(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Alan Shearer will shock Sunderland fans with painful admission after West Ham win

Josh Edwards

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at FanHub and the Sunderland Echo; Sunderland University graduate. FOCUS Transfer analysis and breaking news across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Josh utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, first-to-market transfer reporting. He provides the deal detail behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on

Sunderland fans will be surprised with what Alan Shearer has done this week.

Sunderland supporters are still living off the adrenaline that stemmed from their opening day victory against West Ham, and rightfully so.

The Black Cats were excellent, and the colossus display of Dan Ballard was one of several stories that emerged from the result.

However, the antics of Shearer on Match of the Day were another, and it seems as though he might have praise for the Mackems after all, with a new announcement made.

Regis Le Bris happy at Sunderland
Regis Le Bris won his first Premier League encounter (Credit: Imago)

Three Sunderland figures names in Shearer's Team of the Week

Sunderland were up first on Match of the Day at the weekend, and while Shearer had very little (nothing) to say about the performance, he certainly did take note.

That is because he has since announced his Premier League Team of the Week, featuring three Sunderland figures from the win against West Ham.

Wayne Rooney was impressed with Habib Diarra's debut, and he made the team, alongside teammate Ballard, after another goal-scoring performance.

What Shearer said about his Sunderland inclusions

  • Diarra: "Ran the show at the heart of Sunderland's midfield. He broke into the box with power and purpose."
  • Ballard: "It pains me to choose two Sunderland players, but Ballard had to be included - he was immense. Made an impressive goal-line clearance from El Hadji Malick Diouf when it was 0-0 and then scored a thumping header to double Sunderland's lead."
  • Regis Le Bris: "Premier League debuts don't get much better than this for managers - three goals, a clean sheet and a winning start."

Regis Le Bris was named his manager of the week, which is just a testament to the progress this Sunderland side has made under his guidance.

Burnley are up next for Sunderland, in a game that already means a lot despite it being only the second of the season.

Shearer's Premier League TOTW
Shearer's Premier League TOTW

Diarra can be special for Sunderland

With a lot of focus on Ballard and plenty on the initial impressions of Noah Sadiki, Diarra's performance has somewhat gone under the radar.

The Senagalese midfielder was everywhere, and very nearly marked his debut with a goal had it not been for a superb save from Mads Hermansen.

At just 21 years old, Diarra has the potential to be something special, and he will be a very exciting talent to watch throughout the campaign.

Sign up for the Mackem News WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking Sunderland AFC news sent straight to your phone

www.mackemnews.com