Latest news with #Mayenda
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D0%2C0%2C0%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Sunderland ace seals magic turnaround from Hibs struggle and books star's Premier League spot
A former Hibs star is going to the Premier League with Sunderland - and seals a possible top flight chance for an ace who's thrived in Leith. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former Hibs player has helped Sunderland to the Premier League - and sent a thriving Hibee along for the ride. Eliezer Mayenda spent the second half of the 23/24 campaign on loan at Hibs but exited quietly after just four outings with no goals or assists. He arrived alongside Nectar Triantis from the Black Cats and while the defender turned all action midfielder had a second coming at Hibs to great affect, Mayenda stayed to fight for his place at Sunderland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He has managed to do so to in stunning fashion, scoring one of the goals in their 2-1 Championship play-off final win at Wembley against Sheffield United. It books Sunderland's place back in the Premier League after Tommy Watson's late effort sparked emotional scenes at England's national stadium, capping off an incredible comeback story for Mayenda, who's netted 10 goals this season. Former Hibs star helps book Sunderland return to Premier League Commentator Daniel Mann said as the ball flew in: 'Well finally they put it together and that is the result, Sunderland have suddenly produced a magic moment out of nowhere.' What it means for Triantis remains to be seen, now that his parent club have reached the Premier League, with a possible top flight chance in England opening up. Hibs will likely be keen to have him again ahead of their European qualifiers in July plus defence of Scotland's third spot. He became a virtual ever-present in David Gray's midfield and form had him nominated for the SFWA Player of the Year award. Mayenda said of his first season at Sunderland earlier this month to the Athletic, which included the spell at Hibs: 'Last season was my first season and when I started training with my new team-mates I said to my dad, 'We've a good a team here, we just need patience'. If we get patience, we can do something here, because these are good young players. I said it to supporters last season, 'Patience. Let the players work, let the players work. The results will come'. When I saw the name Sunderland, I said to my dad that I didn't want to go to the French First Division, I want to go to Sunderland. It was just my feeling, I can't tell you why exactly, it was just a natural connection. Sunderland was special. I knew it was historic in England, it had been in the Premier League and everyone has seen the documentary on Netflix.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Hibs man had unexpected chance His boss, Regis Le Bris, said of Mayenda during the play-off run: 'He got an unexpected opportunity. It's rare when you work with your lineup at the start of the season and say: 'This player will play 25 games, we can build a pathway for him'. More often, a player is in the squad but not really a starter. 'Then there is an injury and a player will seize this opportunity, because he is connected. He will say: 'I'm here and I will show you'. The best players in the world are like that and Eli showed this quality. Even he didn't expect this season. Now it's a question of consistency.'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sunderland edge Coventry in Championship play-off semi-final first leg after late Eliezer Mayenda goal
Eliezer Mayenda scored a late winner as Sunderland flipped the form book on its head to beat Coventry 2-1 and steal a march in their Championship play-off semi-final. Despite finishing seven points ahead of their opponents, Sunderland's form had flat-lined towards the end of the regular season with five successive defeats and just one goal in a six-game winless streak. But, after defending resolutely against a side they had lost 3-0 to in March, Sunderland were clinical on the counter-attack and Mayenda's 88th-minute goal gave the Black Cats a 2-1 victory. Wilson Isidor had put Sunderland ahead after 68 minutes but while their opponents were level within 110 seconds thanks to Jack Rudoni, Mayenda had the final say at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Coventry had won seven of their last eight matches at home but they will now need to pick themselves up for Tuesday's second leg at the Stadium of Light as they bid for a second play-off final in three years. Sunderland's lack of confidence was epitomised early on by Anthony Patterson flapping horribly and cleaning out a couple of his own defenders following Jay Dasilva's innocuous header back into the area. But as Haji Wright, Coventry's hat-trick hero against Sunderland just a few weeks ago, tripped, the covering Luke O'Nien spared his goalkeeper's blushes, clearing just a couple of feet from his own line. The visitors, though, were largely content to soak up pressure and frustrate Coventry, while the half-chances were squandered as Ben Sheaf sliced wide from a decent position and Matt Grimes volleyed over. Mayenda demonstrated Sunderland's counter-attacking threat by bursting forward from his own half, shrugging off Liam Kitching's challenge before firing just wide, with Ben Wilson well beaten. For all of Coventry's possession, that was the best chance of the half and the pattern continued after the interval, with Brandon Thomas-Asante unable to get on top of Dasilva's cross as he headed over. At the other end, Jobe Bellingham worked himself into an excellent position but struck team-mate Dan Ballard before Sunderland were rewarded from another break with Isidor finishing with aplomb. The Frenchman ghosted into space down Sunderland's left and latched on to Enzo Le Fee's ball behind the Coventry defence before racing unchallenged into area and firing across a helpless Wilson. Perhaps in disbelief at their first goal in four matches, with Isidor ending a drought stretching back to February, Sunderland were uncharacteristically loose and conceded within two minutes of going ahead. Milan van Ewijk, perhaps guilty of allowing Isidor too much space a couple of minutes earlier, raced to the byline and directed a cross for an unmarked Rudoni to head home his fourth goal in three games. While the crowd erupted and the hosts pushed forward at every opportunity, Sunderland showed they were not settling for a draw as Patrick Roberts curled narrowly wide before Mayenda struck. The 20-year-old took advantage of a wayward pass back from Van Ewijk to get to the ball first, round Wilson, who had hared out of his area, and coolly dispatched into an empty net.
