Sunderland

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

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Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is a tough place. Well done to Brentford because they were good. We didn't start well. We had the opportunity to be back in the game but we missed it.

"It was like going 2-0 because the energy of the stadium went high and it was the beginning of the end for us. It was the main switch of the game and after that they were better than us.

"We have to lose as a team. We were not at the level. We won't search for excuses we have to manage the conditions we have."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Sunderland failed to convert their first penalty in the Premier League since Sebastian Larsson against Wolves in December 2011, with the Black Cats scoring their previous 25 spot-kicks in the competition.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's performances this season - and the heights they have reached - would have shocked even the most optimistic Black Cats' fan.

Depleted by injury and the loss of players to the Africa Cup of Nations, they have battled brilliantly during the hectic festive period but the game at Brentford proved one too many.

They were slow out of the blocks in west London, with a number of sloppy passes from the back causing problems.

The first goal came after the ball was lost cheaply in midfield before one pass took out the entire backline.

It stayed at 1-0 until half-time and Regis le Bris' side came out fighting to start the second half, putting pressure on the hosts for the first time and winning a spot-kick when Brian Brobbey rolled Kristoffer Ajer and was brought down.

Enzo le Fee, who has performed so well for Sunderland this season, stepped up and attempted a Panenka.

Such cheeky efforts look great when they go in. Not so much when they don't. This was surely the simplest of Caoimhin Kelleher's four penalty saves in the top flight.

The Republic of Ireland international now has a 67% penalty save rate, the best of any goalkeeper to face five or more penalties in the Premier League.

It was a boost for Brentford that deflated Sunderland. If that had not already finished them off, the second and third goals soon afterwards did.

But with players beginning to return from Afcon, Sunderland will hope to get back on track before too long.

Listen to post-match reaction from BBC Radio Newcastle here

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

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Keith Andrews makes two changes to the Brentford side that started their 4-2 victory at Everton on Sunday.

Left-back Rico Henry and winger Keane Lewis-Potter come in with Aaron Hickey and Mikkel Damsgaard dropping to the bench.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Jensen, Lewis-Potter, Schade, Igor Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Donovan.

There are also two changes to the Sunderland team from their draw at Tottenham as Dan Ballard returns to the starting XI after injury.

Regis Le Bris also brings Chris Rigg into the line-up with Dennis Cirkin and Eliezer Mayenda among the substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Geertruida, Hume, Xhaka, Le Fee, Adingra, Rigg, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Mayenda, O'Nien, Mundle, Hjelde, Jones, Tutierov.

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

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Brentford's thumping 4-2 win at Everton meant they reached 30 points after 20 games, making it their joint-best start to a Premier League season.

If the Bees avoid defeat against Sunderland it will also equal their Premier League club record of six matches without defeat, achieved on three previous occasions.

It is a run that has propelled them to within four points of the top four and has put the pre-season relegation candidates firmly in the mix for Europe, given what a topsy-turvy top-flight campaign it has been so far.

They had lost seven of their nine away games this season going into their game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but thrashed the Toffees thanks to a finishing masterclass from hat-trick hero Igor Thiago.

It took his tally to 14 league goals, a figure only be surpassed in Europe's big-five leagues by Erling Haaland (19), Harry Kane (19) and Kylian Mbappe (18).

With 18 league fixtures still to go, he will be favoured to score the two goals that would see him break the record for the most by a Brazilian in a Premier League season of 15, currently held by Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha.

It has been a remarkable season so far for a player who managed just 168 league minutes in a debut campaign that was wrecked by injuries.

Keith Andrews is rightly thrilled with his displays but he would probably like the goals to be shared out around his side more equally. Thiago is responsible for 43.8% of their total, a top-flight high.

Sunderland looking to turn draws into wins

Like Brentford, Sunderland come into this game on 30 points and on a five-match unbeaten run. The Black Cats may have only won two of their past 11, but they have also only lost two, in a stretch that has cemented their reputation as draw specialists.

A point at Tottenham made it a league-leading nine for the season and was their fourth match in a row to end all square. A fifth would make them the first Premier League side to do so for five years.

While Regis le Bris is rightly thrilled with his team's displays, especially with their current absentees at the Africa Cup of Nations, he will be striving for his side to score more away from home. Brian Brobbey's excellent strike at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was only their fifth goal in 10 league games on the road this season.

