Alex Sanderson highlighted George Ford's performance after Sale secured a 28-10 victory over bottom-of-the-table Exeter. This success allows Sale to maintain its unbeaten record at home this season.
Center Luke James and fullback Joe Carpenter scored tries in the first half, followed by a penalty try and a Jonny Hill strike to give Sanderson's men a total of five points. Chiefs, meanwhile, suffer their eighth consecutive Premiership defeat this season.
It also marks Exeter's tenth consecutive defeat in major competitions, following their defeats to the Sharks and Toulouse in the European Cup. The visitors, coached by Rob Baxter, also lost England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to a shoulder injury in the first half. Despite difficult conditions, Sale was largely deserving in this victory in the rain.
Match Summary
Sanderson also reserved particular praise for fly-half Ford, saying: “George is truly a genius and in this difficult weather it's just about getting the ball into the opposition's half.
“It's about putting repeated pressure through the maul and the pick-and-go, because it was one of those days where you have to put in a big effort.
“George always chooses the smarter option – the low-risk, high-probability play, especially on a night like this.
“He was like a strategic rugby god. I thought he was fantastic.”
The hosts had already collected maximum points against Racing 92 last weekend and remain unbeaten in the North West in all competitions so far this season.
The match was played in pouring rain, and Sanderson joked: “It was great form of rugby!”
“I'm happy with the five points, although the players are a little frustrated that we didn't capitalize on some of the spaces we had in the first 20 or 30 minutes.
“But I told them to enjoy Christmas and get ready for Bristol (next Friday).
“The forwards enjoyed the physical challenge, but I wish we could play more in the style we showed against Racing 92 last week.”
Exeter boss Baxter has made several changes to his squad following the heavy 64-21 home defeat to Toulouse in the European Cup.
However, despite a substitute try from Jimmy Roots in the second half, his side were once again outplayed, and the injury that forced Feyi-Waboso out will be assessed.
Baxter said: “Initially it looked like his shoulder had dislocated, but it looked like it came back quickly.”
“He will undergo tests and assessment as soon as we return to Exeter.
“There’s nothing to worry about – he just fell awkwardly.
“We’re just in a cycle where we undo our hard physical work with a lack of discipline.”
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