It was evident in the 94th-minute equaliser that saw the Black Cats bloody the noses of runaway league leaders Arsenal, with Brian Brobbey muscling ahead of Gabriel to hook the ball home in front of a delirious Roker End at the Stadium of Light.
If anything, though, it was epitomised even better by what followed at the opposite end of the stadium three minutes later. Mikel Merino looked certain to claim a heartbreaking Arsenal winner as the ball dropped invitingly for him on the edge of the six-yard box, only for Dan Ballard to appear as if from nowhere to fling himself in front of the Spaniard’s shot.
Ballard knows exactly what ‘Til The End’ means, as highlighted by the giant mural that adorns the wall opposite City Hall in Sunderland city centre. Never say die, never give up, never believe that anything is impossible. From scoring against Coventry to frustrating the Premier League leaders, Ballard keeps on producing remarkable last-gasp heroics.
“I suppose I’m maybe getting that reputation [as a man for big moments],” said the Sunderland centre-half, who had already opened the scoring with a clinical first-half finish and set up Brobbey’s equaliser with a brave flicked header when he blocked Merino’s goal-bound shot. “Hopefully, I can just keep going and keep producing.
“I think that’s been a bit of theme for us - we’re scoring late goals and defending like our lives depend on it. Again, you saw the character of the lads to score the late goal and then hang on again at the end.”
The strength of Sunderland’s collective character and resilience has been a feature of their successful return to the top-flight, and was always going to tested against an Arsenal side who went into Saturday’s game on a ten-match winning run.
The Black Cats performed admirably in the first half, unsettling Arsenal with their aggressive, physical approach and successfully blending well-organised defending, with their five-man backline adopting a low block, with bright, enterprising attacking that saw the home side commit as many numbers as possible into the opposition’s 18-yard box.
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Ballard’s opener, which came after Nordi Mukiele nodded Robin Roefs’ long clearance into his direction, was no more than Sunderland deserved given the quality of their first-half efforts, but it sparked an Arsenal reaction that reflected the visitors’ status as title favourites.
For 20 minutes, Sunderland were engulfed by Arsenal’s slick, incisive attacking moves. Bukayo Saka fired past Roefs at his near post, Martin Zubimendi cracked a shot off the crossbar, Leandro Trossard scored a brilliant goal from the edge of the area that left Sunderland trailing. For the first time all season, the Black Cats were in danger of being ripped apart.
“I think we were just on the edge after the 2-1 goal,” admitted Regis Le Bris. “Arsenal were dominant and were able to keep the ball. But with the energy of the stadium, the characteristics of our players and the background we have now, we were able to turn things around. It’s really positive for our faith and belief that we were able to change the dynamic.”
If you can successfully steady the ship against Arsenal, you can do it against anyone. Le Bris’ substitutions were once again crucial in Sunderland regaining their composure, with his attacking alterations providing renewed energy and asking fresh questions of the Arsenal defence.
Last month, at Chelsea, Sunderland’s substitutes combined to pull off a remarkable victory at Stamford Bridge. Here, again, Le Bris’ alterations were key, culminating in Brobbey, a 63rd-minute substitute for Wilson Isidor, hooking home after Ballard nodded Trai Hume’s cross into his path.
“Our four subs were really important because we are in this league, and probably our game model is really demanding for our forwards,” said Le Bris. “They don't just have to stay wide waiting for the next pass, you have to work hard with the squad otherwise we can't defend against a strong squad like Arsenal.
“So, they worked well for 60 minutes, then four players came on the pitch [Brobbey, Talbi, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda] and those finishers helped maintain the energy and quality of the organisation. And they have different profiles.”
The result, surely Sunderland’s best of the season so far, maintained the Black Cats’ unbeaten home record and lifted them back into the top four. When even the normally myopic Mikel Arteta admits to having been impressed by an opposition performance, you must be doing something right.
“You have to credit the opposition,” said Arteta. “They are here and competing for a reason, and they do what they do really, really well. They make it very difficult for you. They deserve to be where they are - but we do as well.”