Sunderland

Sunderland are an amazing team, and winning last week's derby against Newcastle United is just the latest high for them in what has been an a brilliant season.

The Black Cats are on 26 points after 16 games, and have already beaten Leicester City's total from 38 games last season - they were relegated with 25 points in 18th place.

That's an extraordinary achievement. I know they are losing a few players to Afcon, but that would only be a big problem if they were languishing near the bottom of the table.

Instead this just feels like an opportunity for the players coming in to try to maintain their momentum. Regis le Bris and his team will be full of confidence too, although this is a tricky trip for them to the south coast.

Brighton are a real Jekyll and Hyde side at the moment, but I always feel they will do well at home - they have only lost once there this season.

I watched the Seagulls at Anfield last week. They should have scored at 0-0, but didn't... and lost.

This time? My instinct still tells me to go with Brighton at Amex Stadium, but Sunderland are going to push them very close.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

On Saturday, Brighton and Sunderland will meet for the first time in the Premier League, having not faced each other in any competition since August 2011. Then, Albion won a League Cup second-round tie 1-0 after extra time in their inaugural season at Amex Stadium.

BBC Sport examines some of the talking points for the game between two sides occupying the top half of the table.

Brighton's December blues

Brighton were only two points off third place heading into December but that gap has grown to 10 following a three-match winless spell. It's Albion's worst run of the season, with their only point this month coming courtesy of a controversial stoppage-time equaliser at home to West Ham.

Head coach Fabian Hurzeler felt his side "deserved more" from their 2-0 defeat at Anfield last week but it means Brighton are yet to win a Premier League match in the month of December under him.

They also had a mid-season wobble this time last season, failing to win in six attempts in December as part of an eight-game sequence without a victory.

It all adds up to Brighton - and Hurzeler - enduring the longest ongoing winless run in December by a current Premier League side.

Their most recent December win came against Spurs in 2023 and it is a month that has historically brought Brighton little cheer.

After all, they have only won 20.8% of their Premier League matches in December compared to 31.3% overall.

Sunderland squad put to the test

Sunderland's emotionally-charged victory in last Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby put them within two points of fourth place. Their tally of 26 points is the most by a promoted side after 16 games since Hull City in 2008-09.

The belief and resilience instilled in the team by head coach Regis le Bris will now be needed more than ever. The festive period tests the strength in depth of even the most-stacked squads but Sunderland might have to negotiate their next seven matches, including an FA Cup trip to Everton, without up to half-a-dozen players who will be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon].

The Black Cats are losing twice as many players to the tournament as any other Premier League side. Four of those have been instrumental in Sunderland's success this season: Noah Sadiki and Chemsdine Talbi have played in all 16 of their top-flight matches, while Reinildo Mandava and Bertrand Traore have started 12 and nine respectively.

Club record signing Habib Diarra has been selected by Senegal but could first be involved against Brighton after a 12-match absence because of a groin injury.

Regardless, Le Bris admits Sunderland's lofty position means the absence of his African players will be less keenly felt.

"I'm not worried," he said. "We knew this period would come – it's not new or unexpected and, with 26 points, confidence is higher. I trust the players."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has already proved himself in big games, but says it is a "battle in my head" to control the nerves before these matches.

Despite the influx of new players in the summer in preparation for the Black Cats' return to the Premier League, centre-back Ballard has remained a constant presence in the side.

The 26-year-old is garnering a reputation for his performances in the biggest matches, having scored against the likes of Arsenal and stopped last-minute goals for the opposition.

Asked whether he sees himself as a big-game player, Ballard told BBC Sport: "I have a battle in my head. I get really nervous for the big games, but I think I play a lot better with the nerves.

"It's about controlling them but still allowing myself to be nervous because it fires me up. It focuses me on the game.

"In the highest pressure ones I've seemed to do quite well recently, so long may it continue."

In May, the Northern Ireland international scored one of the most important late goals in the club's history, when he netted a 123rd-minute winner in the Championship play-off semi-final at the Stadium of Light.

Reflecting on the moment, Ballard said: "It was just pure chaos in that stadium and I've watched it back so many times. We speak among the lads.

"It was such a high-pressure moment and to win it with literally the last kick of the game, I'm just seeing the boys' reaction after that, and the stadium. It was my greatest night in football and probably [for] everyone in that dressing room.

"I don't think anything will get close to that, but I'm more than happy with that."

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard says if he did not have his "fight" then he "wouldn't have anything" in football.

The 26-year-old began his career in the youth academy at Arsenal, but never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners.

He spent time on loan with Swindon Town, Millwall and Blackpool before making a permanent move to Sunderland in 2022.

"I didn't have the smoothest pathway growing up. I wasn't really the best player in my age groups, so I had to fight for every opportunity and every chance," Ballard told BBC Sport.

"It wasn't smooth sailing, but coming up at an academy like that [Arsenal's], there's so many good coaches and so many people to teach you things if you're willing to listen and learn.

"You can carve a career out there for yourself and I've managed to do that."

The Northern Ireland international has established himself as a key player in the Black Cats' backline and has now made 103 appearances for the club, helping them win promotion from the Championship last season.

"If I didn't have that [fight], I wouldn't - especially when I was younger - have anything really," Ballard said. "That was the main thing that allowed me to continue in the academies.

"I did just the basic stuff well. I listened and worked hard and the coaches respected that and give me opportunities off the back of that. Not necessarily because I was the best player on the pitch, but just because I was doing the right things.

"I think that is what has always given me the opportunities to keep going."

Read the full piece here

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka "lifted the standards" of the club when he arrived, says team-mate Dan Ballard.

The former Arsenal midfielder joined the Black Cats from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for £17m on a three-year deal.

Since then, the Switzerland stalwart has played in every Premier League game, scoring one goal and providing four assists to help Sunderland up to eighth place.

"He's an amazing guy. I was a bit surprised when we signed him - I wasn't sure what it would be like," Ballard told BBC Sport.

"But the impact he's had on the whole club really, I didn't think one person could affect the team the way he's done. From minute one, I think the standards really rose because he does everything to 100%.

"It's like, 'if he's got that amazing career and he's still doing everything perfectly, why wouldn't we?' I think it just lifted the standards."

Xhaka spent seven years with the Gunners, training with Ballard when the defender was in the north London club's academy, and has brought a wealth of experience to Regis le Bris' promoted side.

"Literally [in] everything he does - the gym work, the standards he puts out on the training pitch. We've just been outside, it can be cold and wet and but he's 100% focused and giving everything in training," Ballard added.

"So when some of us boys may be not putting that work in and you see him doing it, it's unacceptable for us [not to]. If he's doing it, he's won titles and played hundreds of games in the Premier League, then why shouldn't we?

"I think that has lifted everyone."

Read the full piece here

Image source, Getty Images

In the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, ex-manager Sam Allardyce for a wide-ranging chat about being a head coach in elite football.

The man affectionately known as Big Sam - who managed Newcastle, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Everton and Leeds among others - breaks down the principles that sustained his career, why he regrets not confronting criticism of his playing style sooner and why he's encouraged by the league's evolution this season.

He also reflects on working with Wayne - how he wishes he'd managed him earlier and why he never wanted to sub him off, alongside sharing why he was so disappointed not to be given longer with the Toffees.

Plus, Allardyce also reveals some classic dressing room stories - from warning a player he had 30 minutes to save himself after a champagne night out, to urging Palace chairman Steve Parish to speak his mind to the squad after a bad defeat.

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at The Amex Stadium (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reflecting on last weekend's derby win over Newcastle, Le Bris said: "That was really important. We kept consistency in the process. We were composed, showed great character, good intensity and maturity. We were ready to seize key moments and showed that we were mature. At the same time, there's still room to improve."

