Sunderland fans applaud Wataru Endo as Régis Le Bris hands Nilson Angulo debut | OneFootball

Sunderland supporters showed their class by applauding Wataru Endo as he was stretchered off during a sobering stoppage at the Stadium of Light. It came on a night of fine margins and evocative subplots.

Before kick-off, Sunderland were 11th on 36 points from 25 matches, level with Newcastle and three points off the top half. Liverpool arrived sixth on 39, aware defeat could drag them towards mid-table. Sunderland Echo noted the subplots were plentiful.

The club paid tribute to super fan George Forster, who died aged 99, with a book of condolence at the Beacon of Light.

Régis Le Bris handed Nilson Angulo his full debut, the only change from the 3-0 loss at Arsenal, with Chemsdine Talbi on the bench. It was a tweak rather than a reshuffle, Trai Hume stayed in his hybrid role and Noah Sadiki anchored midfield.

A beach ball briefly halted play, a nod to Darren Bent’s 2009 winner that deflected past Pepe Reina for a 1-0 victory. This time it came from Sunderland supporters, prompting a ripple of laughter.

Midway through the second half, Endo went down and required lengthy treatment. He received gas and air as medical staff attended, then was stretchered off to applause from both sets of fans.

It was Sunderland’s first home league defeat of the season, and their first at the Stadium of Light since the 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on May 3.

Source: Sunderland Echo