However, it will be a tough ask against a Brentford side that boast the fourth-best home record in the top flight this campaign, having lost just one of 10. They have also won 34 points from a possible 39 at home against promoted clubs in the Premier League.

If anyone had suggested before a ball was kicked at the start of the season that come January, and after 20 games, this match would be seventh versus eighth, they would have been laughed at.

Many people were expecting Brentford to struggle when Thomas Frank left for Tottenham in the summer, but Keith Andrews keeps proving them wrong.

Fair play to Bees striker Igor Thiago for his first Premier League hat-trick [against Everton on Sunday] because not many of us have managed one of those.

I remember going to Goodison Park with Norwich back in 1993-94 and winning 5-1 so Brentford did not quite hit those heights at Hill Dickinson Stadium, but their 4-2 victory was still an impressive one.

Their home record is strong too, but Sunderland just have this steel about them and only Arsenal and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals in this campaign.

Black Cats boss Regis le Bris is a clever and cagey manager, but they have such a nice balance to their team and even losing a few players to the Africa Cup of Nations has not affected them.

They have got real resilience, and I am backing them to get another draw here, which would be their fifth in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Brentford (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Wilson [Isidor] we will see this morning, he will have a test on the pitch. Dan Ballard was fine. At the minute, everyone else is fine."

• Le Bris talked about how his team is dealing with an intense spell of Premier League fixtures: "It's an interesting period. They showed great consistency, even across this long spell. It's really hard. I think players, even if they are tired, they like playing football. They are good players and want to show ambition, even across a tough period. They are tired but they want to play."

• He added: "It's a good run, we have showed great consistency and a good level of play across different scenarios. We want to turn this consistency into more wins."

• On facing Brentford: "The attitude is the same as usual. We need to get ready to manage their threat. They are strong with Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade and many offensive players, but they can concede goals so it's a balance. We just want to play the game, both teams will take risks, we want to take risks, so it will be an open game."

• On whether the club's current position has changed ambitions about the quality of players Sunderland might look to sign: "Even with several players absent, the level of the squad remains consistent. If we can improve and reinforce the squad we will try."

• Le Bris was asked what the rest of the season held in store for his team: "We don't know exactly what we can become because the players, with their standards, they want to get better every day. When we have a bad session they are frustrated, which is only positive. The evolution of the squad is up to us as a coaching staff and also the players to show new things."

Follow all of Tuesday's football news and Premier League media conferences

Listen to Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland winger Kieron Brady says fans "should take a lot of encouragement" from the club are being linked with Barcelona's Fermin Lopez.

Spanish media, external have reported Barcelona are considering Sunderland's £70m offer for winger Lopez, which would comfortably break the club-record transfer fee of £30m.

"If someone is playing even semi-regularly for Barcelona then are they willing to leave that and come to the Premier League and Sunderland?" Brady asked on BBC Radio Newcastle.

"If he signs for £70m then it would be justified in thinking he will want a wage that eclipses one any other Sunderland player is on at present.

"But even if he doesn't end up coming, there should be a lot of encouragement for Sunderland fans that it is the way the club is progressing.

"If they are thinking of players of that calibre and standing, then you would like to think it is reflected in the other avenues they are pursuing in terms of signings.

"Whether it comes into fruition, who knows? But is a big name for this moment."

Listen to Brady's full thoughts on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

"You'll finish bottom with record-low points!"

"You'll struggle once the honeymoon period is over!"

"You'll barely pick up a point in December!"

"When Afcon starts, you're knackered!"

No matter what anyone told us would happen negatively to Sunderland since the season started, we just keep on ignoring it and cracking on.

We have been missing eight players in recent weeks and our squad has been seriously stretched, leaving us to rely upon previously unfancied players to help bulk out the squad and get through games.

Yet since Afcon started, Sunderland are unbeaten and have picked up some great results against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds and Brighton.

The determination and togetherness in the squad has helped us to pick up points, and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Afcon will soon be over, we will have players returning to Wearside, and there is also the small matter of the transfer window where Sunderland are expected to be ambitious.

Wednesday's game will be tough with Brentford in fine form and us asking a lot of this smaller pool of players to keep putting in huge performances, particularly away from home. But we'll go there wanting to win the game, having shown in the second half against Spurs on Sunday that we are a tough team to beat and that we never stop fighting until the end.

