Sunderland

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I was listening to BBC Radio Newcastle's post-match show following Sunderland's victory over Crystal Palace, and something that a caller to the show said really struck me.

The lady talked about how when Sunderland fell behind in the first half, she had absolutely no fear. She knew that we'd get back into the game - there wasn't any questions around the fact it would happen.

To be able to say that about Sunderland is still baffling to me. For my whole life, we have found ways to lose games when it looked impossible to do so. When we've gone behind, especially at home, we've capitulated. But not any more.

We responded almost immediately to that goal from Yeremy Pino - a brilliant team goal finished off by Enzo le Fee. There was no panic. Sunderland's players simply got on with it and were even more dogged and determined to put it right.

In fact, it seems like going behind galvanises us. We've picked up 16 points this season from losing positions, which is a staggering statistic.

From then, it was clear there would only be one eventual winner - and we found it thanks to another determined and battling move that was finished off by Brian Brobbey, who was imperious throughout.

His exquisite shot in off the underside of the bar capped off a performance that, to many Sunderland supporters, was the finest we've seen from a centre-forward in over a decade.

Another three points in the bag, then, on our quest to hit 40 as quickly as possible. We aren't under any threat of relegation, of course, but to say that in January is a wonderful thing.

Now it's about keeping that momentum up, winning more games and seeing where it takes us. Our unbeaten home record remains and it's tough to see when that will eventually come to an end. We don't know when we're beaten.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Manchester United are keeping tabs on 21-year-old Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki and could offer Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 24, in a swap deal for the DR Congo international. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Chris Collinson
BBC football data analyst

Sunderland's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace was the eighth time the Black Cats have come from behind to get something from a Premier League game this season.

And most importantly, the sixth time at their fortress Stadium of Light.

Only Aston Villa (18) have won more points from losing positions in the Premier League this season than Sunderland (16) and with 33 points from 22 games, Sunderland are the best promoted side in 16 years.

Alex McLeish's Birmingham were the last promoted team to have 33 points at this stage of the season in 2009-10.

Sunderland's home form has been key to their success this season and no other promoted side has gone unbeaten at home for longer at the start of a Premier League season than Regis le Bris' men.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Simon: Made to work for a win against a supposedly demoralised Palace. The lads stepped up again and got the backing we're famous for. No easy games, but such resilience makes a huge difference. I hope we give it a real good go in the cup, we have showed we can give anyone a game on our day!

Dave: Things are going so well at Sunderland I don't even care whether we spend in the January window. Happy to keep what we have and build again in the summer. Unheard of for a promoted team.

Jack: Great team performance - although we don't score a lot of goals it's refreshing to know that we have the ability to hit back if we go behind! To have 33 points at just over the halfway mark was unthinkable before the season started. Well done, Sunderland.

Mike: Superb - just superb. Not always the best team in the game, but we never gave up and both goals were world-class finishes. Llooking forward to many more great performances and keeping the heart of Sunderland beating.

Craig: Being a Sunderland fan right now is just bizarre. This team (and the manager) are absolutely immense. We actually might get into Europe. Europe! Pinch me.

Adam Cottier
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland are shrewd. Shrewd with their transfer business; shrewd with their tactical approach - and also calm and measured. Such qualities they exuded in their victory at home to Crystal Palace.

And they appear to have a pathway laid out for them to grow as a Premier League club and establish themselves in a cutthroat world that was alien to them until Regis Le Bris came to the North East.

On a run of five games without a Premier League win, Sunderland fans could have been forgiven for feeling a little uncomfortable when Yeremy Pino put Crystal Palace ahead on Saturday.

But there was no evidence of panic in the stands - or on the pitch.

And the smart recruitment extends long before last summer. A case in point is Enzo Le Fee.

He's an all-action midfield player who has just marked a year at the club. His swift, composed equaliser set Sunderland on their way to a victory which would be sealed in style by the strength and instincts of Brian Brobbey - another player that appears to be moving through the gears in the Premier League.

Sunderland's home record since promotion is phenomenal.

Palace were weary and broken by the end, but Sunderland still showed many of the qualities that have made them so formidable at the Stadium of Light, an atmospheric and imposing arena in its rightful place as a top-flight venue again.

It is Sunderland's shape and rhythm that stands out, as well as the shear power and technical ability that runs through a group of players brought together to try and make Sunderland a force to be reckoned with.

Le Bris' vision of this group and how it should play is transparent and he should be applauded for making the team click so soon, with so many fresh faces coming in since he arrived.

And when Sunderland play like this, they really are a force.

So just how far can Le Bris take them?

Hear more reaction from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Hear post-match reaction from Gary Bennett and Nick Barnes

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 2-0 Brentford

• Tottenham 1-2 West Ham

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace: "I think we showed a great level of maturity. It was really important to stay composed because we felt the quality of Crystal Palace, they are a good side. We showed our intentions and I think our second half was very good."

On the form of Brian Brobbey: "He's getting better game after game. It's very important to have a strong striker and to build these performances progressively, and we can see now his team-mates are trusting him and feeding him. He has the ability to score which is so important for a striker.

