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Chris Rigg becomes Sunderland’s youngest ever league goalscorer in 5-0 win over Southampton

Chris Rigg speaks as he becomes Sunderland’s youngest ever league goalscorer in the 5-0 win over Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

The 16-year-old netted his first league goal for the Black Cats as he made it five for the hosts to send the Saints home disapppointed.

Rigg scoring also meant that he also become the second youngest goalscorer in Championship history – behind Jude Bellingham.

Sunderland ended Southampton’s unbeaten start to the Championship campaign with Russell Martin’s side were blown away 5-0 by brilliant Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

It took just 52 seconds for Jack Clarke to score the opening goal before Pierre Ekwah got his side’s second with a deflected effort six minutes later.

Ekwah grabbed his second of the game to make it 3-0 Sunderland as half time approached, with Bradley Dack then adding a fourth early in the second half.

Then came 16-year-old substitute Chris Rigg, rounding off an impressive Sunderland performance with his first league goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Sunderland’s Tony Mowbray said post-match: “The result is important for the team and the spirit.

“It’s been a tough week in the build-up to it in terms of speculation around a lot of our players. In training yesterday, there were rumours about certain clubs looking at certain players and it disrupts young footballers.

“I can see them talking to each other, and yet they showed great professionalism today. We all turned up and did what we hoped we could do.

“I’m happy with the day and happy for the fans. On paper this is a really difficult game. I looked at their squad on the back of the programme and just saw name after name after name of really experienced high quality footballer.

“We have some extra attacking players now and they might watch that game today thinking how do they get in that team, but that’s OK because competition drives all footballers.”

Southampton’s Russell Martin: “I feel really sorry for the supporters that came, they were amazing right to the end and we have to make sure this is the toughest day we have and we have to learn from that.

“Initially it’s really difficult to analyse because I’ll have to watch it back, but when you concede two goals early it completely changes the complex of the game.

“The one thing we spoke about is starting well. It’s a young team at Sunderland and when the wind is in their sails they’re very good but when they have a difficult start they can then find it tough to get the game back

“But the game just went for them. They had momentum after their start, brilliant momentum and we didn’t have enough of that.

“Everything they did well – they fought, they came out on top of duels, they worked so hard – we didn’t, we went in self-preservation mode, which I think is still a hangover from last season.

“It’s the first defeat but the manner of it really hurts.”

Rigg said when watching his goal back: Hey, some leap weren’t it. Can’t put it into the words, really. Just like when I seen it go in the back of the net, I was like, turned around and then all the fans, like, oh, my God.

“And then I was, like, doing four celebrations in one and then I was going to jump on the barrier and I was like, no, I’ll fall off. And I didn’t know what to do.

“But honestly, fans are unbelievable today.”

Interviewer: “Afterwards, did you go see your dad? “

CR: “Yeah. Seeing him over there, he was just like, ‘You’ve do it’ basically, yeah. Just a proud dad, really. Everyone would be, wouldn’t they? Can’t stop watching. Unbelievable. Unbelievable.”

This is what fans said as Chris Rigg becomes Sunderland’s youngest ever league goalscorer in the 5-0 win over Southampton…

@PeterBeuster: What a great moment for the kid – lovely

@jonesynator: Top lad

@EverMore_NUFC: Fair play to him 👏

@BradleyDSharp11: What a moment for him ❤️

@Jaf_Safc: A 16-year-old who sat his GCSEs this year scored for my club today, yet I find myself, just under 3 weeks out from my 32nd birthday, contemplating ordering a 14” pizza and two sides for myself tonight. Levels to this game

@Tony_young78: You can see he just loves football. Never change young man. Big things coming your way.

@e_sunderland: One day this lad is going to be playing for England, commanding massive transfer fees and wages. A star in the making. #SAFC #Sunderland

@past_sunderland: Love this. Exciting to see how far Rigg goes. 16 years old and he’s bagging goals in the Championship. Baller #SAFC

@GrahamG14843952: Those skills!! ……and a superb header by the schoolboy!!

@JLauder91: Absolutely unbelievable. Chris Rigg, remember the name. Gan on kidda!

@AG17__: GETTING RIGGY WITH IT

@Tog41: Brilliant. I don’t think I’ve seen anybody as happy as that after scoring. Massive smile when doing a lap at the end. Well done Riggy 👏👏

@danisafcx: Isn’t he a peach man 🥹

@HuntaThePunta2: Let’s enjoy this lad. He’s going to be something else. World class.

@S_Scotty_78: Riggy Stardust

@hellensysafc: It was brilliant, was like a goal from a FIFA computer game! 🤣

@SAFCGeorge6: Buzzing for him, well played lad

@HillWalker70: You just know he’s a natural, the future is bright 🔴⚪️♥️

@C74Scott: F**King class young man, what a header

@GavinEvs: Bless him, have a shandy to celebrate

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