Regis Le Bris says patience is paying off for Eliezer Mayenda after the Sunderland striker continued his fine recent run of form with a goal in the 2-1 win over Cardiff.
Mayenda has had to settle for a place on the bench for long stages this season, with Wilson Isidor having established himself as Sunderland’s first-choice striker.
But the 19-year-old was handed a start at Sheffield Wednesday last week and took his chance as he scored both goals in a 2-1 win.
He followed that up with a second-minute opener in Saturday’s success at the Stadium of Light, taking his goal tally for the season to six.
“He’s doing very well,” said Sunderland’s head coach.
“I’ve said it before, he’s a good example for all the team. He was on the bench for a long period but kept working, kept trying to be involved with the team and kept trying to improve his levels. Now he’s really impressive.
“Here at Sunderland we can’t buy players at that level so we need to build them. He’s playing really well.”
Mayenda’s early opener was cancelled by out by Isaak Davies but Bournemouth loanee Chris Mepham scored the winner for Sunderland 13 minutes from time. The Black Cats have recovered from successive defeats to Leeds and Hull with back-to-back wins.
Le Bris said: “We scored early and for 20 minutes we were really good.
“It was the way we want to play. We were sharp and quick so I was disappointed at half-time. If we’d maintained that level we could have scored two or three more goals.”
With Sheffield United and Burnley both winning again, the Black Cats remain eight points adrift of the automatic promotion places and a top-two finish looks unlikely.
Sunderland are 15 points clear of seventh place but Le Bris insists his side cannot afford to coast in the final 10 games of the season.
He said: “We are not in the play-offs yet, we have to win maybe six, seven or eight more points, maybe more.
“If we are not at our best level it will be impossible to be competitive, We have to build strong momentum.”
Cardiff boss Omer Riza was disappointed to leave empty-handed after his side recovered from a nightmare start and drew level four minutes before the break.
Striker Yousef Salech had a glorious chance to put the Bluebirds in front in the second half but was denied by goalkeeper Anthony Patterson.
Cardiff remain 21st, four points above the relegation zone.
Riza said: “I’m disappointed to not leave with a point. I thought we did enough to earn a point. We switched off in a key moment, lost focus and lost the game 2-1 to a free-kick that was cheap. That’s frustrating and disappointing.
“Having got back in the game, we could have scored again when the keeper made a good save. It’s disappointing.
“We showed good character to get back in the game after conceding early. I thought we were on top at times against a good young side. To come here and play the way we did in certain phases of the game was pleasing.
“But you can’t afford to switch off like we did because you get punished and that’s disappointing.”
Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan R...
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid