Mayenda's double helps Sunderland pass tough test
Sunderland came away from Hillsborough with all three points after claiming a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday that further cemented its place in the top four.
But it was a far from convincing win for Regis Le Bris' side, which could have gone behind several times inside the first half an hour as the hosts produced the best of the chances.
Indeed it was with some fortune that Sunderland somehow went ahead in the 34th minute when Leo Hjelde launched a long ball forward for Eliezer Mayenda to chase. The forward did just that, and bundled the ball into the back of the net via a deflection, but replays suggested he'd used his arm to control the ball initially.
Boos rang out through the ground, but they turned to cheers two minutes after the break when Callum Paterson expertly guided the ball into the back of Sunderland's net with his head to level matters.
Paterson was involved again when he fed Svante Ingelsson just minutes later, but the Swede's powerful shot was well parried by Anthony Patterson in the Black Cats' goal to keep the scores level.
That save would prove crucial as Sunderland took the lead in the 71st minute, again through Mayenda, who headed home an excellent cross from the right by Trai Hume to seal the victory and move the visitors to within three points of third-placed Burnley ahead of the weekend's other matches.
Le Bris lauded Sunderland's character after watching his side revive its hopes of a top-two finish.
Speaking after the game, he suggested that his team's resilience was what helped it get over the line.
"Important win after two defeats, on a difficult pitch, but that was the case for both teams," Le Bris said.
"We started well and after that, the dynamic of the game was a little bit strange because it wasn't easy to keep the ball and impose our style of play.
"But at least we showed our character; especially after the equaliser at the beginning of the second half, it was important to react. It was a good win, a good three points.
"It's not always a question of football qualities, it's a question of character and I think the resilience of the team, the connection.
"With new starters, players who came in at the end of the game - we felt the energy and the willingness to win, even if it wasn't impressive from the quality of the football."
Danny Rohl, meanwhile, fumed at the decision to award Mayenda's opener, insisting that the goal was pivotal in deciding the outcome of the contest.
Indeed, the defeat saw Wednesday lose three consecutive EFL Championship games for the first time since August 2024, leaving it 13th on the Championship table.
"I must say again, we played a fantastic game again against a strong side. We conceded two easy goals, and then you have a big decision go against you," Rohl said.
"It's football at the moment. But the conceded goals are too easy and, for me, this is the main part.
"When I saw the goal we conceded, it was handball. That's the reason why I have a clear mind about what we need to do in this situation.
"At the moment, it's the result - what should I do? For me, it's about what I can change as a manager of this group, and we have to work hard, do the basics right again and again.
"The ball possession and how we created chances was good to see; it was the dynamic, the front-foot defending; we were brave in a lot of moments, but it ended 2-1 against us.
"If we continue our performances like this, in the final 11 games we have a big, big opportunity to take something."
