Le Fee penalty lifts Sunderland in Europa League
Sunderland marked its first European match in 53 years with a 1-0 victory over AZ in the Europa League.
Enzo Le Fee was the match-winner for Regis Le Bris' side, scoring from the penalty spot to clinch a deserved victory at the Stadium of Light.
Though Sunderland was the more dangerous side in the first half, Robin Roefs spared Le Fee's blushes early on after the Frenchman's pass was intercepted by Kees Smit, but the Sunderland goalkeeper kept out Ro-Zangelo Daal's eventual strike.
The Black Cats then piled the pressure on the AZ goal, with Jari De Busser first denying Le Fee at the near post before tipping Kevin Danso's fierce curler from range over the bar.
Le Fee also hit the woodwork before the break, striking the right post from Wilson Isidor's cut-back, while the latter snatched at a golden opportunity early in the second half, shortly after Smit poked wide for the visitors in a rare flurry forward.
The defining moment came in the 66th minute. Le Fee was brought down by Weslley Patati in the box, and the Sunderland man made no mistake as he sent De Busser the wrong way from 12 yards out.
Dan Ballard, Danso and Roefs all made crucial interventions in the space of three seconds to deny Valdemar Byskov and Mexx Meerdink, while Nilson Angulo saw a shot cleared off the line by Elijah Dijkstra as Sunderland settled for a 1-0 win.
Enzo Jérémy Le Fée
Sunderland AFC
