Sunderland secured an impressive 1-0 victory over Leeds United on Tuesday night and Trai Hume was more ‘crucial’ than Jobe Bellingham in that win.
Bellingham scored the only goal of the game as the Englishman was in the right place at the right time to nod past an onrushing Illan Meslier.
The 18-year-old, who played as a lone striker in the victory over West Bromwich Albion, switched back to a central midfield position in this contest as Mike Dodds brought in Alex Pritchard as a false nine.
Despite scoring the winning goal which kept Sunderland in sixth position, the talented teenager was outperformed by one of his teammates on the night as Trai Hume put in an outstanding performance.
Trai Hume was magnificent in the victory over Leeds
Hume’s performance against the Whites embodied everything he’s about; a ferocious presser of the ball, a machine in the tackle and excellent at sniffing out danger.
The 21-year-old demonstrated the latter when he made a clearance off the line late on, in a moment that was hailed as ‘crucial’ by Sunderland Echo’s Phil Smith and proved pivotal in securing all three points for his side.
A defensive titan, who never shirks out of a challenge and is known for timing them to perfection, restricted one of the best wingers in the league to limited opportunities.
Dodds switched to a 3-4-3 system for this match, perhaps to double up on the Leeds danger men, Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville.
His tactical decision certainly paid off as Hume put in a defensive performance that was dubbed by journalist Josh Bunting as ‘outstanding’.
He won a whopping five of his nine ground duels and flew into five tackles while showing his defensive awareness by making four interceptions and three clearances, as per Sofascore.
How has Trai Hume performed this season?
The Northern Ireland international was, quite simply, a brick wall down the right side for Sunderland and that has been the case throughout this campaign.
In 21 Championship appearances, he ranks in the top 6% against his positional peers for tackles, top 7% for clearances and top 2% for aerials won, as per FBref.
Sunderland supporters tend to fall in love with anyone who shows passion in the shirt and enjoys flying into full-blood challenges which is why he’s slowly becoming a fan-favourite at the Stadium of Light.
Although Bellingham will take the plaudits for his goal, Hume’s magnificent defensive display helped the Black Cats hold onto all three points.