Sunderland kicked off 2025 with a massive win against fellow promotion-chasers, Sheffield United, and one player in particular has been picked out for praise.
Even with Sunderland’s incredible unbeaten home record, few would have expected them to overcome Sheffield United in this top-of-the-table clash.
However, it was Sunderland who came out on top in a 2-1 win against the Blades, with goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor sealing all three points for Regis Le Bris’ side.
It’s a win that takes Sunderland within two points of the automatic promotion spots now, and offers a real signal of intent for their promotion charge this season.
Eliezer Mayenda was a deserving man of the match vs Sheffield United
Speaking to Sky Sports as part of the post-match analysis, former Ipswich Town icon Luke Chambers was full of praise for Mayenda in particular, who proved his critics wrong with a match-winning performance at the Stadium of Light.
Chambers said: “The take from Mayenda with his left foot, to steady himself and then finish… He’s finished it tremendously well which sums up why he got man of the match today. He was absolutely first class.”
Mayenda scored the opening goal of the game, before assisting Isidor less than ten minutes later to restore Sunderland’s lead, to take his goal contribution tally to seven for the season.
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Redemption story for Eliezer Mayenda is testament to Sunderland’s quality
Given the quality of his display against Sheffield United, in what has been described as his best game of the season, it’s incredible to think that Mayenda was public enemy number one around Sunderland just days ago.
Sunderland fans wanted Mayenda to be dropped after his poor performances against Stoke and Blackburn, but Le Bris handed him a surprise start versus the Blades, and it paid off.
Such is the nature of football, really: One day, you can be criticised, the next, you’re the hero of the hour. All Mayenda can do now is ride this wave of glory, and hopefully put together a good run of form moving forward.
One thing’s for sure, the fact that Mayenda stepped up this time is testament to just how many game-changing players Le Bris has in the Sunderland squad, and you never know who is going to produce the goods week in, week out.