'We Were Sunderland' - Regis Le Bris Issues Positive Verdict On Leeds United Draw

Sunderland stopped their losing streak in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon with a spirited and much-improved performance against Leeds United at the Stadium of Light.

Regis Le Bris' side headed into the visit of Leeds on a four-game losing streak in the league, which was compounded by last weekend's abject 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, which was an atypical Sunderland performance in every dimension.

Thankfully, Sunday saw Sunderland draw 0-0 with Leeds and stop their rotten run of results, in a game in which both teams had to battle tirelessly in all thirds of the field to come away with a point.

On an icy cold and windy Wearside afternoon, the clash between Sunderland and Daniel Farke's side was by no means a classic, but there were some flashes of technical brilliance combined with physical mettle that you would expect between the two rivals, which was enjoyed across the Stadium of Light stands.

For Le Bris, he would have hoped for a long-awaited three points, but the Sunderland boss was extremely pleased with a rejuvenated performance from his side, and rightly so.

Following the draw against Leeds, Le Bris explained that the performance was more important than the point for Sunderland, and that the hard-working, intense identity of his side had finally reappeared after weeks on the losing end in the Premier League.

Le Bris told Sunderland's media: "The biggest positive was the way we played.

“We had some good chances, but we need to be more clinical. We probably deserved a bit more today.

“I am confident in the team spirit and the way we are working hard to get better together."

On reflection of the match, a point was a fair result for both sides, given that Sunderland shot-stopper Robin Roefs and Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford were both called into action on multiple occasions to make several stellar saves to keep the scoreline at a goalless stalemate.

From a Sunderland perspective, fit-again Brian Brobbey, who returned to the Sunderland starting XI after weeks on the sidelines, tested Trafford twice during his 65-minute performance.

As well as Brobbey, Nilson Angulo made the former Manchester City man work for his clean sheet, almost capping off his standout and exciting performance with a quality finish if not for Trafford.

Ultimately, Sunderland settled for a point against the Leeds defence, who remained rigid under late pressure from the Black Cats, and Le Bris was pleased with the performance that looked much more in the mould of the resilience that saw his side finish seventh last season.

Next up for Sunderland is Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, in a game in which Le Bris may rotate the Black Cats side heavily and effectively sacrifice in the overarching aim of resurrecting the Premier League campaign and also focusing on the Europa League.

Following that, the Black Cats travel to their former Championship foes and long-standing rivals, Coventry City, and it is imperative that Sunderland come away with nothing less than a commanding win over Frank Lampard's side on Saturday.

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