• He is keen to use the positive energy from the win moving forward: "We had one day to relax and when the players came back to the Academy of Light, they were ready to work again. That's important - after a big win like that it helps the mood of the squad. But we're ready to go again because we know the next opponent will be strong."

• On his emotions after the win: "We felt the energy of the stadium. It was really impressive. It was shared - you just have to enjoy it. It's a really short period."

• Le Bris said that Habib Diarra could be in the matchday squad before travelling to Afcon: "He might be with us for Brighton. It will be the end of his rehab process and, if everything is positive, he'll be able to leave with the national team."

• He added: "All the other players have already left for the Africa Cup of Nations."

• The Black Cats will lose six players to the tournament, but Le Bris stressed this gives opportunities to the rest of his squad: "The team will look a bit different. For players with less game time, they knew this period would come. They're ready, they train properly and they're well-connected with the squad. Now we'll manage the game and see. They've been patient and knew it was possible to play. I'm not worried. We knew this period would come - it's not new or unexpected and with 26 points, confidence is higher. I trust the players."

• On Sunderland having so many points before the tournament: "I didn't set any limit or specific objective because we were new in this league with 14 new signings. We're discovering things every day. If we set a limit beforehand, we might underestimate the squad."

• Tom Watson will face Sunderland after scoring the winning goal for them in last season's play-off final on his last appearance for the club: "Looking back at the situation, we managed it properly. It wasn't easy, but as a club, as a coaching staff and with the player, we managed it in a way that worked for both sides. The outcome was fantastic - with that late goal in the final at Wembley, we showed it was the right decision."

• On the threat posed by the Seagulls: "They're a good side - strong, with many individual and collective threats. Impressive in possession, strong pressing team, really intense with pace and power. It's an exciting challenge once again."

Listen to Regis Le Bris talk to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes ahead of the game

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle - Sunderland commentator

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Understandably Sunderland fans are purring following Sunday's win.

Newcastle fans are naturally wounded by the defeat but hold their hands up to the relative tameness of the display.

It seems to be generally accepted Newcastle were a shadow of the team they can be and failed to both rise to the occasion or show the fight and determination expected in the fixture.

Sunderland's players rose to the occasion following a spirited pre-match team talk from Luke O'Nien who understands the club and its fans and the importance of the game to them.

Despite having no local players in the starting 11 all of the team grasped its importance.

It was apparently Dan Ballard's suggestion to have a team photo taken on the pitch in front of the Roker End and that sums up the hurt he and Sunderland felt two years ago when Newcastle took a picture in front of the North Stand following their win in the FA Cup.

That result stung the club and their response was unequivocal. They milked the opportunity for revenge.

Doubtless Newcastle will find a rebuke for the 'Visitors' at St. James' Park in March but for the time being Sunderland are basking in the bragging rights and Newcastle fans know it would have been no different had they won on Wearside.

Find all your Sunderland audio here

Sunday's derby fixture - which saw Sunderland overcome fierce rivals Newcastle - has prompted debate aplenty.

One caller on BBC Radio Newcastle said: "Out of every Newcastle player on that pitch, not one of them would get into the Sunderland side, not based on ability but on attitude.

"As well as being a Sunderland supporter, I'm an England supporter.

"If they can't build themselves up for a game like this at club level, what are they going to do over there [at next summer's World Cup]?"

Ex-Magpies' defender John Anderson scrutinised some of the failures suggested and feels a lack of intensity proved pivotal in Newcastle's demise.

Sunderland latest on BBC Sounds

Newcastle latest on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Days like Sunday don't come along very often, but when they do, you are reminded of why you love your team and you love football.

Sunderland were absolutely outstanding against Newcastle in the first Premier League meeting in a decade, and while it wasn't a startling game of football, there can be no doubt that the lads in red and white were deserved winners and looked more than good enough value for the three points.

It was one of the most determined and spirited defensive displays I have seen from any Sunderland side, and every person watching could see this is a special team determined to fight every second for the supporters and the badge.

