Danny Welbeck's classy gesture to Sunderland fans as Granit Xhaka and Chris Rigg confront Jan Paul van Hecke | OneFootball

Sunderland’s meeting with Brighton at the Stadium of Light, on a day that began with the head-to-head perfectly balanced, was shaped by injuries, flashpoints and a contentious opener, then ended with a touch of class from Danny Welbeck.

According to Sunderland Echo, Régis Le Bris lost Enzo Le Fée and Nilson Angulo to training setbacks, with Angulo possibly four to six weeks and Le Fée potentially back sooner, while there was hope he could make the derby. Granit Xhaka and Brian Brobbey returned as Chris Rigg shifted right and Chemsdine Talbi started left, with Lutsharel Geertruida at right back and Trai Hume on the opposite flank.

A frantic start saw Ellborg save early and Lewis Dunk clear Talbi’s effort off the line. Noah Sadiki took a heavy challenge from Gomes, then later a blow to the face. Jan Paul van Hecke’s sliding block on Rigg sparked a confrontation as Xhaka stepped in, with referee Thomas Kirk calming matters, and Dan Ballard briefly looked uncomfortable after an awkward landing.

Half-time brought a warm ovation as former chairman Sir Bob Murray was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

After the break, Rigg thought he had his first Premier League goal before an offside against Alderete ruled it out, and the home crowd rallied behind the teenager. Brighton then took the lead with Diarra down in the box and van Hecke appearing tight for offside in Ellborg’s eyeline, the goal standing without an obvious VAR review. Ballard went off for Luke O’Nien on 64 minutes and Alderete’s 74th-minute header was saved.

Goalscorer Minteh was booked for shoving O’Nien, then fouled Rigg as calls for a second yellow were waved away before he was substituted. De Cuyper collided with Sadiki, Brobbey made way for Mayenda with 13 minutes left and Dennis Cirkin replaced Talbi late on.

In stoppage time Welbeck applauded all sides and later gave his shirt to a home supporter, while Wilson Isidor remained unused as Sunderland chased the game.

Source: Sunderland Echo