Sunderland fans weren’t expecting such a huge result vs Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Sunderland took cautious optimism into this season and indeed into this Sheffield Wednesday game.
Though many predicted a tough encounter, with Sky Sports pundit David Prutton predicting a 3-2 Sheffield Wednesday win.
But how wrong Prutton was; Sunderland were 3-0 in front at half-time and 4-0 winners come full-time.
Dennis Cirkin scored the opener before goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Luke O’Nien, with Mayenda scoring a second after the break.
It’s a huge win for Regis Le Bris in his first game at the Stadium of Light, building on Sunderland’s opening day win vs Cardiff City.
Sunderland currently sit in 2nd place of the Championship table as one of three teams to win their opening two games, with the Black Cats the only team yet to concede.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and Kristjaan Speakman who was in attendance for the Wednesday game, will be delighted with the win, and perhaps delighted with one man’s performance in particular.
Eliezer Mayenda praised following Sunderland brace vs Sheffield Wednesday
Sunderland have had striker troubles for a long time now.
Since their return to the Championship, the Black Cats have lacked depth in the no.9 position, and that depth and quality appeared to reach almost-zero this summer.
But up stepped Mayenda with his first two goals for Sunderland; the first in particular being a very well-taken goal.
Speakman, who remains keen on signing a new striker at Sunderland, will be relieved to see a no.9 scoring goals for the Black Cats.
And Sky Sports reporter Patrick Rowe was impressed by Mayenda’s performance, saying during the game: “Mayenda has been excellent today.
“His movement, hold up play and finishing have all been a class above in this fixture. He’ll be desperate to secure the hat-trick.”
How the Sunderland striker search could now change
There still remains a lack of depth and quality in the Sunder striker department. Though Mayenda’s goals could change a lot.
It could give the 19-year-old the confidence needed to go on and lead the line for Sunderland, perhaps not all season, but for spells.
And it could give Le Bris the confidence to give Mayenda yet more game time as the season goes on.
Speakman may now view the striker search as less of a severe priority, although it mist remain a priority.
If Speakman can’t get the right player in or the one he wants, which appears to be Alexandre Mendy, then he and the Sunderland officials may not rue it all that much.
That’s assuming Mayenda can keep this form up, which will be difficult, but which ill now be expected as Sunderland move onwards and upwards.