Enzo Le Fee posts seven-word message to Sunderland fans after panenka miss against Brentford

Enzo Le Fée wasted little time in addressing his missed penalty during Sunderland’s defeat at Brentford, sharing a brief but resolute message on social media in the early hours after the final whistle.

The turning point came shortly after the break, when Sunderland were handed a prime chance to draw level. Le Fée opted for a subtle effort down the centre from the spot, but Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher read it comfortably and made the save. The miss proved costly, with Brentford seizing control soon after and shifting the momentum decisively in their favour.

Despite the disappointment, Le Fée has been among Sunderland’s most influential players this season, quickly establishing himself as a key component under Régis Le Bris. His creativity, technical ability and composure in tight spaces have made him central to the Black Cats’ play, and his post-match message was seen as taking responsibility rather than deflecting blame.

The midfielder posted a black-and-white photo of himself on Instagram with the caption: “A difficult night.. React and go again 💪🏽”, acknowledging the setback while underlining his determination to bounce back.

Head coach Le Bris echoed that sentiment after the match, emphasising collective accountability and rejecting the idea of singling out individuals. He stressed the importance of learning as a group and responding together — a stance that closely mirrored Le Fée’s own reaction.

Sunderland ultimately fell to a heavy defeat, but Le Bris was quick to defend his player. “When we win, we react as a team. When we lose, we react as a team as well. It’s not about individuals, it’s about the whole squad,” he said. “When you take risks, mistakes can happen. That’s football. We need to learn from it and move forward.”

The Sunderland boss also praised Brentford’s performance, describing them as strong, direct and relentless in a difficult away environment. He noted that Sunderland showed improved energy at the start of the second half but admitted the missed penalty proved a decisive moment, lifting the home crowd and draining belief from his side.

Looking ahead, Sunderland are expected to welcome back several key players from AFCON duty in the coming weeks, offering an opportunity to regroup. Le Fée’s response suggests a player already focused on the challenge ahead rather than dwelling on the setback.

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