Sunderland marked their first European sport in 53 years with a 1-0 win in opposition to AZ Alkmaar in a historic Europa League conflict on Wearside.
The Black Cats had not performed in Europe since a 2-0 defeat in Lisbon to Sporting within the Cup Winner’s Cup of 1973.
Micky Horswill was the final Sunderland participant to attain in Europe earlier than Enzo le Charge’s penalty served up a deserved and gutsy win for the facet which completed seventh within the Premier League final season.
The important thing second got here when teh vigorous Le Charge was hauled down following a devastating counter-attack, and picked himself up and coolly slotted his spot-kick into the underside nook.
Backed by a deafening house crowd, Regis Le Bris’ facet dominated the opening 45 minutes with wasteful ending prevented a extra commanding lead.
Le Charge hit the woodwork with a rasping drive earlier than the interval earlier than Sunderland have been compelled to climate substantial stress and seemed to be clinging on into the closing phases earlier than AZ’s depth lastly waned.
The Black Cats missed late alternatives to make the scoreline emphatic.
Elsewhere there have been wins for Benfica, Lyon and Bayer Leverkusen, with the competitors persevering with on Thursday night time.
Wednesday’s Europa League outcomes
Ararat 1-4 Sparta Prague
Omonia Nicosia 1-0 Celta Vigo
AC Milan 0-2 Benfica
Anderlecht 1-2 Lyon
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Celje
Hapoel Be’er Sheva 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Olympiakos 2-1 Jagiellonia Bialystok
Sturm Graz 0-0 Rennes
Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar
