Forget Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi, Sunderland fans hail underrated man with 92% statistic

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Sunderland’s last-gasp win at Stamford Bridge came courtesy of a Chemsdine Talbi goal, but Black Cats fans spotted another player’s huge impact.

Things did not look to be going Sunderland’s way on Saturday afternoon when Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring with his first Chelsea goal after just four minutes.

Star striker Wilson Isidor levelled the score not long after with his fourth goal of the season, and from there, the game could have gone either way.

An injury time winner from Talbi delivered all three points for the Black Cats, proving Sunderland can compete with the big teams in the Premier League.

But, aside from the goalscorers and Brian Brobbey’s assist, Sunderland fans are loving one moment that went unnoticed from the huge win in West London.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris’ long-term Sunderland ‘aim’ inspired by Chelsea

Sunderland fans amazed by Lutsharel Geertruida impact

That last-gasp winner all started with the ball in the Sunderland box as part of a Chelsea attack. When Estevao lost the ball to Lutsharel Geertruida, something truly special followed.

The Dutch defender waltzed out of the box, carried the ball a good ten yards, before launching a fantastic long ball forward to Brobbey. As his compatriot held up the ball and Talbi burst forward to claim the winner, it should be noted that Geertruida was right up there in the Chelsea box ready to make an impact, too.

Turns out the 25-year-old had sprinted the length of the pitch to join the attack in the dying moments, and Sunderland supporters are delighted with his work rate and involvement.

One fan took to Twitter/X to say: “Anyone going to mention that Geertruida played the ball from the edge of his box then was the furthest player forward when Talbi caressed that ball into the bottom corner? This was in the 93rd minute too!”

Another wrote: “Apart from the Tommy Watson-esque Talbi finish, and the fantastic Brobbey assist, the most amazing thing about this is Geertruida plays the long ball and then is our most advanced player when the ball hits the net. And he’s a defender.”

Others added, “Geertruida pre assist,” and “What has Geertruida got in his foot to ping it like that?”

Sunderland maintained their unbeaten run in London, and Geertruida played a blinder in the win. In his 90 minutes, the big centre-half registered four clearances, four recoveries, one blocked shot, and won one duel.

He also had a pass success rate of 92% in the opposition half (11 out of 12 passes completed) and 88% overall (30 out of 34 successful passes).

• READ MORE: Chelsea star ‘bullied’ as Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland earn huge win at Stamford Bridge

Regis Le Bris praises Lutsharel Geertruida

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has earned praise from his peers in the Premier League this week for the way his team operate. Now, the Black Cats boss has shared praise of his own, with a focus on Geertruida.

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“I’m really happy for him. He has worked hard so far,” Le Bris said post-match. “He arrived late in the transfer window and the other centre-backs started well, so it was obvious we didn’t want to break the momentum.”

“We had many conversations, he stayed positive and it was obvious that at some time he would have an opportunity. He did well, gave us new opportunities with the ball because he’s really versatile,” Le Bris added. “He can play as a centre-back with the game in front of him but in midfield as well. Chelsea I think struggled to find the solution with Lutsha and Trai in the middle. I’m happy for him and for our finishers who have not been involved so much so far.”