Joe Hart and Danny Murphy praise Brian Brobbey’s impact as Sunderland secure dramatic derby win over Newcastle United
Danny Murphy and Joe Hart both praised Sunderland’s derby win over Newcastle United on Match of the Day, with Brian Brobbey’s performance coming in for particular attention after his decisive contribution at St James’ Park.
Murphy was full of admiration for the Sunderland striker, highlighting both his physical presence and his influence on the second-half turnaround. “How can you not love Mr Brobbey? He's a brilliant forward, a throwback in many ways. He doesn't mind the battle, the fight, the winning the headers, the getting the body in, bringing people into play; he's had some great games this season. I thought the second half team performance was terrific, but he inspired it.
“Little things like that, out-jumping the centre-halves, Newcastle centre-halves, Thiaw was on at this time, sorry that's Botman, Thiaw came on for him. But he's always in the places you expect a centre-forward to be, and he wants crosses, he wants to win headers, OK it doesn't come to nothing there because they haven't got a runner in there, but what his performance allowed was Sunderland to get up the pitch more quickly.
“More numbers, because he was holding the ball up like this, looking to bring people into play, tries to go himself this time, and they get it clear, Newcastle. But he was a thorn in their side constantly, really positive with his plays, he's got great belief in himself, he's unselfish at the right times, and as I say, a lot of the good moves that they had second half were inspired by his link-up and his ability to lead the line.”
“Simple play like that, it makes it look simple, it's not. We don't see many forwards like this anymore, we really don't, just that willingness to do the hard yards, and of course, what do you want as a centre-forward? You want goals, you want to be the hero, and on occasion this season he scored some really important goals, and today arguably the most important goal he'll ever score for Sunderland, to win this game for the second time in a season, and certainly Dan Burn, Sven Botman and the defenders know they've been in a game with this guy, and I can't give him enough credit.”
Murphy also suggested Brobbey’s style poses a unique challenge for defenders in the modern game. “I think so, we've got to see so many forwards who are technically gifted in the league, who want to come this way or spin in behind, he wants the battle and the fight, and if you're not used to doing it every weekend, then it is more difficult, but he's going to cause all teams, he has caused teams from scoring against Arsenal, he's a young guy who's come in and adapted to the Premier League really well.”
Hart, meanwhile, focused on the wider context of Sunderland’s season and the significance of the derby result. I think obviously today it was massive to win away from home, they had that amazing moment after the game, but just for that not to be the only part of the season, but at the moment they're 11th, 43 points from 31 games. They've given everyone a really tough match; anyone who's managed to beat them has had to play really well and has walked off with it.
“Really, really pleased with the performance, but I think Régis Le Bris can be so happy with his team, but they're improving and that's the best thing about them, they were missing a lot of players today, didn't affect them, they let a disappointing goal in early, away from home in a derby, kept cool, they had Brobbey up front, battering around, boys supporting him, I think they've been excellent all season.”
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