Régis Le Bris, a unique Championship manager with a doctorate in human physiology and biomechanics, as well as a diploma in the mental preparation of elite athletes, has made an impressive start at Sunderland. At 48, his journey into senior team management began just two years ago, and his decision to leave Lorient after orchestrating their relegation from Ligue One for Wearside raised some eyebrows. However, his bold move appears increasingly inspired as his young, dynamic team leads the second tier with five wins from their first six league games.
In his first Wear-Tees derby, watched by almost 43,000 spectators, Le Bris's team secured a victory that erased the memory of their unexpected defeat at Plymouth. This win against potential promotion rivals, just 30 miles down the A19, earned them three crucial points. The misty, overcast afternoon seemed to demand a moment of brilliance, and Chris Rigg provided just that. At the 24-minute mark, with Middlesbrough dominating, the 17-year-old midfielder seized the opportunity when Boro failed to clear a cross-shot from Patrick Roberts. Rigg rounded the goalkeeper, Seny Dieng, and audaciously backheeled the ball into the net.
As the home fans celebrated this skillful goal, Middlesbrough had reason to regret a missed opportunity earlier. Tommy Conway, unmarked, connected with a cross from Isaiah Jones but saw his header brush the crossbar. Prior to Rigg's goal, Michael Carrick's side had controlled the game with a patient, short-passing approach, frustrating both Le Bris's players and the crowd. However, Boro struggled to create clear-cut chances, leaving Anthony Patterson relatively untested in the Sunderland goal. The first-half challenge from Sunderland's Trai Hume, which earned a yellow card, seemed to affect Emmanuel Latte Lath's effectiveness, contributing to Boro's lack of goals from open play.
Perhaps Carrick's team could benefit from mixing their tactics occasionally, attempting a quick, early long pass instead of relying on short, precise passes. Boro were fortunate not to fall further behind when Romaine Mundle's free-kick hit the post late in the second half. Nonetheless, by then, Sunderland had already secured their victory.
