Régis Le Bris sends warning to Sunderland squad ahead of Europe decider vs Chelsea

Sunderland’s comeback win at Everton on Sunday kept the Black Cats firmly in the hunt for a finish in the European places ahead of the final-visit of Chelsea. 

Hosts Everton took the lead shortly before half-time at the weekend, courtesy of a Merlin Rohl shot which ricocheted off Granit Xhaka and past Sunderland shot-stopper Robin Roefs. 

However, Régis Le Bris’ visitors found some much-needed attacking intent in the second 45’, and three goals ensued with Enzo Le Fee at the heart of Sunderland’s midfield being the catalyst. 

Le Fee slipped Brian Brobbey through for an emphatic equaliser, then found the net himself past Jordan Pickford to turn the tide, before substitute Wilson Isidor rubbed salt in Everton wounds with his late goal.

As a result, Sunderland must now beat the Blues at home on Sunday afternoon to book their spot for European football next season, but Le Bris has sternly urged his Black Cats squad to keep their feet on the ground.

Ever the pragmatist, Le Bris has warned his Sunderland players against the “distraction” of potential European football beyond Sunday’s meeting with Chelsea. 

Interestingly, the Black Cats boss referenced Sunderland’s 5-0 home hammering at the hands of Nottingham Forest late last month, with his side’s substandard showing shocking those in the Stadium of Light stands.

Forest have several dangerous players in their midst - the likes of Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White - and Chelsea will certainly be no different given their hundreds of millions worth of talent. 

Chelsea, who recently announced the imminent arrival of Xabi Alonso as their manager for next season, will themselves also be desperate to attain European football and require a result on Wearside to do so.

Therefore, for both sides it is all to play for on Sunday, and ahead of the fixture Le Bris has urged caution over Sunderland’s European dreams in light of their 3-1 comeback win on Merseyside.

As quoted by the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris said: “It's on but it's not done,

"The most important from the previous experiences is to stay focused on our standards.

"The opponent at the Stadium of Light next week will be strong so we'll have to be at our best and hope with our fans we'll have the power and energy to give our best."

He added: "We hit the 40-point target early and we have been able to keep the consistency after, even if we could have been complacent.

“The team showed they were still ambitious and played good football. Now we have an opportunity to play a really exciting fixture at home and we'll see."

As seen in Sunderland’s goalless home draw against Manchester United last time out on home soil, Le Bris’ side have the attacking credentials to impose themselves on top tier opponents, and they must repeat that feat against Chelsea.

Buoyed by what is poised to be a raucous Stadium of Light atmosphere on final day, the Black Cats must take the game to the Blues, who face Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening in the wake of their FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The morale and belief will be palpable in the Sunderland dressing room in the days ahead, and rightfully so considering the comeback victory at Everton, and given that the Black Cats also came back from behind at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.

Last May, a truly magical moment came with Dan Ballard’s last-second header sending Sunderland to Wembley at the behest of Coventry City, and those of a red-and-white persuasion will be hoping that Sunday’s clash will end in similar fairytale fashion.