After their impressive performances in Sunderland’s 1-0 win over West Brom, two Black Cats stars were included in the second tier’s best XI of match week 40.
Sunderland beat West Brom 1-0 on Saturday in a resolute defensive display to keep building momentum for the Championship run-in.
Regis Le Bris’ side face Norwich on Tuesday evening buoyed off the back of their narrow win at The Hawthorns against former boss Tony Mowbray.
Trai Hume’s free-kick screamer, which came after 30 minutes on the clock, was the sole goal of the afternoon in another impressive display from the versatile full-back.
Two Sunderland stars crucial to the victory were recognised as part of the Championship’s team of the week and it is no surprise given their performances on Saturday afternoon.
Trai Hume and Chris Mepham in team of the week
Hume and fellow defender Chris Mepham received recognition for their Baggies displays with spots in the second tier team of the week.
Full-back Hume was instructed once again by Regis Le Bris to start in an unfamiliar left-back role, as he did in the 1-0 win against Millwall, for which he’s taken too with aplomb by scoring the game-winner in both clashes.
Amid the injury concerns for Dennis Cirkin, Hume has taken up the left-back mantle comfortably. Against West Brom, Hume made the most tackles during the match (3) and won the most duels in the clash (9) after striking the eventual stunning match-winner.
Centre-back Mepham was typically assertive and was pivotal to the win at The Hawthorns. The Welsh international won 100% of his tackles and made a last-ditch clearance off the line with full-time looming to ensure the Sunderland clean sheet remained intact.
Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson was full of praise for the back-four in front of him, labelling the Black Cats defenders as “excellent” during the crucial Baggies win.
Patterson was not hyperbolic in his post-match applause of the Black Cats defensive duo, and they will need to be at their best again this evening.
They are set to face Canaries productive duo Borga Sainz and Josh Sargent who share 31 goals between them so far this term, with “villain” Sainz the one to watch after the reverse fixture.
Sunderland must fight to keep duo next season
Hume has been one of the standout Championship performers this season and his consistent displays have unsurprisingly caught the attention of Premier League sides.
The Northern Ireland international is certainly amongst Sunderland’s player of the season contenders, with nine direct goal contributions in the process, and continues to cement himself as one of the top full-backs in the division.
Bournemouth loanee Mepham has been another stellar Sunderland performer this season and has been hailed for his “sensational” outings across the campaign.
Sunderland will explore a permanent deal for Mepham after the season curtails, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman hoping to capitalise with the centre-back’s current Cherries deal set to expire.
However, given his assured displays in the heart of Le Bris’ defence this season, Sunderland will face stern competition to secure his services permanently this summer.
The pair’s future could hinge on whether the Black Cats earn promotion back to the Premier League with suitors circling for the defensive duo.