Why Brian Brobbey is starting to show his best form for Sunderland
Sunderland drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening
Ballard produced a goal, an assist and a brilliant late block from Mikel Merino, while Xhaka produced another strong showing as the pair helped secure a valuable point for the Black Cats against their former club. Shearer has named the pair in his Premier League team of the week, hailing Ballard for 'epitomising' Sunderland's superb start to the Premier League campaign. The draw with Arsenal means Sunderland sit fourth in the table after eleven games.
"Ballard epitomised everything Sunderland have done so well this season," Le Bris said.
"He was really aggressive in both boxes, scored a goal against his former club and then produced a sensational block in stoppage time moments after Sunderland had equalised."
On Xhaka, Shearer said: "Xhaka once again led by example. He kept the ball moving, protected the defence and led Sunderland to an impressive result against the league leaders."
Alan Shearer's Premier League Team of the Week in full: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Michael Keane (Everton), Dan Ballard (Sunderland), Jaydeen Canvot (Crystal Palace); Granit Xhaka (Sunderland), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton); Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea), Jeremy Doku (Man City), Igor Thiago (Brentford)
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Why Alan Shearer defender Dan Ballard on Match of the Day this week
Shearer had praised Ballard's performance on Match of the Day, and rejected claims that the defender should have been penalised for an early challenge on Merino.
"I think as a defender, if he allows that forward to get across him, Merino, his manager goes absolutely berserk at him,” Shearer said.
“That's his space, and he cannot allow any forward to get across him. So he then settles himself, and then he goes for the header. He can't jump without doing that for a header. And I don't think there's anything deliberate there at all. I think it's more brilliant defending than anything else. I wouldn't allow anyone to sort of get in me or in and around me or in front of me. And that's his job as a defender. He cannot allow the forward to get in front of him. And he didn't.”
VAR ultimately agreed with Shearer’s interpretation, deeming the contact part of a natural heading motion. Ballard went on to deliver a standout display against his former club, scoring the opener and assisting Brian Brobbey’s 94th-minute equaliser as Sunderland extended their unbeaten home run on a dramatic night at the Stadium of Light.
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