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Regis Le Bris stresses 'important' Sunderland requirement after Nilson Angulo debut

Angulo made his first appearance for the Black Cats from the bench in the weekend defeat to Arsenal before being handed his first start in Wednesday night's game against the reigning champions.

Despite coming up against makeshift right-back Wataru Endō, Angulo didn't have too many attacking opportunities in the first half, with Sunderland struggling to trouble the visitors.

But he did get one shot away on goal after a bright run from the left, and showed more promising flashes after the break before being replaced late in the second half.

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Angulo arrived from Anderlecht on deadline day after Simon Adingra left for Monaco, with the new recruit having dazzled in Belgium in the first half of the season.

The 22-year-old has impressed Le Bris on the training pitches in his first week or so at the club, but the head coach won't expect too much too soon.

He said: "The gap in the Premier League is big, so it's still important to give him time and support.

"I think he showed good quality at times with the ball and good composure. He had the opportunity to attack the box three or four times. Now he needs to learn."

Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool was the first Stadium of Light loss of the season for the Black Cats, a run and record that Le Bris and the players have been extremely proud of.

And the head coach is backing his side to bounce back, with a trip to Oxford in the FA Cup next up followed by a home game against Fulham in the Premier League.

He said: "We have to keep the same mentality.

"The journey in the Premier League, especially for a newly promoted side, it's not easy.

"It's normal to struggle at times, especially against the best teams in this league. Resilience is key, and I think so far we showed that we have this quality."

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