Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar: one penalty from 20 attempts
AI-written review based on match data · How we make it
Key numbers
- 20 shots, well above the 12.4 season average
- xG 2.9 v 1.49, yet only one goal
- 66': +1.2 FN xPts, level to lead
A goalless first half, then one spot-kick
Sunderland began their league-phase campaign with a home win over AZ Alkmaar. Nothing separated the sides at half-time, and the only goal arrived in the 66th minute, when Enzo Le Fée converted from the spot. Sunderland then protected the lead for roughly 24 minutes, including stoppage time.
Sunderland were far busier than usual
This was a markedly more aggressive display than Sunderland's norm. Their 20 shots were well above the 12.4 average across their five matches this season, and the corner count rose accordingly, even though they had less of the ball than usual. It was a side that attacked more often with less possession.
More shots, but not better ones
Volume did not mean better chances. Both sides averaged 0.14 xG per shot, so Sunderland's edge came from quantity rather than quality, and their 2.9 xG produced only a single goal. AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser made four saves to keep the margin at one.
Le Fée's goal moved the needle most
Le Fée's goal was worth +1.2 FN xPts, turning a level match into a lead, and it cost AZ Alkmaar −0.8 FN xPts. The same player won 12 of 18 duels, so the goal came from someone involved throughout. Sunderland conceded nothing more before full-time.
Player of the match
Enzo Le Fée 8.6Dominant
He scored the penalty, created four chances and completed all four of his dribbles.
Le Fée earned most of his FN Score in attack, yet he also contributed defensively, winning 12 of 18 duels and drawing five fouls. That constant involvement kept Sunderland pushing forward through a goalless first hour, and his 66th-minute penalty gave them a lead they held until the end.
Game state
1-0
Sunderland ahead 24 min · level 66 min · AZ Alkmaar ahead 0 min
FN xPts — what each moment was worth
How much each moment changed that team's expected points (win 3, draw 1). A goal's value is credited 70% to the scorer and 30% to the assist.
66'
Enzo Le Fée
Pen goal
+1.2
Sunderland
Expected (last two seasons) 1.9Own moments +1.2Opponent moments 0.0Time effect −0.1→ League points won 3
AZ Alkmaar
Expected (no record yet, starting estimate) 0.8Own moments 0.0Opponent moments −0.8Time effect 0.0→ League points won 0
Expected points don't add up to a fixed total (a draw is 1 + 1), so an opponent's moment isn't simply the mirror of your loss. "Time effect" is the change as the clock runs down on a lead or a chase, and isn't credited to any player.
How FN Score and FN xPts work →
Match stats
SunderlandAZ Alkmaar
2.9Expected goals (xG)1.49
Compared with usual
Sunderland
5 matches this season, all competitions baseline
| This match | Avg | |
|---|
| Goals | 1 | 0.8 | |
| Conceded | 0 | 1 | |
| xG | 2.9 | 1.5 | |
| xG against | 1.49 | 1.5 | |
| Shots | 20 | 12.4 | |
| On target | 5 | 3.8 | |
| Shots faced | 11 | 10.2 | |
| xG per shot | 0.14 | 0.13 | |
| Possession | 45% | 50.4% | |
| Passes | 382 | 406.6 | |
| Pass accuracy | 78% | 81% | |
| Corners | 12 | 4.4 | |
| Fouls | 14 | 11.8 | |
Timeline
- 22'
Yellow
Trai Hume
- 30'
Yellow
Omar Alderete
- 38'
Yellow
A. Oufkir
- 46'
Sub
A. Oufkir → Weslley Patati
- 52'
Sub
Omar Alderete → Daniel Ballard
- 59'
Sub
Kees Smit → Valdemar Andreasen
- 64'
Yellow
Weslley Patati
- 66'
Goal
Enzo Le Fée (pen) competition goal #1
- 67'
Sub
Trai Hume → Thomas Meunier
- 67'
Sub
Malick Fofana → Brian Brobbey
- 67'
Sub
Wilson Isidor → Nilson Angulo
- 72'
Yellow
Nordi Mukiele
- 76'
Sub
Jordy Clasie → Dave Kwakman
- 83'
Sub
Lewis Schouten → Calvin Stengs
- 83'
Sub
Mexx Meerdink → J. Hornkamp
- 84'
Sub
Kevin Danso → Chris Rigg
Category leaders
- Key passesNordi Mukiele4
- Duels wonEnzo Le Fée12/18
- DribblesEnzo Le Fée4/4
- Defensive actionsNordi Mukiele6
- ShotsNordi Mukiele4 (on target 0)
- Fouls wonEnzo Le Fée5
#Sunderland#AZ Alkmaar#Europa League#Enzo Le Fée#Nordi Mukiele#Jari De Busser
This review was written by AI from match data (API-Football). FN Score and FN xPts are calculated by Fulltime Note using a published formula.