Robin Roefs brilliant, Reinildo shocking - Sunderland player ratings in win vs Brentford
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Credit: Imago
Oliver Walton
Sat 30 August 2025 17:16, UK
Sunderland fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 late on against Brentford in an end-to-end game at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland thought they had fallen behind in the first-half as new Brentford signing Dango Ouattara raced through on goal and dispatched past Robin Roefs, but his strike was soon chalked off by VAR for offside.
Brentford were then offered a golden opportunity to open the scoring as Reinildo hauled Nathan Collins down in the area and they were given a penalty, but Roefs stepped up to deny Kevin Schade from the spot.
The visitors then took the lead with just 13 minutes left as Igor Thiago headed Frank Onyeka’s cross home, but Sunderland soon hit back as Enzo Le Fee fired home a penalty after Rico Henry was adjudged to have fouled Habib Diarra.
Sunderland then completed their comeback as Wilson Isidor nodded Granit Xhaka‘s wonderful cross home deep into added-time to send the Stadium of Light into a frenzy.
(Credit Imago)
Robin Roefs – 9 – Player of the Match
Brilliant saves to deny Brentford on multiple occasions, and then came up with a huge save from Schade’s penalty.
He was booked and dived for a penalty in added-time, so was lucky to stay on, and also could have no complaints about the spot-kick as he had his hands all over Collins.
Habib Diarra – 6
Diarra won Sunderland their penalty, but otherwise was ineffective on the ball and largely anonymous throughout.
Needs to step up and grab hold of games if he is to justify his club-record fee.
Credit: Imago
Granit Xhaka – 7
The Black Cats’ captain similarly struggled to gain control of the midfield, but his quality prevailed in the end as he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Isidor for the winner.
Noah Sadiki – 6
Not his best showing but put in some decent tackles, and their team would have been so easy to play through if not for him
Chemsdine Talbi – 5
Talbi will need to do so much more to keep his starting spot.
Did not create one chance all game and had just one shot that was way off-target.
Eliezer Mayenda – 5
Also not his finest showing as he saw Isidor come on to win it for the Black Cats.
Struggled to hold it up or win duels against titans like Collins and Sepp van den Berg.
Portsmouth v Sunderland Sky Bet Championship Eliezer Mayenda of Sunderland celebrates their side s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Fratton Park, Portsmouth UK Newspapers OUT Copyright: xAndyxThomasx FIL-20570-0035
Enzo Le Fee – 7
Le Fee put Sunderland on level terms with a cooly-taken penalty, and he was their standout attacker as he constantly made life hard for Michael Kayode.
Substitutes
Simon Adingra (on for Talbi 65?) – 7
Impressive.
Adingra worked hard to keep the ball and fashion opportunities for his teammates, winning corners and fouls at will.
(Credit Imago)
Wilson Isidor (on for Mayenda 65?) – 8
Gave Sunderland the target man they needed late on and completed their comeback with a header that just crept in past Kelleher.
Marc Guiu (on for Le Fee 87?) – 5
Offered very little in his late cameo and would have wanted to be on the pitch longer to make a real impact.