Sunderland maintained their unbeaten start to 2025, in the Championship anyway, with a deserved 1-0 win away at Derby County on Tuesday night.
It wasn’t an easy win for the Black Cats, nor was it a pretty one, but Sunderland got the job done at Pride Park to keep their unbeaten start to the New Year alive.
Regis Le Bris’ side have played four Championship games in 2025 and they’ve won three and drawn one; against Burnley in the game before Derby County. Stoke City beat Sunderland in the FA Cup earlier in the month.
Derby County boss Paul Warne wasn’t impressed with Sunderland despite their win on Tuesday, which came with its controversy after Wilson Isidor’s goal was ruled out in very questionable circumstances.
It was Eliezer Mayenda who scored the only goal of the game. The young Spaniard now has four Championship goals for the campaign, returning to the XI on Tuesday and causing Derby issues throughout the game.
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What Anthony Patterson said about Eliezer Mayenda after Sunderland beat Derby County
Speaking after the game goalkeeper Anthony Patterson was full of praise for match-winner Mayenda. Patterson also had a good game: In the second half he pulled off a couple of really good saves to stop Derby from getting back into he game.
Patterson told Sunderland Echo: “Eliezer from day one of this season, all the way through, has worked his socks off for the team. You can see it paying off for him now, he’s been unbelievable. He’s a key part of our team.”
Going into this 2024/25 season, Mayenda was given the responsibility of Sunderland’s main striker. That was until Isidor came in and took the starting spot. Mayenda though has shown great improvements so far, having now become a key player, like Patterson says.
Sunderland fans in agreement about Eliezer Mayenda after Derby County
For Mayenda, this season has had its highs, but also its lows. There’s been spells of criticism aimed towards Mayenda, but that was often when Le Bris deployed him on the wing.
The 19-year-old has been playing more centrally in recent weeks. Since the change, Mayenda has looked a lot more dangerous, and Sunderland in turn look a better team for it.
After the game against Derby County, Sunderland fans had their say on Mayenda, and they’ve urged Le Bris to not play him on the wing again, but instead keep playing him down the middle.
Sunderland are back in action against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.