'Proud' Régis Le Bris issues emotional reaction after Sunderland book their Europa League place with Chelsea win
Sunderland secured a seventh-placed finish with a win over Chelsea on Sunday
Régis Le Bris declared it the best day of his managerial career as Sunderland booked their place in next season's Europa League with a 2-1 win over Chelsea.
The Black Cats took the lead through Trai Hume and a Malo Gusto own goal either side of half time, but Cole Palmer made it a nervous Stadium of Light when he reduced the deficit with half an hour still to play. Wesley Fofana was then shown a second yellow card after a foul on Wilson Isidor, with Sunderland surviving twelve minutes of added time to climb to seventh and book their place in one of Europe's premier competitions.
Le Bris said he was proud of the achievement and the performance his team produced to get over the line, with the hosts comfortably the better side almost from the off.
"I'm proud of the lads, proud of the atmosphere in the stadium, the connection we had once again today to create something special," Le Bris said.
"We had to win, and I think we were really focused on the way we wanted to play this game, showed good control and scored when it was on, and finally the last part of the game was well managed with maturity."
Le Bris said it was the best moment of his career.
"Top, top, top," he said.
"It's different, Wembley was absolutely fantastic as well. It's a special place in English football, and here today it's the continuity of our journey. The journey is really special because we feel the alignment in the club with our fans, and finally it's a tribute to our collective work and it's a really nice feeling."
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Le Bris admitted he didn't know the scores from Anfield and the Amex Stadium until the fifth minute of stoppage time, making for a nervy conclusion to the game.
"Really late to be fair, during added time," Le Bris explained.
"Before we were just focused on our game, which was a tough game, it was only 2-1.
"Granit came near the dugout asking what the situation was. I didn't know before. Proc [Michael Proctor] told me we were seventh: 'Oh, really? With just one minute to go, let's push till the end'."
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