Sunderland 3-1 Everton: Europe hopes revived as Le Bris’s bench calls make the difference | OneFootball

Sunderland kept their European push alive with a 3-1 win at Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

After a heavy home defeat to Nottingham Forest, the campaign risked drifting. They dug out a point at Wolves with ten men, then impressed against Manchester United. Sunderland Echo notes this had echoes of Preston North End, when everything broke their way.

Le Bris’s side had around 70% of the ball by the half-hour but little threat, with the same shape and Trai Hume wide right. Chemsdine Talbi was sent on even as an equaliser landed, then Everton enjoyed a strong spell. Further changes, Wilson Isidor, Chris Rigg and Habib Diarra, provided the burst that tilted the game.

Brentford’s late leveller at Crystal Palace dulled the mood, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late goal against Brighton kept the Europa League hopes intact. Sunderland reached 50 points and marked their 2000th league victory. With Régis Le Bris, beating Chelsea and Europe cannot be ruled out.

Second-season syndrome claims look weaker. Over the last 10 league games they sit eighth, and over the last six they are twelfth. Enzo Le Fée thriving centrally has eased earlier creative issues, though the summer window to add depth and keep key players is pivotal.

It is also good business. Last season each place was worth about £2.6 million, and 12th brought about £136 million. The lowest finish envisaged is 12th, needing defeat to Chelsea, an Everton win over Spurs and Newcastle v Fulham not ending in a draw. Seventh or eighth could add close to £10 million.

Source: Sunderland Echo