Why Sunderland fans will like what Jobe Bellingham has had to say...
JOBE BELLINGHAM claims Sunderland’s comeback win at Swansea City proves he and his team-mates have learned from previous occasions when they were unable to turn a difficult situation around.
And the Black Cats midfielder says the celebrations that followed his winner in south Wales prove how happy he is on Wearside despite the ongoing speculation over his future.
Sunderland got off to a dreadful start at the Liberty Stadium, conceding two goals in the opening 17 minutes as their defence fell apart.
However, after Dan Ballard headed home to halve the deficit midway through the first half, Sunderland turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of three second-half minutes.
Dan Neil fired home a superb long-range finish, before Bellingham slotted home from close range to complete a turnaround that might well have been beyond them in the last couple of years.
“If we step back and look over the last year or so, you could lose that game,” said Bellingham. “I remember Plymouth last year, we were 2-0 down (and didn’t recover).
“Obviously, the fans are on your back in terms of the away crowd. You come to a stadium where, when they score, they usually win. So, when they score, they take control of the games and they easily smash teams, really. They're a really good side.
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“You look at that Plymouth game, there was a Southampton game last year where you go two goals down and you've got to show some character. We've really learned from that and that's all you can do from those tough situations, is learn.
“In any walk of life, you've just got to learn and keep moving. And I think we showed how much we've learned in the past year, not only individually, but as a team as well.
“Looking at each other, you can see that we all want it. We all want to get back in the game and we know exactly how to do it. As we spoke during the half-time break, we changed something tactically and we were back at it.”
Bellingham’s reaction to his winner highlighted just how much the goal meant to Sunderland’s players, with the midfielder celebrating wildly in front of the travelling fans.
The 19-year-old has been linked with Borussia Dortmund and West Ham in the last few weeks, with Sunderland having turned down bids from Crystal Palace in the summer, but has been at pains to point out just how happy he is on Wearside.
“When I score, I just seem to lose it, but I don't know why,” said Bellingham. “I just lose it, especially when it's in front of the away fans and with the manner of the win.
“They're unbelievable moments and that's why you play football. They're moments that you live for and when there is a bit of adversity, that's the reason you build your character so that you can come back from those moments and they don't beat you up. Unbelievable, unbelievable moment.
“I love the fans, they're amazing. The support we get is second to none. I think they're the best in the country. I'm so glad that they've come this far and they've seen a victory and there's some big away days coming up as well. You know, Blackburn, where they've sold out 7,000, they're insane, really.
“The connection between all of us is massive, but for me personally, I just feel the fondness between the fans, and I love it. Long may it continue.”