"He's a fighter on the pitch, you can feel it. At the beginning of the game their centre-backs were strong and had the ability to manage his power, but progressively he gained the advantage.

"We have a specific identity here and a great connection with our fans. We have to use it. Even last season we felt this connection. We showed this energy on the pitch. Sometimes the football is not incredible, but the lads are always wanting to work and fight. At least when you show this quality you can feel this support.

"Let's work hard. It's not easy to win games in the Premier League, we know that. We will have to fight once again."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Not for the first time this season, Sunderland showed tremendous character to preserve their unbeaten record at the Stadium of Light and cement their healthy position in the top half of the table.

The Black Cats have now won more points from losing positions this term - 16 - than they have in any other Premier League season, and more than any other promoted club since West Brom in 2010-11.

Only high-flying Aston Villa have come from behind to pick up more points than Regis le Bris' side in 2025-26.

If they can avoid defeat at home to Burnley in February, Sunderland will have set a new 12-match unbeaten home record by a promoted Premier League club.

Brian Brobbey's deft second-half finish was a fitting end to another committed display in front of their own supporters - albeit against a Palace side who have endured one of the toughest weeks in their recent history.

Sunderland fans can surely start to look forward to another year of Premier League football next season, but with Le Bris' team now only three points off fourth-placed Liverpool in the standings, Black Cats supporters could have even more to celebrate come the end of the campaign.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Regis Le Bris makes four changes to the Sunderland team that started their FA Cup third-round tie at Everton.

Reinildo makes his first start for the club since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, with Omar Alderete, Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey also coming in.

Dennis Cirkin, Luke O'Nien, Simon Adingra and Eliezer Mayenda drop to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Le Fee, Xhaka, Sadiki, Mundle, Brobbey

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Geertruida, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Isidor, Adingra

Oliver Glasner makes two changes to the Crystal Palace team that drew with Aston Villa in their last Premier League game.

Jefferson Lerma returns after suffering a head injury against Newcastle two weeks ago, while Chris Richards is also restored to the side.

Jaydee Canvot is named on the bench, with Marc Guehi unavailable as he finalises a move to Manchester City.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Lerma, Lacroix, Richards, Devenny, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Johnson, Pino, Mateta

Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Canvot, Sosa, Imray, Riad, Drakes-Thomas

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Man Utd v Man City (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Fulham

• Liverpool v Burnley

• Sunderland v Crystal Palace

• Tottenham v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Crystal Palace have not won any of their past nine games in all competitions and their FA Cup defeat at Macclesfield was a huge embarrassment.

Eagles boss Oliver Glasner made changes for that tie which did not work and the squad depth is clearly not there to cope with this busy time of the season.

Looking at Sunderland's results, they were not exactly in great form either before they beat Everton in a penalty shootout to reach round four.

The Black Cats are without a win in five league games but the difference with Palace is that they drew four of them and, importantly, they also played well in most of those matches too.

Regis le Bris' side have been so strong at home that, along with Palace's poor form, I really have to back them here.

As their fans keep on pointing out, I've not done too well at predicting Sunderland scores this season, but I will get one of their results right soon... surely!

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

After being on the wrong end of the biggest FA Cup shock in history last weekend, followed by news on Friday that their manager and captain are both set to exit the club, Crystal Palace's next assignment is Sunderland - with their formidable home record - in the Premier League.

The Eagles were well below their best at the Moss Rose as they succumbed to sixth-tier opponents Macclesfield in embarrassing style, and a trip to the Stadium of Light is a tough follow-up.

Sunderland closing on home record

Sunderland have not lost in front their own fans since their return to the top flight and beat Everton in a penalty shootout in the FA Cup last weekend.

With survival already surely secured, Sunderland can shift their focus towards grander ambitions this term. If they are to finish in the top half - perhaps even seize a European place - then their home form will be key.

Head coach Regis le Bris has steered his team to 10 games without defeat on home soil in the Premier League this season. They can equal Ipswich Town's record run for a promoted side if they can extend that streak on Saturday.

Sunderland have not won in their past five Premier League games but a drop-off was to be expected. The Black Cats had six players at the Africa Cup of Nations, more than any other team in the league. They go into the weekend in 10th spot, albeit within three points of Brentford in fifth.

Troubles piling up at Palace

It has been a rough few weeks for Palace and the issues appear to be piling up.

Palace are without a win in nine games and the squad appears to be creaking under the weight of their European commitments. The Eagles have more injuries than any team in the top flight, with up to 10 players out; they have also made just 22 changes to their starting XI this season, nine fewer than any other team.

Cracks are appearing at both ends of the pitch too. They have been remarkably vulnerable from set-pieces, with nine of their past 11 goals conceded in all competitions coming from dead-ball situations.

Up top, manager Oliver Glasner will hope to see some key men rediscover their scoring touch with Ismaila Sarr still at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Yeremy Pino found the net at Macclesfield with a superb free-kick and all four of his goals for the club have come away from Selhurst Park.

