Enzo Le Fee has magic in his boots. On Monday night he let a little bit out and it inspired Sunderland to a memorable win over neighbours Middlesbrough at the Riverside.
Sunderland picked up an incredible three points away at Middlesbrough on Monday night, winning 3-2 in dramatic fashion as Regis Le Bris’ side make the gap between themselves in 4th and Boro in 5th now 13 points.
The Championship’s top four is becoming increasingly exclusive and the Black Cats will be hoping that their January business keeps them in there, with three players joining Sunderland in January.
Enzo Le Fee joined on loan from Roma, Wilson Isidor made his stay from Zenit permanent and capped his first game as a permanent player with another well-taken goal, whilst Jayden Danns is expected to join on loan from Liverpool still.
But it’s Le Fee who fans and indeed Le Bris are talking about after Middlesbrough. Even the national media have had their say on the impressive Frenchman.
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Enzo Le Fee earns Zinedine Zidane comparison after Sunderland beat Middlesbrough
Guardian wrote that the game was ‘illuminated by the imagination and sweet passing incision’ of Le Fee. They add that ‘Michael Carrick looked almost close to tears’ after Le Fee burst past Luke Ayling for the third and final goal for Sunderland.
On the night, Le Fee created numerous chances and grabbed himself one assist for Isidor’s goal, as well as a de facto assist for Ryan Giles’ own goal that secured the win.
BBC wrote: “The decisive moment arrived three minutes from time, a combination of skill and luck. The skill came from Le Fee’s outstanding touch that opened up the chance for a cross, which the unfortunate Giles turned past his new goalkeeper at the back post.”
Irish News also picked up on Le Fee’s positive performance. They wrote: “Le Fee starred for Sunderland and was influential in two of their goals, threading a brilliant through ball in for Isidor to score and sending over a dangerous cross in the final stages as Giles turned the ball into his own net.”
Though it was The Times that gave the most poetic verdict of Le Fee’s night at the Riverside. Labelling the 24-year-old as ‘Sunderland’s Zidane’, journalist Martin Hardy wrote: “Whenever Le Fee had the ball, however, Sunderland had moments of real quality, and it was from his cross, and a deflected Chris Rigg shot, that they equalised in the 33rd minute.
“Neither side settled, the desire for victory and to get closer to the top — and then out of the Championship — so great. Then came Le Fée.”
Enzo Le Fee ‘shone like a beacon’ vs Middlesbrough
The praise for Le Fee wasn’t limited to the media. Le Bris spoke fondly of his former Lorient man after the game, and during the game, Sky Sports commentator and former Sunderland hitman Don Goodman was also full of praise for Le Fee.
Goodman said on the commentary: “One player has shone like a beacon this evening. I’ve just loved watching him… fearless, wonderful technical ability, and more importantly, impacted the game with what he’s been doing.”
After a few games in the side and in the Championship, Le Fee looks to have quickly found his footing. It’s clear that he’s a cut above the Championship and it’s a blessing that Sunderland have him until the end of the season.
The win against Boro proves that players like Le Fee, who bring that added touch of class a side, really do win games.