‘Not enough’ – Eliezer Mayenda sends clear message to Sunderland fans and delivers Leeds United atmosphere verdict

Eliezer Mayenda admitted Sunderland were aiming for all three points at Bournemouth but quickly shifted his focus to the upcoming clash with Leeds United, stressing the mentality needed for the challenge ahead.

The Spanish forward netted his first goal since the opening day of the season as Sunderland secured a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium, ending a run of three consecutive defeats. While pleased to be back on the scoresheet, Mayenda made it clear the squad were not fully satisfied with just a point.

“It’s a good point away from home in a tough stadium,” he said. “But it’s not enough because we wanted the three points. We have to move forward now and focus on Tuesday. Still, it’s a positive result in a difficult place.”

Mayenda reacted sharply to score from close range after playing a part in the build-up, marking a welcome return to the starting lineup. The goal was a personal boost for the striker.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling — it’s natural,” he explained. “I’m just very happy to score and to be back in the starting eleven. I think we performed well as a team, and I’m delighted with the goal.”

Celebrating in front of the travelling Sunderland supporters made the moment even more special.

“It’s always better to score in front of the fans,” he said. “They support me in every game. When you score in front of them, you enjoy it more. I’m very happy.”

The match itself was competitive, with Bournemouth creating their own opportunities. Mayenda credited Sunderland’s determination and unity for earning a point on the south coast.

“We worked hard and fought for every duel and every ball,” he said. “The second half was difficult, but we expected that. We showed strong collective spirit and team mentality. It’s not enough because we want three points every game, but it was a solid performance.”

Attention now turns to Tuesday’s trip to Leeds United — another challenging away fixture with an intense atmosphere expected.

“We’ll prepare over the next couple of days,” Mayenda added. “It will be a different kind of game, but we know what to expect at Leeds. We go there to try and win. One point isn’t enough for us — we always play for three. We’ll aim to show the same mentality, and if we can do more, we will.”