“But at half-time, Regis Le Bris was calm and told us that…”- Eliezier Mayenda reveals what Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris did at half-time in the Championship play-off final
Sunderland Stun Sheffield United to Seal Premier League Return in Dramatic Play-off Final
As the referee signaled half-time in the Championship play-off final, Sunderland were left shell-shocked. Sheffield United had made a strong start and deservedly led 1-0 at the break.
It might have been worse for the Black Cats, but VAR came to their rescue, ruling out a goal from Harrison Burrows that would have doubled the Blades’ advantage. Chris Wilder’s men looked poised to finally break their play-off curse.
However, Sunderland emerged from the dressing room transformed. Driven by a renewed sense of purpose, they found their equaliser in the 76th minute thanks to a sensational strike from Eliezer Mayenda, sparking a surge of confidence in the final stretch of the match.
The decisive moment came in injury time. Tommy Watson unleashed a long-range effort that flew into the net, securing Sunderland’s promotion and marking a fairy-tale finish to his time at the club.
His final touch in a Sunderland shirt sent his boyhood team back to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.
But the turning point, according to the players, came during the half-time team talk from manager Regis Le Bris.
Mayenda Reveals Le Bris’ Calming Influence at Half-Time
Mayenda, a standout performer throughout Sunderland’s play-off campaign, including a crucial goal in the semi-finals against Coventry City, opened up about the atmosphere at the interval.
The game had started disastrously, with Sheffield scoring early and defender Luke O’Nien suffering a dislocated shoulder just minutes in.
“It was a roller coaster,” Mayenda told So Foot. “There was pressure on everyone, especially at the start. Losing Luke, our leader and someone with Wembley experience, really hit us hard mentally.
We were slow to settle, and they even had a second goal disallowed. Thankfully, because otherwise we would’ve been in real trouble.”
He went on to credit Le Bris for his composed demeanor in the dressing room: “At half-time, Regis stayed calm. He’s a coach who never yells—he exudes confidence. We came back out with a completely different mindset.”
Mayenda’s equaliser was a key moment, and the scenes that followed Watson’s injury-time winner will live long in the memory. “When Tommy scored, it was just madness. The most beautiful moment of my career,” he added.
Bright Future Ahead for Mayenda in the Premier League
The 2024/25 season has marked a breakthrough year for the Spanish U21 forward.
After facing challenges earlier in his time at Sunderland, Mayenda has flourished under Le Bris, showing maturity and skill in crucial moments.
Now, with Sunderland preparing for life back in the Premier League, fans have every reason to be excited about Mayenda’s potential.
Though the step up will bring new challenges, the experience and growth he’s already shown will serve him well. Without his contributions, the club would likely be preparing for another year in the Championship.
