Undoubtedly, Sunderland – who received 2-1 at on Saturday – have been the largest shock of the Premier League to date this season.
Minutes away from a Championship play-off last defeat in Might, they are going to finish October fourth within the prime flight.
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With 17 factors from 9 matches, the Black Cats have equalled their greatest Premier League begin, matching their tally from 1999-2000.
Solely 5 newly promoted sides have earned extra factors than Sunderland in the identical variety of matches. All 5, together with Sunderland themselves in 2000, managed to outlive relegation.
“It is an unbelievable begin and one which’s been nicely earned,” former captain Troy Deeney informed Ultimate Rating.
“When you mentioned that a few months in the past, Sunderland followers would let you know, you are loopy.”
Ex- and England midfielder Michael Carrick added on BBC Radio 5 Reside: “Anybody who’s sincere sufficient will say that they by no means anticipated Sunderland to start out this nicely, so full credit score to them.
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“The quantity of factors they’ve collected already has given them an unbelievable begin and that is one thing they are going to wish to construct on.”
The place do you suppose the Black Cats can end this marketing campaign? A dream run to European locations or may relegation nonetheless be on the playing cards?