Sunderland supporters showed unwavering support for their team on Saturday afternoon despite the harsh conditions brought on by Storm Darragh.
Club captain Luke O’Nien praised the fans for their dedication at the Stadium of Light, where the Black Cats secured a 2-1 victory over Stoke City in the Championship. The match went ahead despite the storm’s ongoing impact across the UK, which caused widespread power outages and fatalities in some areas.
The game was played under challenging weather conditions, with heavy rain, strong winds, and cold temperatures making it difficult for both players and fans. Reflecting on the match, O’Nien took to social media, writing: “Back to winning ways. Wonderful effort from the boys and the fans in the storm.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris commended winger Tommy Watson, who scored both goals for Sunderland in the match. Le Bris highlighted Watson’s rapid development, noting: “Players always need time to adapt, but Tommy has progressed very quickly. He has the profile we need—dynamic, able to run inside and outside, cross, and contribute to the attack.”
Le Bris added that Watson still has areas to improve, such as consistency and defensive work, but praised his performance, saying: “He’s powerful, skilled at dribbling, and fits well into the team’s system. Today, he was excellent.”
Looking ahead, Sunderland will host Bristol City on Tuesday evening, with the visitors coming off a 3-0 defeat to Portsmouth in their previous outing.
