One Sunderland star performed incredibly well as the Black Cats saw off Middlesbrough.
Sunderland managed to get back to winning ways in the Championship as they saw off a Middlesbrough side that offered very little in terms of attacking threat.
The Black Cats managed to show their attacking edge, which decided the game in the end, as Chris Rigg took the plaudits for such an exquisite finish from an acute angle with a back-heel, a moment that was truly sublime to pull off as a 17-year-old.
It was a brilliant goal that showcased just how brilliant the youngster has been so far this season for Sunderland, and it is clear that Regis Le Bris has rightfully identified Rigg as a key component in his side despite the age of the youngster.
Chris Mepham was another Sunderland player who shone, with him impressing on his debut as he replaced Dan Ballard, who looked to have been sidelined as a result of injury.
Despite brilliant performances across the field, one has particularly stood out besides Rigg, and there are no doubts over why he has been deemed ‘impressive’ following the win against Middlesbrough.
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Patrick Roberts shines for Sunderland in Middlesbrough win
Sunderland star Patrick Roberts had a fairly difficult 2023/24 season, as did many within the squad, and there was certainly plenty of pressure on the winger to step up to the side this season, or fear getting replaced.
However, he has been astonishing so far in the 2024/25 Championship campaign under Le Bris, leaving him to be deemed as ‘particularly impressive’ following the performance against Middlesbrough, per Dominic Shaw on X.
He also wrote on X that he was ‘causing problems’ on several occasions for the Middlesbrough defence.
Patrick Roberts has done incredibly well to turn around his Sunderland career
The Black Cats winger was most certainly up against the cosh after last season, where Sunderland finished 16th as Michael Beale and Mike Dodds struggled to turn around their season.
However, the way he has responded in the first six games of the 2024/25 season not only shows the brilliant character of the winger, but also the impeccable job that Le Bris has done up to this point, as Roberts is one of many players who the French coach has turned their career around in Wearside.
It is the most exciting attacking line-up Sunderland have had in very recent history, and Roberts is without a doubt a quintessential part of that, and there are no doubts that the winger will be able to continue his form, as Sunderland continue to thrive at the top of the Championship table.