Talking Points: Wilson tames the Tigers as Sunderland regain top spot!

Today at 02:18 AM

Wilson Isidor's second half strike proved crucial as Sunderland secured a vital victory over Hull. Phil West looks back at the game's main stories

Sunderland grind it out and earn their stripes

In the battle of the amber and black versus the red and white (OK, the blue Hummel third kit on this occasion), Sunderland showed their mettle and earned what felt like a key victory, even at such an early stage of the season.

It was by no means a complete performance with the Lads blowing the Tigers away with devastating, free-flowing football; indeed, it was scrappy, fractious and a touch frustrating at times, but as is so often the case under Régis Le Bris, the players emptied the tanks in their pursuit of victory and our work rate and sheer commitment to the cause couldn't be faulted.

Victories such as this build confidence; they breed an ever stronger team spirit, and they give everyone, players and fans alike, greater belief that a sustained promotion challenge might well be on the cards this season.

No post-international break hangover for the Lads this week, and with tricky-looking clashes with Luton and Oxford United to come, this was the perfect way to resume our league campaign against a game and competitive opponent.

Chris Mepham shows his class…and then some!

The on-loan Bournemouth and Wales defender was a colossus at the MKM Stadium on Sunday; so good, in fact, that I can't help but feel that Dan Ballard has a serious challenge on his hands in order to get back into the starting eleven once he's fully fit.

Against the Tigers, Mepham showed all of his experience, composure and awareness, snuffing out the danger before it became problematic, making some timely tackles and interceptions, and even riding his luck by getting away with a borderline handball shout late in the first half.

He's mobile enough to ensure that opposition attackers don't get the jump on him, but he also goes about his business with the minimum of fuss and his central defensive partnership with Luke O'Nien continues to flourish as they develop a greater understanding and compliment each other's strengths impressively.

With the likes of Ballard, Aji Alese and Jenson Seelt at various stages of their respective comebacks from injury, Le Bris may have some puzzles to solve in the not-too-distant future, but for now, the summer loan signing from the south coast looks like an absolutely inspired addition and should be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Wilson Isidor delivers when it matters

The on-loan striker had found the going slightly tricky during the first half on Sunday, as he found genuine openings hard to come by, but as the ball broke to him just inside the Hull half after the break, he proceeded to run, and run…and run, before holding off his marker and dinking the ball beyond Ivor Pandur for the only goal of the game.

It was an outstanding finish; a goal that was a reward for his persistence, composure and awareness, and more proof that Isidor is becoming a key player in the Sunderland forward line.

It's true that he perhaps doesn't press with as much relentlessness as Eliezer Mayenda, but this was his third goal since joining on loan, and it's been a while since we had a striker capable of such dynamic play and goalscoring capability, so such moments should provide a lot of encouragement.

If we can establish regular supply lines to Isidor- particularly from the wings- he could be a genuine difference maker in front of goal, and after such an encouraging start to his Sunderland career and with the fans already having taken him to their hearts, there's a real feelgood factor around him, which bodes extremely well!

A frustrating afternoon for Patrick Roberts

With Tommy Watson making a real name for himself on the back of some eye-catching displays for the U21's, Roberts needs to ensure that his performances are of a consistently high standard, but this was a tale of 'what could've been' for the former Celtic attacker.

There was no lack of positivity to his play on Sunday, but despite plenty of driving runs into dangerous areas, the final pass or the notable attempt on goal was lacking, and his second half exit after a messy clash with Hull's Liam Millar felt like it could've happened around twenty minutes earlier than it did.

If Roberts rediscovers his best form, our attack will function more effectively, but with Watson surely edging ever closer to a first team start, we might find out just how ruthless Régis Le Bris can be in the near future.

These aren't bad decisions to have to make, but perhaps the tighter confines of the Kenilworth Road pitch might allow Roberts to kick his game into a higher gear when we take on Luton in midweek.