Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris spoke to BBC Match of The Day after his side's late victory against Chelsea: "We try our best to design a game plan for this game. I think it worked well even if we conceded an early goal. High press, they have this ability to exploit space with their players going one-v-one. Their players have many offensive threats so they scored early.

"With the ball we were alright I think. Without the ball it was tough but it got a bit better, second half was really good. It didn't feel like it was possible for them to score. We felt the momentum shift a bit and it was possible to score.

"The emotions in the club so far are excellent. It's impressive. We've found this togetherness not only across the squad but also across the club with the fans as well. When the energy is like that you can create many positives, like this win today.

"I think we struggled a bit out of position because it was absolutely obvious. With the ball I'm really happy because we showed good qualities. For the defensive block we struggled a bit to find the right position and it was critical so after 15 minutes were done and we have this connection to build something a little bit different.

"Today against this squad, Chelsea have so many threats, it was really important to be clinical. It's a positive lesson because we won in the end."

On Sunderland being second in the table: "It's good for them, [the fans] positive vibes. I think they deserve this. For us the target always remains the same. We want to reach this target of 40 points more or less as soon as possible."

Sunderland goalscorer Wilson Isidor to BBC MOTD: "We know that coming to play at Stamford Bridge is not easy, even more when you're one goal down. But this team has a lot of character. I'm not surprised. I'm really happy about the win and I hope we will continue like this.

"My job was to close down [Moises] Caicedo, we know how he starts the attack every time. They put me in trouble when they had two sixes, I didn't know who to follow. But they did not continue with this. I'm really happy about it. The model of the game was to stay together, even if we had to suffer. We suffered and we won so the rewards were there.

"I think this win we dedicate to our fans. They still believed until the end. Last season our slogan was 'until the end' and today we showed that.

"We know with Nordi Mukiele he is a machine, he can throw the ball so far. I have to expect every time that the ball will jump to my feet. I was like a fox. That's how we say. We say renarde in French.

"We don't want to speak too much. We are just playing our games. We will see where we finish."

Did you know you're now second in the table?: "We're second?! That's nice, no? We are not second, it is not the end of the season. We have to keep focusing.

Did you know?

• Sunderland's 17 points from their opening nine Premier League games is the best return by a promoted club at this stage since Hull City in 2008-09 (20).

Hear more from Regis le Bris on BBC Sounds

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

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Enzo Maresca makes eight changes to the side who saw off Ajax on Wednesday and starts Alejandro Garnacho alongside Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto.

Chelsea starting XI: Sanchez, James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Pedro, Garnacho, Guiu

Subs: Jorgensen, Tosin, Fofana, Hato, Lavia, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, George

Regis Le Bris makes two changes to the team that beat Wolves last weekend with Omar Alderete missing out due to a concussion and Chris Rigg dropping to the bench.

Sunderland starting XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo, Geertrudia, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Isidor

Subs: Patterson, Neil, O'Nein, Talbi, Rigg, Brobbery, Mayenda, Jones, Masuaku

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

• Chelsea v Sunderland (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Fulham (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Brighton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brentford v Liverpool (20:00)

Kick-offs 15:00 BST 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 Sunderland" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Fulham", for instance.

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

This fixture does not hold too many good memories for me, because my Chelsea debut was against the Black Cats in 1999.

They are terrible memories, actually, because I missed a couple of one-on-ones but at least it was a good team performance and I still got a win bonus... although thinking about it, they should have taken that off me.

I am going for another Chelsea win this time too, even though Joao Pedro is in my Fantasy team and he is not scoring.

They made lots of changes against Ajax on Wednesday but still won so emphatically.

Enzo Maresca's side were not as convincing when they beat Nottingham Forest last weekend and the 3-0 scoreline flattered them a bit, but after a bit of a wobble in September, they have now won four in a row in all competitions.

Sunderland are extremely well organised but I'd still fancy Chelsea to find a way through - which is probably bad news for Blues supporters.

I don't want to sound too negative about how my predictions are going, but I got Sunderland wrong every week even when I was doing well, and at the moment I am doing badly.

I am going to write the Black Cats off again now though because I think we are already at the stage where their fans want me to. They know it means there is a good chance of them winning.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

In-form Chelsea host the pick of the promoted sides Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues have won each of their past four matches in all competitions, with three of those victories coming at home, including a 5-1 thrashing of Dutch giants Ajax in midweek.

Much was made of the starting XI chosen by head coach Enzo Maresca for that match which, with an average age of just 22, was the second youngest named by an English side in Champions League history.

His bold selection was vindicated by their emphatic win, with Marc Guiu, Estevao and Tyrique George finding the target - the first time in the competition's history that three teenagers have scored for one team in a single match.

Marseca remains the only manager in Premier League history not to select a player over the age of 30, although some of his more experienced names should return on Saturday, with the likes of Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Pedro Neto all rested for their European fixture.

One player who will not return this weekend is Cole Palmer. The 23-year old has only featured fleetingly this season because of a groin issue but his absence has largely been masked by the emergence of Estevao, who was exceptional against 10-man Ajax on Wednesday.

