Sunderland striker Aaron Connolly opened his account for the Black Cats in their 1-1 draw against Millwall.
Connolly partnered Wilson Isidor in the starting lineup, as head coach Regis Le Bris had to deploy a reshuffled Sunderland XI for the clash.
For free-agent signing Aaron Connolly, his second Championship start of the season turned out to be a memorable one, as he netted his first goal for Sunderland just 10 minutes into their clash against Millwall.
The 24-year-old striker showcased his skill with a precise volley inside the box, setting up what could have been a historic win for the Black Cats at The Den.
Regis Le Bris was on the verge of becoming the first Sunderland manager since Peter Reid to secure victory at Millwall’s home ground. However, a heartbreaking injury-time equalizer from the Lions meant the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Despite the late setback, Sunderland remain at the top of the Championship table, with Sheffield United in second place also held to a draw against Coventry City.
Aaron Connolly has expressed his determination to “keep scoring” for Sunderland after breaking his duck with a well-taken volley in the 1-1 draw against Millwall. Speaking post-match, the 24-year-old shared his relief at getting off the mark in red and white, emphasizing his focus on building momentum.
Connolly’s goal comes as a timely response following criticism from Sunderland fans after his performance in the draw against Coventry City before the international break. The striker faced backlash for a lackluster display but seems eager to turn the tide and prove his worth to the supporters.”
Scoring that first goal is always a relief,” Connolly admitted. “Now it’s about staying consistent and making sure I keep helping the team stay at the top of the table.”
With Sunderland maintaining their position at the summit of the Championship, Connolly’s confidence and growing contributions could prove vital as the Black Cats push for promotion.
Aaron Connolly’s passionate celebration after his goal against Millwall spoke volumes about his commitment to Sunderland. Now, the striker has his sights set on making a bigger impact for the club.
Speaking to Total Sport after the match, Connolly shared his determination to build on his first goal for the Black Cats:
“It was just relief [scoring],” Connolly admitted. “Because I’ve just wanted to get that one, then hopefully I can get five, 10, 15, and just keep scoring.”
The 24-year-old forward’s ambitions align with Sunderland’s push to solidify their spot at the top of the Championship table. With confidence flowing after breaking his duck, Connolly could become a key figure in their promotion bid.
Aaron Connolly’s most prolific season in senior football came during his time at Hull City last season, where he scored eight goals in 28 Championship appearances.
To match this career-best tally, Connolly will need to score seven more goals for Sunderland this season, following his first strike against Millwall.
However, with stiff competition for starting spots from Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda, Connolly faces a challenge to consistently secure minutes and add to his goal tally.
But now that Connolly is off the mark, manager Regis Le Bris will be hoping this goal boosts his confidence and sparks a scoring run of form. With Sunderland pushing to maintain their position at the top of the Championship table, a fully firing Connolly could be a key asset in their promotion campaign.