Sunderland striker Aaron Connolly scored his first goal in red and white during the 1-1 draw against Millwall.
Aaron Connolly started up front alongside Wilson Isidor in the game against Millwall, with Regis Le Bris forced to field an unfamiliar Sunderland XI.
For free-agent signing Connolly, it was only his second start in the Championship this season. But he got his first goal for the club after 10 minutes of the game.
The 24-year-old Connolly scored a neat volley inside the Millwall box and had set up the Black Cats for what would’ve been a phenomenal win at The Den.
Le Bris was set to become the first Sunderland manager since Peter Reid to win at The Den. But the Lions scored a devastating injury time equaliser to end the game 1-1.
The Black Cats remain in 1st place of the Championship table after Sheffield United in 2nd drew their game at Coventry City.
Aaron Connolly determined to ‘keep scoring’ for Sunderland
Speaking after the game, Connolly shared his relief at getting his first goal for the club.
And it comes after what was a tough performance for Connolly in the last outing, with Sunderland fans blasting Connolly after the draw against Coventry City before the international break.
But his jubilation after scoring against Millwall showed his passion for the club. Now, Connolly wants more.
He told Total Sport after the game: “It was just relief [scoring]. Because I’ve just wanted to get that one, then hopefully I can get five, 10, 15, and just keep scoring.”
What is the most goals Aaron Connolly’s scored in a single season?
In his career as a professional player, Connolly has scored 51 goals in 182 appearances, though many of those came in Premier League 2 when at Brighton.
His goal against Millwall was his 13th in the Championship. Last season at Hull City, Connolly scored eight in 28 Championship appearances, in what was his most prolific season in senior football.
Now, Connolly has to score seven more with Sunderland this season to match his career-best for goals in a single season.
With strong competition from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda though, it won’t be easy for Connolly to score as many goals as he might be hoping.
But he’s off the mark now. Le Bris will hope that Connolly can find some confidence and go on a scoring run of form.