Isidor's DRAMATIC winner gives Sunderland second victory in three matches

Wilson Isidor played the role of super sub as his header in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time allowed Sunderland to come from behind to beat Brentford 2-1.

The points appeared set to be shared after Enzo Le Fee’s 82nd-minute penalty had cancelled out Igor Thiago’s opener, but Isidor popped up with a late winner at the Stadium of Light.

Dango Ouattara had seen his effort ruled out for offside in the first half, but Brentford took the lead through Igor Thiago, having seen Kevin Schade’s penalty saved by Robin Roefs.

However, two goals in 14 minutes from Le Fee and Isidor turned the match on its head, as Regis Le Bris’ side held on to make it two wins from two on home soil.

The result moves Sunderland up to sixth after three games, while Brentford dropped down to 13th.

How the match unfolded

Brentford had the ball in the net after 21 minutes. Ouattara raced on to a through-ball and neatly slotted home from a tight angle, but his second goal in as many weeks was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

The Bees were presented with another golden opportunity to strike first in the 57th minute, with Reinildo Mandava penalised after hauling down Nathan Collins. However, Roefs guessed correctly to deny Schade from 12 yards.

Nevertheless, they broke through 13 minutes from time when Thiago peeled away at the far post to head home Frank Onyeka’s inviting centre.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though, with Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot once more after Habib Diarra had been fouled by Rico Henry, and Le Fee calmly slotted home the resulting penalty.

But there was still time for one more dramatic twist. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Isidor powered home from Granit Xhaka’s cross to snatch victory and send the home fans into delirium.

The late, late show sees Sunderland snatch all three points

Sunderland's Premier League return got off to an ideal start with their 3-0 victory over West Ham United on Matchweek 1. However, the Black Cats have endured a slight reality check since, losing 2-0 at fellow promoted Burnley last Saturday before being beaten by Huddersfield Town on penalties in the EFL Cup.

Nevertheless, Le Bris’ team looked bright early on as they tried to assert their authority on proceedings, but were given a scare when Ouattara got in behind and tucked home – with the offside technology coming to their rescue.

Roefs then produced heroics between the sticks to thwart Schade’s penalty, but he was powerless to deny Igor Thiago’s header in the 77th minute.

Sunderland had failed to convert each of their last four spot-kicks in the league, but Le Fee stopped the rot in the coolest of fashions.

But the hosts were not done there, with Isidor arriving to head home a dramatic winner, sending them into the international break having opened a Premier League season with successive home victories for the first time since 2001.

Sunderland will be hoping to build on this win when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on 13 September.

Bees stung at the death

Brentford had enjoyed a reverse in fortunes at the start of the season. Keith Andrews' side responded to losing their Premier League opener at Nottingham Forest with victory over Aston Villa, before overcoming AFC Bournemouth in the EFL Cup.

The Bees enjoy their travels, too, collecting 23 points on the road in 2025, with no Premier League registering more.

They thought they had broken the deadlock in the 21st minute. No Brentford player has ever scored in both his first two Premier League appearances for the club, and that record continues after Ouattara – the scorer of the only goal in last weekend’s victory over Villa – was denied.

Although Schade was then foiled from 12 yards, the visitors continued to generate the stronger attacking threat, and were rewarded when Thiago turned in Onyeka’s cross.

Yet, it ultimately proved a false dawn. Henry’s foul on Diarra presented Sunderland with the opportunity to equalise, which Le Fee duly took. Isidor then found a yard amid tired defending to condemn the Bees to their second defeat of the season.

Andrews will seek a positive response when his side welcome Chelsea on 13 September.

Club reports

Sunderland report | Brentford report 

What the managers said

Regis Le Bris: “The second half was chaotic, but these are two important parts of the same game. We showed a good ability to manage the second half and that was really positive."

Keith Andrews: "We grew into the game. I was not entirely pleased with the first-half performance. I thought we could have played with a little bit more conviction and control.

"Obviously it was a very topsy-turvy second half. Players since they've come back from pre-season have been practising their penalties. There is no issue on that. Players will miss penalties. I am OK with that.

"Our stance [on Yoanne Wissa] has not changed through the summer. Unless anything has happened today, I expect Yoanne to be a Brentford player come Tuesday."

Next fixtures

Key facts 

Sunderland have won their first two home games of a Premier League season for only the second time, also doing so in 2001/02 under Peter Reid (this is their 17th season in the competition).

Brentford lost a Premier League game against a newly promoted side for the first time in their last nine such fixtures since losing 2-1 to Burnley in March 2024.

Isidor’s goal on 95 minutes and 17 seconds was Sunderland’s second-latest winner in the Premier League, after March 2008 against West Ham (95:24)

Isidor is the second player to score both of his first two Premier League home appearances for Sunderland, after Steven Fletcher in September 2012.