“‘Unbelievable Finish!’ – Sunderland Boss Delivers Brutally Honest Verdict on Coventry After Dramatic Win”
Sunderland Edge Coventry in Extra-Time Thriller to Reach Wembley Final
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris admitted his side struggled to find the right balance in their play-off semi-final second leg against Coventry City but praised their resilience and determination after securing a dramatic 120th-minute victory.
Dan Ballard’s late header sealed Sunderland’s spot at Wembley, setting up a Championship play-off final showdown with Sheffield United.
Ephron Mason-Clark had earlier equalised for Coventry in the second half, a goal that reflected the visitors’ strong performance during regulation time, as Sunderland found it difficult to gain control.
It wasn’t until the introduction of substitutes Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle that the game shifted.
The duo helped Sunderland gain momentum in extra time, culminating in Ballard’s towering header from Enzo Le Fée’s corner that sparked wild celebrations at the Stadium of Light.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Le Bris. “To score that late, in such a crucial game, and earn a place at Wembley—it’s what you live for in football. These are the moments you play the game for.”
He acknowledged Coventry’s quality throughout the match: “They played really well. Especially in possession, they were strong.
We found ourselves caught between two approaches—trying to protect our first-leg lead and wanting to attack. There was some nervousness; we’re a young team and that’s not easy to manage.”
Le Bris praised his squad’s cohesion and defensive energy, especially as the game wore on.
“We were very connected, defended with strong intensity, and knew we had the substitutions to change things late on. That’s exactly what we did in extra time—we shifted the momentum.”
On the tactical changes, he added: “We’ve talked about the 4-4-2 setup—it’s dangerous on the counter but you risk losing control. It’s always a trade-off.
Today was more challenging, but bringing on Romaine, Riggy, and Enzo changed the dynamic. We saw a different Sunderland in those final minutes, and the substitutes made the difference.”
Le Bris on Dan Ballard’s Outstanding Performance
Ballard was once again a key figure for Sunderland, dominating across both legs of the semi-final. Le Bris was full of praise for the defender.
“We needed his physical presence in the backline,” he said. “We were up against powerful forwards, and Ballard’s strength in the air, composure in duels, and leadership at the back were crucial.
He gave the team confidence—and of course, scoring the winner is just another weapon he brings. Set-piece goals like that can be decisive.”
Let me know if you’d like this tailored for a matchday program, social media post, or press release.
