Jobe Bellingham is every football supporter with brilliant Sunderland statement

Jobe Bellingham scored Sunderland’s winner against Swansea City and then declared, “that is why you play football.”

The teenager was in superb form again as the Black Cats roared back from two goals down to sink the south Wales outfit 3-2 and move three points off Championship leaders Sheffield United. It was a vital win for Reis Le Bris’ side and Bellingham knows how important it was to bounce back and show character, individually and as a team.

“It’s why you play football, coming through those moments of adversity,” he told safc.com. “That’s the reason you build your character so you can come back from them and they don’t beat you up.”

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That was the take-home message from matchwinner Bellingham after he scored the last goal in the 3-2 comeback win. The 19-year-old midfielder capped a thrilling game by scoring in front of the travelling support after Dan Neil’s outstanding strike and Dan Ballard’s header clawed Sunderland back into the game when they were trailing by two goals.

“Character is a big word after being like that in the first half when we weren’t at the races,” said the midfielder. “I made that mistake for the second goal and I was trying to gather my thoughts throughout the game and refocus. There is still a game to play and you’ve got to try and rectify it. The fans came so far and I’m so glad we got that moment together. It was a great moment.”

Bellingham found space in the box at the vital time to slam home and reward the Lads for an excellent second-half performance.
Explaining the move that led to the matchwinner, he continued: “Just before the goal, I said to Wilson [Isidor] to keep attacking the front post to create space for me at the back. That is routine but I just emphasised that to him. I needed to keep hitting the six-yard box.

“Riggy [Chris Rigg] got in a great position, Pat [Roberts] did some good work and got the cross in. I just smashed it in and it was a great feeling.”

The victory caps off a productive week for Le Bris’ side claiming seven points from a possible nine after a win over Stoke City and a draw with Bristol City.

“That just shows the perspective in football,” added Bellingham. “If you lose that game, it looks like a poor week but there is a lot of confidence to take from it especially going into the home game against Norwich City.”

The Lads host the Canaries at the Stadium of Light next Saturday with a 3pm kick-off.