Wilson Isidor scored again as Sunderland lost 2-1 to Championship rivals Leeds United on Monday night.
The Black Cats were underdogs for the trip to Elland Road and yet they took the lead in the first half as Isidor made the most of a rare opportunity.
Unfortunately for Regis Le Bris’ team, they were unable to hold on to the three points – or even one – as Pascal Struijk scored both the equaliser and the winner.
Sunderland can still take pride in their performance and Michael Bridges had plenty to say about goalscorer Isidor.
Michael Bridges praises Sunderland goalscorer Wilson Isidor
Isidor put the visitors in front after 32 minutes against the run of play as Leeds dominated possession throughout.
The Frenchman made a dangerous run behind the home side’s defence and centre-back Dan Ballard played a long pass for him to chase.
Isidor not only controlled the ball but shrugged off Ethan Ampadu and finished cooly into the bottom corner of Illan Meslier’s goal.
It was an excellent effort that deserved to be praised and ex-Sunderland and Leeds forward Michael Bridges did exactly that at half-time.
“The way that he made the initial run. He’s trying to get Ethan Ampadu to go into a place that he doesn’t want to,” Bridges said on Sky Sports.
“There’s movement left to right to create the space but what I love about this is the way he used his arms and his hands. He feels where Ethan Ampadu is with his left hand. He rolls him.
“He knows he’s got the upper hand. Ampadu can’t foul him – he tries to. And then what all good strikers are told to do. Can you go low and hard across the goalkeeper into the far corner?
“He could’ve gone down for a penalty as well. I respect Isidor’s honesty in staying up. He’s scored 12 goals [and] 11 of them have come inside the penalty area. He’s a man in form.”
Where Wilson Isidor ranks in Championship Golden Boot race
Isidor, whose initial loan turned into a permanent move in the January transfer window, has been one of the top strikers in the Championship this season.
He started the match against Leeds with 11 goals and in joint-fourth position in the race for the Golden Boot.
After his superb first-half effort which gave Sunderland the lead, the 24-year-old is now tied for third alongside West Bromwich Albion’s Josh Maja.
| Name | Goals | Assists | Games |
| Borja Sainz (Norwich) | 15 | 3 | 28 |
| J. Piroe (Leeds) | 14 | 6 | 32 |
| J. Maja (West Brom) | 12 | 2 | 26 |
| W. Isidor (Sunderland) | 12 | 1 | 30 |
Isidor is three goals behind Norwich City winger Borja Sainz with 13 games left in the 2024/25 campaign (excluding the play-offs).
He’s certainly not the favourite to take home the award in May but it wouldn’t be overly surprising given the rich vein of form he’s currently in.