It feels poetic to me that in the past decade Sunderland have been relegated twice, spent four seasons in League One, have almost gone bust, had to completely rebuild ourselves - and still we are superior to our neighbours up the road who sold out to a Saudi-led consortium. And for what? Nobody likes them. No neutral watching that game wanted to see Newcastle United emerge victorious.

Instead, Sunderland have gone about their business in a fashion that has rightly earned us praise and acclaim. You watch players like Robin Roefs, Noah Sadiki, Omar Alderete, Dan Ballard, Reinildo Mandava, and Granit Xhaka and you can't help but love them. Every fan of every team wants players who 'get it', and Sunderland's players certainly do. It is just such an amazing time to support this unbelievable football club.

Sunday was my favourite derby victory. There is no sweeter feeling, after taking stick for the last goodness knows how long from fans of "the Visitors", than to be able to sit here knowing we are better than they are, that we beat them and that we are above them in the table. I am going to be smiling ear to ear for the rest of this week!

By the way... does anyone know if the phone networks have gone down over Newcastle? I can't seem to get in touch with any of my black-and-white-supporting mates. I hope they're OK.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

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Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs says he is proud of his side's progress and that continuing their positive run is the only focus.

The Black Cats are now just two points away from the Premier League's top four.

Asked if Sunderland can begin to think about Europe, Roefs said: "We're not thinking anything about the end of the season. We just go into every game and we want to win it.

"We don't really look to the rankings and the points we have but we are amazingly proud of the way we're playing at the moment, the results we have and it's up to us to continue."

Sunday's victory over Newcastle brought their points total up to 26 after 16 games.

"This is for sure the most crazy atmosphere I've ever played in," Roefs added.

"The staff mentioned it a lot but also, everywhere you go the last few weeks, the fans and people have told you how important this game is and it didn't disappoint at all.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable and really helped us."

Florent Ghisolfi, Sunderland's director of football, had high praise for Dan Ballard after Sunday's derby day win over Newcastle.

"I can go to the market for all of them but I cannot find a Ballard," Ghisolfi said. "He is Sunderland - hard work, resilience, talent.

"I can look in Argentina and other markets, but I cannot find a Ballard."

Ballard was one of the Black Cats' key players in their promotion-winning campaign and scored in the final seconds of extra time against Coventry City to seal Sunderland's place in the Championship play-off final.

Despite Regis le Bris assembling a practically new squad for their top-flight return, the 26-year-old has featured in 14 of the opening 16 games, scoring two goals and assisting one.

"He is aggressive, he is decent on the ball and he is certainly one of the big characters on the pitch," said former Manchester United defender Phil Jones on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "I can't say I saw too much of him in the Championship, but maybe because of the players they brought in to play alongside him, Le Bris saw him as a good squad player - but he has had his opportunity and he has taken it."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

BBC commentators Nick Barnes and Matthew Raisbeck take in the end of Sunderland's win over Newcastle.

Sunderland's Barnes says that Newcastle never really put pressure on the Black Cats, and Newcastle commentator Raisbeck said the Magpies lacked desire and quality.

What will happen when the two sides meet at St James Park in March?

Former England striker Wayne Rooney believes Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is the signing of the season after he impressed once more against Newcastle on Sunday.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Podcast, he said: "I feared for Sunderland at the start of the season.

"But I think the signings have come in and been excellent, the energy and the quality they are playing with as well.

"I think from the owner and the manager it has been very detailed what they have done."

Rooney added: "Xhaka has to be the signing of the season. He has always been a good player.

"I thought going into Sunderland he could struggle and it wouldn't be a good singing but he has been incredible.

"His ability to dictate the players and slow the play down. He has been brilliant."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Ashley: Strong, committed, passionate and 100% effort all over the pitch. Can't ask for any more than that. Newcastle weren't up for the fight - Sunderland deserved the win.