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
It's not over – Frank Lampard ready for challenge of turning around deficit
The Black Cats flipped the form book on its head in the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final, ending a five-match losing run with a 2-1 victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Second-half goals from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda – two minutes from time – capped a counter-attacking masterclass from Sunderland, who are seeking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2007. Former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard, who led Derby to a famous play-off win over Leeds after losing the first leg five years ago, insisted everything is still to play for in Tuesday's return game. Mayenda's late winner gave Sunderland the first-leg advantage (Bradley Collyer/PA) Lampard, though, will not be drawing on previous experiences, as he said: 'I manage a different team, they're a different team, that was a past thing. 'I've played many two-legged games – Champions League football – so I understand that this was never going to be over (after the first leg) and it's not over, that's for sure. 'Sunderland will know it's not over. It's half-time – we go again. Football's not easy, it's not meant to be easy. We're one behind and they're favourites, which is fine. It will be a good challenge.' A compact Sunderland defended resolutely behind two banks of four before Isidor put them ahead after a quick break in the 68th minute but Jack Rudoni headed home 110 seconds later to draw Coventry level. The home crowd were silenced two minutes from time when Milan van Ewijk's wayward back pass allowed Mayenda, who turned 20 on Thursday, to break free, round goalkeeper Ben Wilson and score. Win as one. Lose as one. Heads held high. We go again on Tuesday. 🩵 — Coventry City (@Coventry_City) May 9, 2025 Van Ewijk was distraught at full-time, leaving the ground in tears, but Lampard said: 'I'll speak to him. It's football. He's been brilliant for us this season. Mistakes happen in football. 'Sunderland defended the box brilliantly and made it hard for us to find space and get clear opportunities. Look, it's a play-off game, I wasn't expecting them to open the door for us. 'We'll have to be adaptable on (Tuesday) to try and find a way to win whatever they do. There's pressure on us both in different ways.' Sunderland had scored just once in a winless streak of six games as their form flat-lined towards the end of the regular campaign. But Regis Le Bris said: 'I never had doubt about the level of our team; we showed so many times that we were ready to play good games in big games so why not now? For me it was obvious.' The key, according to the Frenchman, was to have a fully fit and refreshed squad at his disposal. He added: 'That was really important because the energy we showed, the connection, the commitment was what you need in the play-offs. 'If you don't trust your players and don't support them when it's tough, you will lose them. For me it wasn't the case.'