The 18-year old is the youngest Blues player to set up a Premier League goal, the youngest Brazilian to score a winner in the Premier League and the youngest Chelsea player to score in the Champions League. His head coach has also hinted at a likeness between him and Chelsea's missing star.

"Cole started wide at Manchester City then built some physicality," said Maresca. "In the future, Estevao can do the same and become a number 10."

Sunderland head to the capital with confidence and rightly so.

The Premier League newcomers have made their joint-best start to a Premier League season, matching the efforts of the 1999-2000 squad managed by Peter Reid. His side went on to finish seventh.

The Black Cats have also gone 13 away league games against London sides without losing since a 2-1 defeat at Fulham in April 2018, winning four of those matches and drawing nine.

Sunderland made sweeping changes to the side that won Championship promotion and the majority of the club's raft of summer signings have hit the ground running.

Robin Roefs, 22, has arguably been the pick of the bunch and according to Opta's data he has prevented a total of three goals this season, more than any other Premier League goalkeeper.

None of the past 16 Premier League meetings between these sides at Stamford Bridge have resulted in a draw, with Chelsea winning 13 and Sunderland the other three.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed Omar Alderete will miss the trip to West London but is his "only" injury concern: "He is under concussions protocols. He is having daily assessments - we'll keep monitoring him. We will see if he can make Everton."

• He added it is an "advantage" to have Reinildo back available after serving a three-match suspension for a red card against Aston Villa and the defender has "lifted the standards of training".

• On the challenge posed by the Blues: "Chelsea are really strong. It's a top four team in the Premier League. They can play 60 games, they have depth, young and dynamic. It's a good example for us. They are well coached and have individuals who can win a game. It's a big test."

• Le Bris said Sunderland's start to the season has been a "good start to the season" which shows his side can be "flexible and consistent". He said: "At the minute, it's fair to say part of the pitch needs development but we believe these players can compete at the level. I repeat, it's a question of time and support. We trust them."

• On Marc Guiu being recalled by Chelsea after playing three times for the Black Cats on loan at the start of the season: "The transfer market sometimes is weird. We appreciate the short time with Marc but not it's a different story."

• Asked about how Sunderland executed the signing of Nordi Mukiele, Le Bris said: "You need money to be competitive but it's not everything. You need your expertise, to understand the profile you need. The recruitment structure worked really well to find these profiles."

• On Noah Sadiki being nominated for young African player of the year: "He's really well connected with us, a big personality. Very coachable. He wants to be the best player possible - this fits well with what we want to develop here."

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

Listen to live commentary of Chelsea v Sunderland on Saturday from 15:00 on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's return in style from the international break added weight to the noise that is surrounding the city and the football club at the moment.

The day kicked off in style with the official opening of Keel Crossing - a brand new footbridge that links the city centre to the Stadium of Light across the River Wear.

For pre-match beer drinkers like myself, that has shaved a good half an hour off the time it takes to get from the pub to the turnstiles - and that can only be a good thing.

There was certainly a sense that the majority of the people at the game had enjoyed the extra beer or two that had been afforded to them by the additional time spent in the various ale houses across Sunderland city centre. It helped ensure the atmosphere was buoyant and expectant as our in-form side took on Wolves.

Our visitors are in an awful situation, having collected only two points since the season started. We did not want to be the first team beaten by them in the Premier League this season so, despite the international break, our Lads were on their toes and ready for action.

After controlling the first half to lead though, the second half was not as pleasant, and had we played someone better than the team currently propping up the rest of the division we might have been made to pay.

Regis le Bris was typically gracious in his post-match comments, and gave Wolves the credit they deserved for making it a game, but the same cannot be said about Vítor Pereira, who seemed to be in deflection mode and looked down his nose at Sunderland for the way we opted to play the game.

Sorry, Vitor, but when you are bottom of the table you really cannot stand there and look down at anyone. Substance means more than style at this level.

Thankfully, having looked up to clubs like Wolves in the recent past, it is nice to be sat here with their fans admiring the way our team plays.

We have come such a long way in a short space of time.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Gabbiadini praised Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard for dealing with Wolves' threat in Saturday's win.

"We all love Ballard, he is a player that every fan wants to see playing," Gabbiadini said.

"Alderete and Ballard just headed and booted everything out of the box.

"Wolves had lots of ball, possession and passes. What did they achieve with that output? Not that much."

Listen to the full conversation from BBC Radio Newcastle here

John Bennett
Final score reporter at Stadium of Light

Image source, Getty Images

I am starting to think that Robin Roefs might be one of the signings of the season in the Premier League. At just 22 years of age, he has slotted into what can be a very unforgiving division with ease since his summer move from the Dutch side NEC.

Saturday's win over Wolves was not his busiest game and Sunderland were fortunate in the second half that their opponents were struggling in the final third, but it was yet another clean sheet for the 22-year-old, adding to a growing collection.

In fact, opponents have now failed to score against him in 50% of his Premier League matches this season - four clean sheets in eight games.

There have been some memorable saves such as the athletic stretch to deny Bruno Fernandes against Manchester United, but what really stands out is his commanding presence in the Sunderland penalty area.

