Troy Deeney raves over ‘exceptional’ Sunderland ace he named in Team of the Week
Habib Diarra is beginning to hit form for Sunderland.
The midfielder arrived at the Stadium of Light after a club record £30million deal over the summer, but has seen limited minutes on the pitch through injury and his participation at AFCON.
After returning to the Sunderland squad in recent weeks, he would make just his fifth start for the Black Cats as they secured a 3-0 win against Burnley on Monday.
Diarra was believed to have opened the scoring early on, before the goal was adjudged to be an Axel Tuanzebe own goal. However, he would make amends later in the first half, with his powerful effort proving too much for Martin Dubravka.
A stunning effort from Chemsdine Talbi would seal all three points in the second half, moving Regis Le Bris’ side up to eighth in the standings.
As a result of Diarra’s impressive performance, BBC pundit Troy Deeney has been full of praise for the 22-year-old.
Troy Deeney heaps praise on Habib Diarra after impressive performance
After making the move from French outfit Strasbourg over the summer, Diarra was hit by a string of misfortune as he missed much of the season’s opening period.
Though he wasted no time in getting back up to speed against Burnley, prompting pundit Deeney to name Diarra in his recent Team of the Week.
“It says a goal and an own goal, but it’s basically two goals for him,” said the ex-Watford striker.
“He was exceptional. The wide players absolutely killed Burnley and he was at the heart of it.”
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Habib Diarra arrives just in time for Sunderland
After a lightning start to the campaign, Sunderland had begun to drop off over the Christmas period, with just one win in seven before the clash against Burnley.
Though with 14 to go, Le Bris’ side look energised, and ready to push for a European place.
Sitting eighth in the standings, the Black Cats are level on points with seventh-placed Brentford, and two ahead of Fulham and Everton. Crucially, they carry a 12-match unbeaten run at home that could well be the difference maker in the season’s crunch point.
Diarra has brought energy and drive in abundance, and as Le Bris suggested recently, is like a new signing.
Coupled with the addition of exciting Ecuadorian winger Nilson Angulo, the Black Cats have got the added impetus to go on a run akin to that of the start of the campaign.