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
It's not over – Frank Lampard ready for challenge of turning around deficit
The Black Cats flipped the form book on its head in the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final, ending a five-match losing run with a 2-1 victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Second-half goals from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda – two minutes from time – capped a counter-attacking masterclass from Sunderland, who are seeking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2007. Former England and Chelsea midfielder Lampard, who led Derby to a famous play-off win over Leeds after losing the first leg five years ago, insisted everything is still to play for in Tuesday's return game. Mayenda's late winner gave Sunderland the first-leg advantage (Bradley Collyer/PA) Lampard, though, will not be drawing on previous experiences, as he said: 'I manage a different team, they're a different team, that was a past thing. 'I've played many two-legged games – Champions League football – so I understand that this was never going to be over (after the first leg) and it's not over, that's for sure. 'Sunderland will know it's not over. It's half-time – we go again. Football's not easy, it's not meant to be easy. We're one behind and they're favourites, which is fine. It will be a good challenge.' A compact Sunderland defended resolutely behind two banks of four before Isidor put them ahead after a quick break in the 68th minute but Jack Rudoni headed home 110 seconds later to draw Coventry level. The home crowd were silenced two minutes from time when Milan van Ewijk's wayward back pass allowed Mayenda, who turned 20 on Thursday, to break free, round goalkeeper Ben Wilson and score. Win as one. Lose as one. Heads held high. We go again on Tuesday. 🩵 — Coventry City (@Coventry_City) May 9, 2025 Van Ewijk was distraught at full-time, leaving the ground in tears, but Lampard said: 'I'll speak to him. It's football. He's been brilliant for us this season. Mistakes happen in football. 'Sunderland defended the box brilliantly and made it hard for us to find space and get clear opportunities. Look, it's a play-off game, I wasn't expecting them to open the door for us. 'We'll have to be adaptable on (Tuesday) to try and find a way to win whatever they do. There's pressure on us both in different ways.' Sunderland had scored just once in a winless streak of six games as their form flat-lined towards the end of the regular campaign. But Regis Le Bris said: 'I never had doubt about the level of our team; we showed so many times that we were ready to play good games in big games so why not now? For me it was obvious.' The key, according to the Frenchman, was to have a fully fit and refreshed squad at his disposal. He added: 'That was really important because the energy we showed, the connection, the commitment was what you need in the play-offs. 'If you don't trust your players and don't support them when it's tough, you will lose them. For me it wasn't the case.'
The 42
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Eliezer Mayenda's late winner gives Sunderland edge over Coventry in play-off
ELIEZER MAYENDA scored a late winner as Sunderland flipped the form book on its head to beat Coventry 2-1 and steal a march in their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final. Despite finishing seven points ahead of their opponents, Sunderland's form had flat-lined towards the end of the regular season with five successive defeats and just one goal in a six-game winless streak. But, after defending resolutely against a side they had lost 3-0 to in March, Sunderland were clinical on the counter-attack and Mayenda's 87th-minute goal gave the Black Cats a 2-1 victory. Wilson Isidor had put Sunderland ahead after 68 minutes, but while their opponents were level within 110 seconds thanks to Jack Rudoni, Mayenda had the final say at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Coventry had won seven of their last eight matches at home, but they will now need to pick themselves up for Tuesday's second leg at the Stadium of Light as they bid for a second play-off final in three years. Advertisement Sunderland's lack of confidence was epitomised early on by Anthony Patterson flapping horribly and cleaning out a couple of his own defenders following Jay Dasilva's innocuous header back into the area. But as Haji Wright, Coventry's hat-trick hero against Sunderland just a few weeks ago, tripped, the covering Luke O'Nien spared his goalkeeper's blushes, clearing just a couple of feet from his own line. The visitors, though, were largely content to soak up pressure and frustrate Coventry, while the half-chances were squandered as Ben Sheaf sliced wide from a decent position and Matt Grimes volleyed over. Mayenda demonstrated Sunderland's counter-attacking threat by bursting forward from his own half, shrugging off Liam Kitching's challenge before firing just wide, with Ben Wilson well beaten. For all of Coventry's possession, that was the best chance of the half, and the pattern continued after the interval, with Brandon Thomas-Asante unable to get on top of Dasilva's cross as he headed over. At the other end, Jobe Bellingham worked himself into an excellent position but struck team-mate Dan Ballard before Sunderland were rewarded from another break with Isidor finishing with aplomb. The Frenchman ghosted into space down Sunderland's left and latched on to Enzo Le Fee's ball behind the Coventry defence before racing unchallenged into the area and firing across a helpless Wilson. Perhaps in disbelief at their first goal in four matches, with Isidor ending a drought stretching back to February, Sunderland were uncharacteristically loose and conceded within two minutes of going ahead. Milan van Ewijk, perhaps guilty of allowing Isidor too much space a couple of minutes earlier, raced to the byline and directed a cross for an unmarked Rudoni to head home his fourth goal in three games. While the crowd erupted and the hosts pushed forward at every opportunity, Sunderland showed they were not settling for a draw as Patrick Roberts curled narrowly wide before Mayenda struck. The 20-year-old took advantage of a wayward pass back from Van Ewijk to get to the ball first, round Wilson, who had hared out of his area, and coolly dispatched it into an empty net.
