Sunderland took all three points against bitter rivals Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Black Cats hitman struck in the 90th minute to silence the home crowd at St. James’ Park, and to seal all three points for his side in a 2-1 win. Regis Le Bris’ men had fallen behind in the 10th minute on Tyneside, but fought back to overturn the deficit courtesy of an equaliser from Chemsdine Talbi and Brobbey’s eventual winner.
And the latter’s contribution, alongside his physically imposing showing at the point of attack, has been enough to earn a nod of recognition from Shearer. The Newcastle legend has included the Sunderland star in his weekly XI, alongside Everton forward Beto and Brighton’s ex-Black Cats loanee Danny Welbeck, both of whom produced braces for their respective sides over the weekend.
Elsewhere, Shearer’s team is made up of Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels, his defensive teammate Nikola Milosevic, Brighton duo Jan Paul van Hecke and Ferdi Kadioglu, Everton stalwart James Tarkowski, Toffees midfielder James Garner, Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White, and Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
Reflecting on Brobbey’s influence during an appearance on The Rest Is Football, Shearer said: “Brian Brobbey was probably the best player for Sunderland. £17 million he cost from Ajax. You compare that to Newcastle's recruitment in the summer and what they paid on forwards, and there lies the problem. That's been a huge problem for Newcastle, the inconsistency.
“Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle in the second half and that is pretty damning. Particularly after the way Newcastle played in their first game at Stadium of Light. And he [Eddie Howe] got it all wrong in that game. And he couldn't lift his players in the second half and that is really, really worrying and disappointing. Well done, Sunderland. They were the better team. They deserved to win. Good on them, as much as it hurts me to say that.”
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Troy Deeney acknowledges Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg
Meanwhile, in his Premier League team of the week, pundit Troy Deeney has credited Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg for his performance at St. James’ Park. The teenager produced a dependable display out on the right flank, and in doing so, caught the eye of the ex-Watford striker.
He said: “It was a solid performance from Rigg in a memorable Tyne-Wear derby. He did not do anything exceptional against Newcastle but he did everything really, really well. With Rigg, you know what you are getting from him.”
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