Mukiele calls for harder training after Sunderland's fourth straight league defeat

Nordi Mukiele has called on Sunderland to improve their work in training after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, suggesting complacency might be contributing to their difficult start. Speaking to Sky Sports, as reported by BBC Sport, he urged a return to last season's standards.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txKJN1rck1I

Mukiele raised arrogance as a possible explanation rather than a settled conclusion, while insisting he believed Sunderland could recover. He said insufficient work in training was being reflected in matches. The BBC reported that Sunderland have four points from seven league games, compared with 11 at the same stage last season, when they went on to qualify for the Europa League.

Head coach Regis Le Bris also criticised the display. Speaking to Sky Sports, he described the performance as below the required level and unacceptable for Sunderland. The defeat was their fourth in succession in the Premier League and left them 19th. Le Bris pointed to the difficulty of conceding early and then having to spend most of the match with only 10 players.

Sky Sports' match report detailed two early setbacks at Vitality Stadium. Marcus Tavernier headed Bournemouth ahead in the sixth minute after Evanilson supplied the cross. Kevin Danso was then dismissed in the 17th minute for bringing down the Brazilian as he advanced towards goal. Sunderland reached half-time only one goal behind, but another defensive mistake soon made their task harder.

Evanilson intercepted Omar Alderete's weak backpass shortly after the restart, went around goalkeeper Robin Roefs and scored Bournemouth's second. Roefs subsequently prevented further goals as the hosts secured their first league win of the campaign. Bournemouth moved up to 15th, while Sunderland's early concession and dismissal were followed by a second-half goal they could not answer.

The BBC's figures underline Sunderland's domestic problems: they have conceded 14 league goals and scored six. Their European results have been different, with victories over AZ Alkmaar and Torreense. Mukiele's response nevertheless focused on daily standards rather than the fixture list, calling for the players to put in the work needed to rediscover last season's level.