Sunderland’s season has been nothing short of remarkable, and one player stands out as the heartbeat of their success: Granit Xhaka. But here’s where it gets intriguing—the former Arsenal midfielder, now 33, wasn’t just another summer signing for the Black Cats. His experience and leadership have been pivotal, transforming games and steadying the ship when it mattered most. Take their recent clash with Leeds, for instance. Xhaka, returning from injury, started on the bench but was introduced just before the hour mark. Coincidence? Hardly. Sunderland, who had been outplayed until then, suddenly found their footing, grinding out a hard-fought away win—their first since October—thanks to Habib Diarra’s penalty and Xhaka’s calming presence.
But this isn’t just Xhaka’s story. Head coach Regis le Bris deserves a standing ovation for his tactical brilliance. The Frenchman has masterminded some jaw-dropping results, including the victory at Leeds. His strategy? Frustrate the opposition while capitalizing on every attacking opportunity—a risky approach that paid off spectacularly. In fact, this was only the fifth time this Premier League season a team has won with just one shot on target, and Sunderland now hold two of those victories. Talk about efficiency!
And this is the part most people miss: Sunderland’s ambition didn’t stop at 40 points. As Xhaka told TNT Sports, ‘We achieved 40 points, but the hunger is big. We want more.’ Le Bris echoed this sentiment, setting their sights on 43 points with nine games left. ‘Let’s keep going,’ he urged, embodying the team’s relentless drive.
Now, let’s talk Leeds. Their defeat to Sunderland was a missed opportunity—one that could have put them nine points clear of third-bottom West Ham. Instead, the gap could shrink to just three points after Wednesday’s fixtures. Daniel Farke’s side dominated possession but failed to truly test debutant goalkeeper Melker Ellborg. The penalty that sealed Sunderland’s win? Avoidable. Ethan Ampadu’s handball, though unfortunate, was a costly mistake. Diarra’s penalty wasn’t pretty, but it did the job, hitting keeper Karl Darlow’s hip and squirming into the net.
Leeds now face a tough trip to Crystal Palace, while Farke’s men, winless in four games, host Norwich in the FA Cup. ‘We’re not too far away,’ Farke insisted, ‘but more is needed.’ Here’s the controversial question: Is Leeds’ lack of clinical finishing a tactical issue or a mental block? Share your thoughts in the comments—this debate is far from over.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are soaring. With Xhaka’s leadership and Le Bris’s tactical acumen, they’re not just surviving—they’re thriving. The question now is: How far can they go? One thing’s for sure—this is a team with hunger, humility, and a whole lot of heart.
