Hurzeler delighted with resilient Albion performance

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Head coach reflects on 1-0 win at Sunderland on Saturday.

Bruce Talbot

2026-03-14T17:45+00:00

A pensive Fabian Hurzeler at the Stadium of Light. Photo: James Boardman

Fabian Hurzeler was delighted with his side’s resilience and collective mindset after they claimed a third win in their last four matches with a 1-0 success at Sunderland.

Former Newcastle winger Yankuba Minteh stunned the Stadium of Light with his second goal of the season just before the hour mark to seal a win that lifted Albion into tenth place on 40 points.

“I definitely take it,” Hurzeler said. “We started the game really well. We created chances, we created a lot of danger, and we controlled the game. Second half, the first minutes we struggled. I think there was set piece after set piece, cross after cross. But overall, we defended it well.

“We showed really good togetherness, and we overcame the difficult phases by finding solutions together as a team, no matter if it was tactical or regarding mindset. We deserved to win this game in the end.”

Hurzeler praised Minteh’s ability to produce the unexpected.

“He has a quality not a lot of players have, and I'm really happy for him," the head coach added. “He was waiting for his chance, and he used it in a really positive way.

James Milner assesses his options. Photo: James Boardman

“We have to work with him to keep doing unpredictable things offensively but staying more reliable defensively - to keep doing the easy things right in our half. He understands now more and more what it needs to work for the team."

Hurzeler was also full of praise for another peerless midfield contribution by James Milner on the ground where he scored his first Premier League goal as a 16-year-old for Leeds United.

“When you've played so many games in your career, you have a good understanding of how to manage a game," Hurzeler added. “Especially playing as a six, he has a quite big impact on every play on the pitch. What was created today was all togetherness, and he was a big part of that.”