Sunderland got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Luton Town at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, and one player in particular covered themselves in glory with a top performance.
It was mightily important for Sunderland to get all three points against a struggling Luton side this week, not just because of the Black Cats dropping points at the weekend, but also because the teams above them all won, too.
In the end, it was a very professional and very comfortable win for Regis Le Bris’ side. So much so, that when putting together our Sunderland player ratings for the game, we found it difficult to say anything remotely negative about any player on the pitch.
But, while Enzo Le Fee’s first Sunderland goal will steal the headlines, it was the tireless efforts of another player that really caught out attention.
- READ MORE: ‘How he still starts is beyond me’… Sunderland fans at breaking point with one star after Luton Town
Wilson Isidor offers a complete centre forward performance vs Luton
Yes, we are of course talking about Wilson Isidor. The French forward not only got himself on the scoresheet yet again to take his tally for the season to 11 goals, but he led the line perfectly and never, ever stopped running for the team.
Let’s first of all look at that goal, though. It was a typical poacher’s finish, with Isidor lurking in the box and feeding off the scraps, as a loose ball found its way to the striker, who applied a cool, precise, first-time finish into the bottom corner.
But, he proved yet again tonight that his game is about far more than goals. Time and time again, Isidor put in the hard yards to pen Luton down in their defensive third, never giving them a moment of peace.
We know Isidor feels somewhat ‘alone’ up top as the sole striker, but the way he holds up the ball, carves out time and space for himself and others around him, and makes himself a nuisance in the attacking areas is admirable, to say the least, and is a huge part of the reason this formation works for Le Bris.
| Statistics | Wilson Isidor vs Luton |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 86 |
| Goals | 1 |
| xG | 0.54 |
| Shots | 3 |
| Touches | 27 |
| Duel success | 80% |
| Pass success | 77% |
| Tackles | 1 |
Le Bris touched on the ‘good example’ Isidor sets for the team previously, and we saw evidence of that and then some against Luton. The manager praised the striker for continually offering a defensive presence as well as an attacking threat, and it’s clear to see that he does indeed put in 100% every single game.
In the win over Luton, Isidor had his fair share of shots, outperformed his xG, and brought others into the game with effective passing. But, it is that 80% duel success that really paints the full picture of what his game was about — he’s an old-fashioned striker, someone who’s not afraid to get stuck in and do the dirty work as well as delivering the more glamorous goalscoring moments, too.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris outlines the ‘perfect’ role for Eliezer Mayenda and Sunderland fans won’t be happy
Sunderland have got one of the best strikers in the Championship
Isidor has been hailed ‘one of the best’ in the league in his role, and it’s hard to disagree. He’s quick, strong, clinical, passionate, and works incredibly hard; you really couldn’t ask for more from a striker.
Sunderland fans love him, and it’s very easy to see why. Reports suggest Isidor cost Sunderland £5m in the winter window, but that looks an absolute bargain all things considered.
If his goals do end up firing the Black Cats to promotion, they’ll have made an absolute steal, and it will be fascinating to see what he could do in the top flight. But, if they don’t quite make it, Sunderland fans can rest assured that they’ll have the firepower needed to go again next season.