We have got a great defence backed up by an immense goalkeeper – Robin Roefs is truly top class as are Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, and Daniel Ballard – which has given the rest of the side a platform to build from.

Granit Xhaka leads by example and dragged us back into the Tottenham game, while Brian Brobbey is starting to show why we were right to shell out on bringing him to the club.

His goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a magnificent team goal, his one-two with the ever-excellent Enzo le Fee before smashing a left-footed shot beyond Vicario was probably the best we've scored so far this season. It also showed we're not just a team that can defend, but can also carve open tough defences.

As you can probably tell, I am one happy fan – and I will be even happier if we get more points at Brentford.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League match between Tottenham and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Tottenham fans

Michael: A better performance by Spurs first half, but they became nervous and lost their shape and discipline again when Sunderland had a go second half. That must be so frustrating for any coach. It's the attitude and self discipline that they lack - I don't think a coach can do much about that except get players with a better discipline.

Pete: Disappointing once again. I expected Thomas Frank to make the team structure more robust and hard to beat, but going forward there is no imagination or skill. We can't keep relying on defenders to score our goals. Spurs have become insipid, bland and, dare I say, boring.

Norman: Oh dear, another agony watch. Decent first half but, once again, we could not find the final ball. What has happened to our finishing? Surely Frank is near the end of his reign. Bring back Pochettino and exciting football.

Sunderland fans

Jack: I'd have taken a draw again before kick-off but was disappointed when we went behind to a soft goal. I always have a feeling that Regis le Bris can turn things around and he did as Sunderland lived up to their slogan of Til the End! Great result away from home.

Ken: A great fightback. A good point for Sunderland considering the players looked tired after the Manchester City game. Could have been a lot worse after horrendous defending for the Spurs goal.

Bob: Poor first half. Too many players off the pace. Second half much better and in reality could've won it. Happy with the draw and 30 points reached.

Barcelona are considering a £70m offer from Sunderland for 22-year-old Spain winger Fermin Lopez. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Sunderland are prepared to let Luke O'Nien depart this month with Birmingham City, Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion interested in the defender. (Chronicle), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Shay Given and Gary O'Neil join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 2-2 Liverpool

• Tottenham 1-1 Sunderland

• Everton 2-4 Brentford

• Newcastle 2-0 Crystal Palace

• Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland were well below the standard that has made them such a striking addition to the Premier League as they produced a lacklustre first 45 minutes.

The Black Cats, however, showed enough to stay in contention, with captain and former Arsenal man Granit Xhaka once again an influential figure at the heart of midfield.

Sunderland steadily grew into the contest, showing determination and resilience despite seeing their resources trimmed by losing six players to the Africa Cup Of Nations.

As their threat grew, Simon Adingra curled an effort just wide and Enzo Le Fee hit the woodwork, before Brian Brobbey escaped the Spurs defence with a burst of acceleration and came up with an explosive finish.

It was enough to earn Sunderland another point to consolidate their upper mid-table position in the Premier League.

Listen to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett's reaction

Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunderland's draw against Tottenham: "The first half we were a bit flat, without energy. That could be understandable after the Manchester City game, which was really tough and demanding.

"We were probably a bit lucky as we conceded only one goal in the first half. We showed good character to survive and then switch on in the second half and we deserved this result.

"At the end the players believed it was possible and that was the most important, you can think about quality and tactics but it is about belief as well.

"At the moment we go game-by-game and we have reached 30 points and that is good for us and gives us confidence.

"We go again in three days."

Listen to Le Bris and Brian Brobbey on BBC Sounds

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

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There's two changes for Tottenham as Ben Davies makes his first start of the season, while Mathys Tel comes in for Joao Palhinha.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Richarlison, Tel, Gray, Romero (c), Kudus, Pedro Porro, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies, van de Ven.

Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Danso, Spence, Bergvall, Palhinha, Williams-Barnett, Kolo Muani, Scarlett.

Sunderland are unchanged.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Cirkin, Xhaka, Geertruida, Le Fée, Adingra, Mayenda, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, O'Neil, Ballard, Hjelde, Neil, H.Jones, Tutierov, Mundle, Rigg.

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

• Leeds v Manchester United (12:30)

• Everton v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Tottenham v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester City v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the first five games here

And go here for Man City v Chelsea

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Sunderland", for instance.