Jean-Philippe Mateta will be back in the squad after he was rested for Macclesfield. The Frenchman has eight goals this season but just one in his past 10 games.

Mateta has also been profligate with his opportunities, with Bournemouth's David Brooks the only player to underperform their Premier League xG more.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland midfielder Lee Clark believes Dan Neil may need to seek playing opportunities elsewhere for the sake of his career.

The boyhood Sunderland fan helped his side win promotion last season but has made three cameo appearances in the Premier League so far this term and is out of contract in the summer.

"It's a tough call but, for someone like Dan now, it's important in his career," Clark told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"He's helped his local club get to the Premier League, they've shown their hand now that they're not sure about him in terms of that level. He has to go somewhere where he's going to get games."

Kilmarnock was one of the clubs Clark took charge of during his managerial career and he believes the top flight in Scotland is one of several positive potential avenues for Neil.

"Some of the clubs being put out there are terrific opportunities," Clark said. "I've seen Cologne mentioned in the Bundesliga, I've seen Rangers mentioned.

"I would imagine there will be a plethora of Championship clubs - but he might want to experience something different, he might want to go to Rangers where there's going to be a title battle up in Scotland and hopefully the opportunity to play in Europe.

"Scottish football gets a little bit of a kicking sometimes but until you've been there and been in amongst it, you realise how big clubs like Celtic and Rangers are."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds and hear the team talk about Trai Hume's Northern Ireland Player of the Year award

Image source, Getty Images

Jocelin Ta Bi says he is "incredibly excited for what's ahead" after signing for Sunderland in a four-and-a-half-year deal.

The 20-year-old winger has joined from five-time Israeli champions Maccabi Netanya after a loan spell with Hapoel Petah Tikva.

"Playing in the Premier League has always been a dream of mine and I'm incredibly excited for what's ahead," Ta Bi said. "I know there's still plenty of work to do and pushing myself every day and improving is something I'm fully committed to.

"We have some special things ahead of us at Sunderland and I'm looking forward to taking this journey together."

Sporting director Krisjaan Speakman added: "He's a dynamic and explosive wide player who enjoys attacking duels, predominantly from the right side, he is a player with high potential and we will integrate him patiently into our club.

"We believe in the player and we believe in our approach to developing talent, so we are looking forward to starting the journey with him and I'm sure our supporters will also enjoy the attributes he brings to our team."

Image source, Getty Images

One of the many stars of Sunderland's sensational return to the Premier League has been goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

The 22-year-old Dutchman joined the Black Cats from NEC Nijmegen in the summer and although the fee was officially undisclosed, it was reported to be in the region of £9m.

Roefs enhanced his growing reputation even further with penalty saves in last weekend's FA Cup shootout win at Everton.

"He's been an incredible signing," said BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes.

"Roefs' market value must be nearer £40m now, with the season he's had. He's 22 and he's getting plaudits from everywhere.

"He's very focused and he's a real Regis le Bris signing in many respects because he's almost a shadow of Le Bris in his manner, his commitment, his ambition and his maturity.

"He's a fabulous goalkeeper and he's still learning."

Ex-Sunderland defender Danny Collins added: "He ticks all the boxes. He's calm, his attitude, the lads trust him with the ball at his feet and he can go long with his passing as well. Ultimately he's in there as a shot-stopper and he's fantastic at that as well.

"I'm sure there will be one or two clubs eyeing him up. There are one or two in the Premier League who are probably looking for a top keeper."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traore are injured and could be out for weeks.

• On whether injuries have forced them to act in the January transfer window: "I don't think it's connected. We expect probably a three-to-four week time frame so we won't rush the process because it's better to give the strong rehabilitation programme, and they will be back soon, so it's not already well connected, and we have other options because we worked without him [Bertrand Traore] for almost four weeks."

• Le Bris stated that the last few weeks were a "busy period without six or seven players", but reiterated that the players did "really well" and showed "good level of composure".

• On players returning from Afcon: "I think they are happy to be back, and the players here, we are happy to have them once again in the group. Only two are missing now, Chemsdine [Talbi] and Habib [Diarra], which is good for them in one point. So now it's a question of playing and carrying this momentum to get better."

• The Sunderland boss revealed that they have their "own targets" when it comes to survival in the Premier League, which is to "reach those 40 points". He added that if that is achieved, then they will "set another one straight away".

• On Dan Ballard winning North East Football Writers' Player of the Year: "Decent year for him and for the club. And he stepped up in the Premier League, so it's still a question mark before this step in a new league, probably the biggest in the world, so he showed that he was able to play at that level with great consistency, without injuries as well, because it's still a question as well, to be consistent. So happy for him, and I think it's fully deserved."

• On Crystal Palace: "When you have a bad period, you always want to react, so it shows once again how tough and demanding it is this league. So they struggle in the FA Cup, but they are not in a good run, they have a strong group, they are well coached, good experience, and they are struggling. So it shows that it's tough to play in this league, and a reaction can happen like a snap everywhere, so we don't expect anything from them. It's really clear to stay focused on our strength, the way we want to play with the energy, the humility, and the creative work."

Listen to Regis le Bris on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news