Granit Xhaka tells Sunderland fans there are no excuses after Fulham defeat as Dan Ballard apologises | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka told Sunderland fans there would be no excuses after the 3-1 home defeat by Fulham, speaking soon after full-time on Instagram. He had just returned from injury.

Fulham completed the league double as Raúl Jiménez struck twice before Enzo Le Fée pulled one back from the spot, then Alex Iwobi sealed it late. Xhaka appeared as a second-half substitute but could not shift the momentum.

In his post, Xhaka said he was pleased to be back, accepted the setback and insisted it was back to work. The message drew more than 12,000 likes within the first hour.

The mood was one of frustration mixed with resolve after a third straight Premier League loss following defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool.

Dan Ballard apologised to supporters, saying days like this can happen, perspective matters and the response now is key. He added the team must deliver performances for fans and would give 100 per cent.

Head coach Régis Le Bris said it had been a damaging afternoon on the fitness front. Dennis Cirkin missed out with a minor issue and Reinildo remains out for around a month with a knee injury.

Nordi Mukiele and Jocelin Ta Bi were forced off in the first half, with Mukiele initially trying to continue. The extent is unclear, and Le Bris is monitoring Brian Brobbey, who struggled before going off, and Romaine Mundle, who needed treatment at full-time.

Source: Sunderland Echo