Yet again against Wolves, he looked so solid, calm and composed. It is as if he has been playing for the club and with this current set of players for years, which is remarkable when you consider that he is one of 16 summer signings.

It has been a great start to the season for Sunderland and Roefs is without doubt one of the big reasons why they are flying high.

There may have been more glamorous new arrivals to the Premier League this summer but very few have had the impact he has had so far.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League match between Sunderland and Wolves.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Ronnie: Haway Sunderland! Resolute in defence and able to break forward to threaten. That 'nailed on' relegation doesn't loom as large as it once did. Regis le Bris is a tactician who can also drill a defence into becoming a brick wall. Long may it continue!

David: A solid defensive performance against a poor but unlucky Wolves. We rode our luck too much and it was uncomfortable viewing. We really do need to find out how to finish teams off earlier. But I'm still very happy with the win. Haway the lads!!

Milo: I thought we didn't play our best brand of football today and yet still looked really impressive. We let Wolves look more dangerous than they deserved to but we're not the Sunderland of old and we didn't really even look like conceding. All that's left to say is watch the gap, Newcastle!

Wolves fans

Mark: Lacklustre, clueless and uninspiring. How many times can you try crossing without looking? Long balls to a striker who can't be bothered to jump! Whatever Vitor Pereira looks at on his screen is not the answer!

Richard: A must-win game was a very lame display. It saddens me to say but the Championship seems inevitable. I just can't see any other outcome.

Giorgio: The players are afraid of their own shadows. Same scenario as the end of the Gary O'Neil era. From outside, it's always hard to judge, but I am not sure the squad likes and understand what Pereira wants. Too defensive, no creativity and not enough forward threats. In my opinion, the players could be good enough for a decent season but something is not working. We are in big trouble.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Gabby Logan 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:

• Manchester City 2-0 Everton

• Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth

• Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

While there is a long way to go in the season, Sunderland have already dispelled any suggestion that they would struggle to make an impression after eight years outside the top flight.

Their start is all the more remarkable given that half of that time was spent in the third tier of English football, where they were operating as recently as 2022.

But a summer recruitment drive that delivered 14 new faces is reaping dividends.

Nordi Mukiele, who arrived from Paris St-Germain, impressed again and looks a shrewd investment in a deal worth around £12m, while DR Congo international Noah Sadiki provided plenty of industry.

And no home player covered more ground than captain Granit Xhaka, who offered an anchoring presence to Sunderland's midfield, particularly in the first period.

Listen to Gary Bennett's post-match reaction on BBC Sounds

Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunderland's victory against Wolves: "It's an important win. It was important to react after Manchester United defeat last time out. I was happy with the mind-set of the team. We started well and dominated possession. We generated momentum and chances. My only regret was we didn't score the second goal until late.

"We're still a young team but we showed a togetherness to keep a clean sheet."

On goalscorer Nordi Mukiele: "He has really good energy. He is a good player with a specific profile. He always shows this energy to go forward. Sometimes we have to manage that energy."

On Sunderland's target this season: "For me it's just a question of the next game. It's a long journey and a tough journey. If we can win points early, it's good for the confidence."

Did you know?

Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign (his final season with Arsenal), Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been on the winning side in 77 different league games. Only Federico Valverde (82) has won more games in the big five European leagues.

• Listen to Le Bris' post-match interview on BBC Sounds

• Trai Hume gave his thoughts to BBC Radio Newcastle

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 Wolves' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland make two changes to the side that started their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United on 4 October. Chris Rigg and Dan Ballard both come in with Simon Adingra and Arthur Masuaku dropping to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Mukiele, Xhaka, Sadiki, Traore, Rigg, Le Fee, Isidor.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Geertruida, Talbi, Brobbey, Mayenda, O'Nien, Adingra, Masuaku.

Wolves make two changes to the side that began their 1-1 draw against Brighton before the international break with Matt Doherty and Rodrigo Gomes coming in for Jackson Tchatchoua and the injured Hwang Hee-chan.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Doherty, S Bueno, Krejci, H Bueno, Munetsi, Trindade, J Gomes, Arias, Larsen, R Gomes.

Subs: Sa, Wolfe, Agbadou, Arokodare, Mosquera, T Gomes, Hoever, Lopez, Tchatchoua.

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

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brighton v Newcastle

• Burnley v Leeds United

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Man City v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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

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

Kick-off times 15:00 BST 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 Fulham v Arsenal", for instance.

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

Firstly, huge apologies to Sunderland fans. After all the stick I got from them for being so negative about them this season, I knew that as soon as I backed them to win a game, the wheels would come off - and that's exactly what happened against Manchester United.

It just shows that they are better off with me writing off their team, so they should probably welcome my prediction for this game.

This week, they are at home to Wolves, who are bottom of the table without a win, but the Black Cats have picked up a few injuries and their squad strength is a little bit of a concern.

United deserved to beat them before the international break - and it's not often you say that about United, is it? But I was impressed by Regis le Bris, because he did not make any excuses afterwards.

Sunderland need to get back on track, but I don't think they will find it straightforward against a Wolves side who have drawn their last two games. There is not going to be a lot in this and even I can't pick a winner.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here