REGIS LE BRIS hailed the quality of Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fee following his starring performance against Brentford.
The 25-year-old made his first Premier League start in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Brentford having featured from the bench in the opening two league fixtures.
An impressive display saw him play in a more attacking role on the left and he was instrumental in Sunderland’s win.
Le Fee not only scored the equaliser from the penalty spot, but found a pass to Granit Xhaka who then assisted Wilson Isidor for the winner — and Le Bris praised the French midfielder’s footballing brain.
Le Bris said: “He understands football. He can play out on the left, in the midfield, almost in three positions I think.
“He can manage different problems in real time. You have the gameplan, so we can anticipate some problems, but the quality of a player is to solve problems in real time and seize opportunities when you have opportunities.
“It was the case with Granit and Enzo at the end for the goal, for example.”
Saturday’s victory was another late showing for Sunderland as Isidor scored a last-gasp winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
The Stadium of Light is no stranger to late winners, having played host to last season’s Championship play-off semi-final where a dramatic added-time header from Dan Ballard sent the Black Cats into the final.
Asked if opposition sides will fear Sunderland’s ability to produce late goals, Le Bris said: “Our new players – because we started probably with seven or eight new players in the squad today – they start to understand that if they connect properly with the crowd they can generate or reinforce momentum.
“For the opponent, you can be sure they will feel it as well.
“Sometimes it’s a question of fine margins. This extra power and extra energy can generate something completely different.”
A frustrating afternoon for Brentford saw Dango Ouattara’s first-half strike ruled out for offside before Robin Roefs easily saved Kevin Schade’s penalty after the break.
They broke the deadlock through Igor Thiago in the 77th minute before Black Cats Le Fee and Isidor snatched three points.
One positive for the Bees is that Thiago’s goal was his third in all competitions so far and boss Keith Andrews is delighted with how well the striker has started the campaign.
“He’s started the season really well, had a really disappointing season last year with his injury, really frustrating,” Andrews said.
“Anyone that knows him will testify that he’s a pretty special person, his appetite to be the best version of himself on a daily basis is nothing but infectious.
“Really delighted for him to start the season the way he has.”