Regis Le Bris reacts to refereeing controversy in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth

“It’s a good point at a tough place”

Régis Le Bris on Sunderland’s hard-earned draw against Bournemouth 🤝

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Le Bris to BBC Match of the Day: “It’s a tough place. They have a clear identity, they are intense and always on the front foot. It was really positive from us to challenge this position. After three defeats in a row it’s not a question of tactics or technique it’s mindset to be honest. Today we showed it. We probably had the opportunity to win this game, especially at the beginning of the second half to make it 2-0. We didn’t score, but it’s a good point in the end.

“We had different options on the bench. We had a few injuries from Fulham as well so it was important to make a few changes and the lads are still connected with the team. We are a small group so they know with injuries and suspensions and so on something will come. When it comes you have to get ready and that’s what they did today.”

On Eliezer Mayenda’s goal: “Mayenda is in the right position on the pitch. As the striker you have to sniff the opportunity and he did it well.”

On Granit Xhaka’s return: “He’s important. In this league every team has two or three main players. Here at Sunderland we know Granit is one of those players. When he is with us you feel the difference. The way he can lead and give confidence to his team-mates is really important as well.”

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to BBC Match of the Day: “I think probably a draw is not the result we wanted but we’ve paid for our slow start. It’s taken us a lot of minutes to swich on. In the second half we were much better and closer to winning the game. But we’ve paid for this slow start. We conceded the first goal and after it becomes difficult.”

On not losing since Antoine Semenyo’s transfer to Manchester City: “It’s true, we are getting decent results. It’s difficult to go eight games without a loss in the Premier League. We are probably drawing to much. We have been drawing a lot in the Premier League. Some of them are very good draws, others not so good.

“Thirty-nine points, we lose today a chance to get those magical 40 points that everyone marks as the first thing. But we have to keep going. In three days we play Brentford so let’s go.”

On Marcus Tavernier’s great cross for Bournemouth’s equaliser: “Yes, and even the first action of Ryan Christie. In the first half we said we were losing a lot at free-kicks. We said just take it quickly, and give some rhythm into the game. It was difficult today to get rhythm into the game. I don’t think the referee has helped a lot. We did this a little bit more with tempo and with the subs I think we got a little bit more at least.

“We are a team that sees the overall picture. We score a lot of goals and concede a lot of goals. Probably for us the first goal is not important because we’ve won a lot of games after conceding the first goal and have lost a lot of games after scoring the first goal. It’s something we need to improve, the last few games we haven’t started well and this makes the game more difficult. “

Twitter users had their say after Regis Le Bris reacts to refereeing controversy in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth…

@shanehagan24: Good performance, good point on the road. Still feel robbed. Gillet is a fucking joke

@mackem49000: Robbed of three points should’ve had a stonewall penalty and Bournemouth should have been playing with ten men… Ref and VAR were a disgrace! But take nothing away from the lads awesome today, Sunderland were back today 🔴⚪️🔴😉👍

@Joey2x3s: Would’ve taken a point before the game. But that is a vile refereeing performance. It’s every game now

@SAFCBANTER1973: The ref absolutely robbed us today. Another apology incoming I bet.

@marcussbell: awful ref decisions have cost the win today, players put a shift in, onto leeds HWTL

@Ethsterrr: Jarred gillett needs investigating

@t3igs: Didn’t think the refs could get any worse than the other week

@AdamGeorgeB6: Worst refereeing performance of the season. Absolutely horrendous. Good performance and good point.

@DeanoCummings85: The premier league is bigged up as being the biggest and best league on planet earth… When its referees are as awful as they are week in week out, you cannot take it seriously. Jarred Gillett is the worst of an awful, awful bunch by a mile

@bulmer152: One of the best individual performances I’ve seen. Jared Gilet was outstanding for Bournemouth.

@ollietsafc: Jarred Gillett has indicated that there will be a minimum of one Bournemouth goal added time.