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REGIS LE BRIS was always confident Enzo Le Fee would convert the decisive spot-kick in last night’s Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar, even though he had missed a penalty from exactly the same spot just four days earlier.
On Saturday, Le Fee was left dejected after his missed penalty proved decisive in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in front of the Roker End at the Stadium of Light, where his effort was touched onto the post by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Costspex Opticians, sponsors of The Northern Echo's Sunderland coverage
(Image: Costspex Opticians, sponsors of The Northern Echo's Sunderland coverage)
The Frenchman could have been forgiven for passing penalty-taking duties to someone else after he was felled by Alkmaar substitute Weslley Patati last night, with referee Jeremie Pignard pointing to the same penalty spot that had caused Le Fee so much pain on Saturday.
However, displaying nerves of steel, the 26-year-old rolled an inch-perfect effort into the same corner he was aiming for against Raya.
Le Bris was delighted to see the ball go in, and was always confident Le Fee would be successful, having never even considered switching penalty takers.
“We trust him,” said the Sunderland boss. “He's a good player. You can make mistakes because it's the game.
"If you step up you can succeed, you can fail, it's possible, but the quality of a player is to react and stay resilient, to show up again and Enzo is this kind of player.”
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Le Fee had to shrug off a nervy moment at the start of last night’s game, when his pass out of defence was intercepted by Kees Smit, leading to a golden chance for Ro-Zangelo Daal, which was saved by Robin Roefs.
From that points onwards, however, Le Fee was the best player on the pitch, running Sunderland’s attack and asking repeated questions of the Alkmaar defence.
He was unlucky not to score in the first half, when his first-time effort from Wilson Isidor’s square ball hit the post, and won the decisive penalty which he converted himself when he broke into the left-hand side of the 18-yard box and drew a foul from Patati.
“He's [Le Fee] a great player,” said Le Bris. “Even if he struggled a bit at the beginning of the game it shows you are always just on the edge.
“When he's in a good place and I think he is – he still has room for improvement – he's a fantastic player. He can link the play, he can create, score, and he is important in defence too. He is really well connected with the squad as well.”