Brian: Our gameplan worked but it does tend to stifle our creativity. Every player worked their socks off and deserved to win a very tense game.

Chips: We should have won that more comfortably than we did. I feel we overplayed it a lot, when a quick cross would have been better. Still a problem with finishing too. Having said that, We thoroughly deserved that win.

Chris: What a result! Scrappy game but Sunderland wanted it more. What a season this is turning out to be. I'm over the moon! What a fitting tribute to Gary Rowell - a true Sunderland legend.

Newcastle fans

Sean: Terrible team, terrible tactics, terrible showing, terrible subs, terrible management... MASSIVE game on Wednesday for Eddie Howe. I could see him going at end of the season.

Alan: It's a long time, a very long time, since I've seen a player have such a disappointing start to their career as Anthony Elanga has at Newcastle. If he was a young lad trying to break through the ranks he probably wouldn't get another start this season. Seriously, he can't cross, can't dribble, doesn't shoot and can't tackle. Maybe his old boss will take hint to West Ham for a re-boot!

Philip: Poor all-round and it felt like no effort was being made. Anthony Gordon and Elanga were awful - in fact, Elanga shouldn't have come back out at half-time. No service again to Nick Woltemade and later Yoane Wissa. All our play, every game is on the wings and it isn't working right now. We need a player in the so-called 10 position to link midfield and attack, to support the striker. Hope it's better midweek in the cup.

Paul: Shocking display. Summer signings apart from Malick Thiaw and Woltemade have been huge failures and nowhere near good enough. Whoever thought it was good business to sign Elanga, Ramsey, and Wissa for £153m should be held to account. Questions starting to be asked of Howe and co!

Pundits Joe Hart and Theo Walcott and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates 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:

• Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City

• Brentford 1-1 Leeds

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

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Jermain Defoe's volley. Kieran Richardson's thunderbolt free-kick. Fabio Borini's howitzer.

You can now add Woltemade's header to the list of memorable derby goals Sunderland have profited from at the Stadium of Light.

Never has a contribution from a Newcastle player been cheered so wildly by Sunderland supporters.

The hosts may have only had a single shot on target on Sunday, but don't let that fool you - they fully deserved this win.

When these sides last met - in the FA Cup, a couple of seasons ago - they were separated by a division. It was an afternoon when the gulf in class was evident.

Not anymore.

Sunderland have now beaten, among others, Newcastle and Chelsea and drawn against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool since coming up through the play-offs. They have not lost a single game at home.

This side's motto, 'til the end', has been associated with a series of astonishing late goals, but it was telling those powers of recovery were not required against Newcastle.

'Till the end' instead summed up the hosts' solidity and composure as they saw the game out.

Goalkeeper Robin Roefs stood tall and repeatedly claimed the ball. A smiling Mukiele whipped up the fans after winning a throw-in. Ballard held off Yoane Wissa in the dying moments.

No wonder the stadium was still full long after full-time as Sunderland supporters stayed behind to salute their side.

Listen to Enzo Le Fee and Granit Xhaka on BBC Sounds

Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, talking to Sky Sports, said after the 1-0 victory over Newcastle: "Proud and happy. It was a derby and we were expected [to win] by our fans. This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.

"During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third. We had good control and some times were more patient.

"It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans.

"It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week so let's go again."

You can listen to more from Le Bris here

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 Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland have made three changes for the visit of arch-rivals Newcastle United to the Stadium of Light.

Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbery all come into the starting line-up for the hosts.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Talbi, Brobbery

Subs: Patterson, Geertrvida, Hume, Isidor, Mayenda, Rigg, Dingra, Mundle, Neil

19-year-old Lewis Miley starts for Newcastle as the visitors bid to win a derby in the Premier League for the first time since 2011.

The midfielder is rewarded with a start after coming off the bench to score in the 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen midweek.

Anthony Elanga also comes into the team in the only other change from Wednesday night.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Miley, Tonali, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, J Murphy, A Murphy, Willock, Ramsey