Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has questioned his players' work ethic following a heated post-match altercation after their 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. The loss, only their third in the Premier League this season, saw tempers flare between players and staff from both sides at the final whistle.
Raul Jimenez's late goal, a close-range prod past Dan Ballard, sealed the victory for Fulham, leaving Le Bris visibly unimpressed with the fracas that ensued. "For me, it's not important," Le Bris stated. "I told the players I don't like the fighting at the end – if you still have energy in your tank it means before we didn't push hard enough". He implied that the late-game energy exerted in the scuffle should have been channeled into the match itself.
Le Bris acknowledged his team's struggles throughout the game, particularly in managing Fulham's long balls and winning crucial duels. "We managed OK in the first half but we were not proactive enough to change the momentum," he said. "We had opportunities in the first part of second half but it wasn't enough". He emphasized the importance of basic footballing principles, stating, "Basics are really important in football and if you don't win this part at least 50-50, you can't impose anything".
The Sunderland boss highlighted the high level of competition in the Premier League, where any team can exploit weaknesses if opponents aren't at their best. "We have to be at our best or the opponent can exploit their strengths. The level is high in the Premier League and everyone learns," Le Bris commented. He praised Fulham's ability to attack in diverse ways, recognizing the challenges they posed. "They were good with the ball, they appreciated their ability to attack in different ways. We will face many good teams like that," he added.
Despite the defeat, Sunderland has enjoyed a strong start to their Premier League return, even drawing 2-2 with Arsenal earlier in the season. Le Bris' tactical approach and adaptability have been credited with the team's success. His ability to foster a strong mentality and team spirit has also been key. He was appointed as Sunderland's head coach on July 1, 2024, and successfully guided the team to promotion after winning the EFL Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.
Looking ahead, Le Bris has expressed interest in reuniting with Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, with whom he previously worked at Lorient's academy. He admitted to maintaining contact with Guendouzi but stated that it's too early to discuss potential transfers.
As Sunderland continues to navigate the challenges of the Premier League, Le Bris remains focused on improving his team's performance and ensuring they consistently give their all on the pitch.
