Sunderland boss Le Bris on Xhaka challenge, penalty call and draw with Bournemouth | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris says his side were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth – and believes Sunderland’s opponents were also fortunate not to receive a red card.

Eliezer Mayenda gave Sunderland the lead in the first half, before Evanilson’s second-half equaliser saw the game end level.

But Le Bris felt his side could have been awarded a very early penalty when Enzo Le Fee went down following a push from behind.

“I think it would have changed things a lot, but it is what it is,” the Sunderland boss said. “We can’t change the decision now.”

Le Bris also believes Tyler Adams’ tackle on Granit Xhaka, who went off later in the second half, was a dangerous one.

“It was a foot-on-foot challenge, and that is always dangerous,” he said.

“Often in this league, when you have this kind of action, it is a red card. It wasn’t, even though it was really dangerous.

“There were a couple of situations like that where things were just on the edge for the integrity of the players. I think it is important to protect them, even if the intensity of the game was high. It was right on the edge today.”

Xhaka started his first game since coming back from injury against Bournemouth and Le Bris praised the instant impact the midfielder had on his side.

“He’s important because he sets the tone,” he explained.

“He’s a good player, first of all.

“In this position, the six position, when you have a player of this quality it helps definitely because he will always connect to receive, pass, play forward when it’s on and switch the play.

“For the confidence of the young lads I think it’s important to have a player like him. He can manage emotions, he can set the tone as well, the standards. He’s so important for us as well.

“It is a good point after a run of three defeats.”