“Régis Le Bris Breaks Silence on Sunderland Defeat – Hints at Shock Decision Over Trai Hume Red Card
Bristol City Fight Back to Defeat 10-Man Sunderland at Ashton Gate
Sunderland suffered a tough defeat at Ashton Gate as Bristol City came from behind to secure a 2-1 win, capitalizing on an early red card shown to Trai Hume.
Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris admitted the sending off – just minutes into the match – was harsh but hinted that the club may not appeal the decision. With the play-offs looming, he suggested that resting Hume for Monday’s clash with Blackburn Rovers could be the more strategic option.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Sunderland initially took the lead through a stunning solo effort from Eliezer Mayenda. However, Bristol City turned things around in the second half with two goals to claim all three points.
“The red card changed the whole dynamic of the game,” Le Bris said. “Playing with ten men for nearly 85 minutes was difficult. We started strongly and the game was fairly balanced for 20 to 25 minutes. We scored a great goal and defended well, but with so many crosses and shots, there’s always a risk. Their equaliser gave them energy and momentum.”
Le Bris is weighing up whether to contest the red card but emphasized the importance of managing the squad effectively ahead of the promotion play-offs.
Positives Despite the Loss
Despite the result, Le Bris drew positives from the team’s effort and believes the experience could benefit them in high-pressure situations later in the season.
“It was a valuable experience,” he said. “If we face a similar challenge in the play-offs, we can draw on this. Even with ten men, the game ended 2-1—we’d have a second leg at home in that scenario. Hopefully it won’t happen again, but we’ll be ready if it does.”
Le Bris also praised the squad’s resilience and the way they’ve bounced back from setbacks in the past. “I’m confident in this team’s character. Maybe we don’t have the best starting XI right now, but we’re building a strong, ready squad of 16-18 players for the play-offs—that’s what truly matters.”
