Regis Le Bris praised the spirit and connection between players and fans as Sunderland bounced back from defeat to start 2025 with a victory over Sheffield United at the Stadium of Light.

First-half goals from the inspired Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor lit up the New Year’s Day clash, with Anthony Patterson producing a heroic penalty save to deny Kieffer Moore in the 14th minute.

Sheffield United briefly drew level when Luke O’Nien, unfortunately for him, turned the ball into his own net, but Le Bris’ side responded with a huge performance to extend their unbeaten run at the Stadium of Light to 12 games.

READ MORE: Pundit blown away by Eliezer Mayenda as Sunderland make promotion statement

READ MORE: The big January transfer window conundrum facing Sunderland chief Regis Le Bris

The win saw Sunderland close the gap on the three teams above them as Leeds United and Burnley could only draw their matches.

The Black Cats are five points off leaders Leeds but only two away from Burnley and United having gone on a run that has seen them lose only three of their last 18 Championship fixtures.

Le Bris said: “The players worked hard. It was a tough game. Sheffield played very good football and with a different squad, and a different shape, we managed that game properly.

“We played with a different style and it was very important to defend in a compact block to avoid through passes because they are very good in that part of the pitch. So we had to control the way they play, especially through our lines.

“When it was possible to recover the ball, we knew that we had two quick players in front of our block to run in behind and to threaten the space in behind their defence. We did very well in this part of the game.”

Mayenda missed a sitter against Stoke City in the previous match and had received some criticism. But he took his goal well against United and Le Bris commented: “This example is a very good reminder that we have a very young team. And they have to live many experiences. Sometimes they will struggle because they are young and they don’t know what could happen in every situation.

"They can have problems sometimes so we have to support them because they are young and we have to keep believing they have this talent and because they are talented they work hard. They work for the team. I think they showed that even when it’s difficult, they connect with the identity of the club. So it’s a good example and I hope he will keep the consistency because that is the key.”

Isidor contributed too by scoring again and Le Bris added: “He scored a brilliant goal, not an easy one, it’s not easy to score a goal like that.

“I think in this kind of game we needed something more and I think Patto our goalkeeper [Anthony Patterson] was impressive with that penalty save and Wilson scored a brilliant goal to help the team to win that game.

“It’s a reminder, the first game at Sheffield we didn't score a penalty and here was the opposite. So in football anything can happen and Patto’s performance was brilliant.”

It’s Portsmouth at home on Sunday, next, and Le Bris concluded: “It’s a new challenge, new scenario, new impetus. It’s still difficult to play so many games in a row and this one will be important for the dynamic of the team and we have to rest now and prepare for their game properly.”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder praised Sunderland for their win on New Year's Day and said: “We pushed towards the end but we needed that little bit of quality. I’ve got to say credit to Sunderland, they defended with their absolute lives. The blocks they put in, the last-ditch tackles they made. Their crowd roared them on over the line. So you’ve got to give them credit for their attitude towards keeping the ball out of the back of their net late on.”