to fire home the winner.
“We defended well - that was the first pillar of this game. We were impressive in the first half - we were good on the ball but didn’t create many chances. It was tight and tactical.
“Our substitutes helped a lot. The second half was about our subs. It was the perfect time to change our energy in front of our attackers.
“We went with Enzo (Le Fée), Wilson (Isidor), and Habib (Diarra). They gave us something different."
Le Bris also gave thanks to the Stadium of Light faithful for their part in Sunderland's first victory of the season, with the home atmosphere helping to swing the tie in his side's favour.
“Our crowd and fans are so important to lift the standards and the energy.", Le Bris added.
“Our players are getting used to creating this connection with them,
“We feel the energy of the crowd, and it helps us to switch the momentum."
Wilson Isidor scores winner for Sunderland vs Fulham (Action Images via Reuters)Le Bris now has big Sunderland selection call for Brentford clash
It is every manager's dream for their substitutes to pay off, as Le Bris' did against Fulham, but their performances now leaves the Sunderland boss with a selection headache ahead of the trip to Brentford next weekend.
Particularly, in terms of his number nine selection, with Isidor's short but certainly sweet showing against Fulham potentially dislodging Brobbey from the starting XI, with the Dutchman managing just one shot on goal in Sunderland's opening two fixtures.
Now, it remains to be seen whether Le Bris will continue with bullish Brobbey at Brentford, or employ the pace and dynamism of Sunday's winning goalscorer Isidor at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