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

I'm not sure if Sunderland will have anything left in the tank after their efforts against Manchester City on Thursday.

It was another example of why they have done so well - they defended brilliantly, but they were dangerous when they got the ball and they could have beaten City too.

Mind you, Tottenham are so drab at the moment that it probably won't matter too much if the Black Cats are low on energy.

Sunderland are always so well-organised at the back, while I don't think Spurs, in an attacking sense, have really clicked this season.

Tottenham will be exhausted as well so I don't see many goals in this one - in fact, I don't see any at all.

A goalless draw is unlikely to cheer the Spurs supporters up much, either.

I know they love getting angry, but they are a fanbase who don't actually seem to know what they want - is it a manager who delivers attractive attacking football, or someone who can set up a team to keep a clean sheet every week?

Sutton's prediction: 0-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham and Sunderland are experiencing contrasting campaigns but the two clubs are only separated by three points in the Premier League table. BBC Sport examines some key talking points ahead of Sunday's game (15:00 GMT).

New year, same Spurs?

Tottenham's start to 2026 was an amalgamation of their 2025 under head coach Thomas Frank – a 0-0 draw at Brentford represented another point won on the road and another game where they created very few chances.

The result means Spurs have the best away record in the top flight at the halfway stage – with 18 points amassed from 10 games – but it was yet another match where they were toothless in attack for almost the entire 90 minutes.

The performance was greeted with what can best be described as gallows humour from the travelling Spurs contingent, who punctuated the lack of action with songs about fan favourites Dele Alli, Eric Dier and even former manager Martin Jol. They also chanted "Boring, boring Tottenham" and jeered current boss Frank as he approached them at the full-time whistle.

"It's not perfect… we want us to be free-flowing," said Frank in his pre-match press conference on Friday. "We need to do everything we can to put in an attacking, intense, front-footed performance against Sunderland."

Black Cats could change Tottenham's fortunes

Tottenham's home form in 2025 was their worst on record and 11 league defeats in front of their own fans is the most they have ever suffered in a single calendar year.

However, the Lilywhites have an enviable record when it comes to this fixture. They are unbeaten in their previous 14 top-flight meetings with Sunderland since a 3-1 loss at the Stadium of Light in April 2010 and have won 14 of their 16 Premier League home matches against the north-east club (D1, L1).

Another victory this weekend could spark Tottenham's season into life and would go some way to repairing the apparent rift between head coach and fans.

Home and away

Sunderland have lost just two of their past 12 Premier League games and head to north London following a spirited performance in the 0-0 home draw with title-chasing Manchester City.

The Black Cats remain one of only two sides still unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season and they have taken points from all of the league's top three sides at the Stadium of Light. They have also kept seven top-flight clean sheets this season – with four coming at home – which is one fewer than the combined final total of the three promoted teams last term.

The challenge now for head coach Regis Le Bris is to replicate his side's home form on the road.

The goalless draw at Brighton in their previous away outing extended the club's winless away run to four matches (D2, L2) and was the latest example of Sunderland's ineffective away attack.

They have now failed to score in six of their nine Premier League away games and have amassed just four goals from the other three matches, a total only equalled by bottom side Wolves.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris has players missing at Afcon and Dan Ballard is out injured. However, his players who have stepped up have done well: "I told you before the Afcon we don't have to set a limit because we have many good players. They have to learn and show their quality on the pitch. If you give them the structure, the confidence and great leaders they will play well."

• The boss commented on how Eliezer Mayenda has been one of those players: "He showed he can deliver in another position and he is totally different from the start of the season he played as a striker. He plays a hybrid role and I am confident in him. He is really young and learning. He is more versatile which is important as a manager."

• On the clean sheet against Manchester City: "It is really positive for the club, squad and lads because we are playing against the best in Europe and it shows we can be confident. It is good for the confidence and good for the individual projects. We need to reset quickly because this is relentless. It's important to show that it is a tough place to be. If you are not bold or aggressive it is impossible to protect your goal."

• Le Bris is hopeful for the Spurs game: "It will be a tough challenge - they are in a great place. It will be an exciting challenge for the squad. Like us they have highs and lows, but the main thing for us is how we identify. We can expect gifts from the opponent, so let's focus on this."

Listen to live commentary of the match on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with coverage starting at 14:30 GMT

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