Habib Diarra: Senegal midfielder receives praise after Sunderland brace

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris has welcomed the return of Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra after he scored a brace to help his side defeat Burnley in a Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Monday.

Two first-half goals from Diarra put the Black Cats in the driving seat before a Chemsdine Talbi, Morocco national team forward, wonder strike put the icing on the cake in the second half.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc)

Diarra’s first goal came off Axel Tuanzebe, but it was later given to him. He was making a return to the Sunderland squad after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco where he helped Senegal to lift the trophy.

‘Habib is like a new signing for us’

“When you work hard and score two goals like Habib (Diarra) did, and you work hard for the squad, it is the perfect comeback as a starter,” Le Bris said after the game as quoted by Sunderland website.

“We needed freshness and energy because we struggled while the players were away for AFCON. Now we have their energy and positivity back, and Habib is like a new signing for us.

“We worked hard today; it was much more like the Sunderland we want to be.”

Speaking on Talbi’s effort, the coach said: “Chemsdine’s (Talbi) goal was brilliant and it shows he is confident.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sunderland AFC (@sunderlandafc)

“He was supported by his teammates because it wasn’t an easy attempt, but when you take on an effort like that, it’s because you feel confident.”

Diarra joined Sunderland from RC Strasbourg after signing a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

He captained Strasbourg throughout an immensely successful 2024-25 campaign, which culminated in the club securing European football for only the second time in 20 years.