The 2025-26 Premier League season is barely a sport previous however, for Sunderland followers, the embryonic desk deserves greater than only a cursory look.
Tipped by many to make a swift return to the Championship, Regis Le Bris’ workforce confounded the pre-season doom-mongers with a to begin their first top-flight marketing campaign since 2016-17 in fashion.
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After preserving Graham Potter’s facet at bay within the first half, the Black Cats discovered their claws within the second as headers from Eliezer Mayenda and Dan Ballard gave them a snug two-goal cushion earlier than Wilson Isidor put the icing on a flawless second-half show in added time.
The ultimate whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the many residence supporters, who had gone practically 13 years with out seeing their workforce win a match within the opening two months of a top-flight season, since a 1-0 overcome Wigan Athletic in September 2012.
You must go even additional again for Sunderland’s final Premier League win within the month of August – a 1-0 victory over Manchester Metropolis in 2010.
“I am delighted,” Ballard advised BBC Sport afterwards. “What an ideal begin to life again within the Premier League. It couldn’t have gone any higher in the present day.
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“I am delighted for the followers, as a result of they’ve had some robust occasions earlier than. It is very nice once you may give again to them.”
Former England worldwide – and Sunderland fan – Steph Houghton advised Last Rating: “This win means completely all the things to town and all people related to the membership, particularly when you think about the journey that we now have been on.
“We went all the way down to League One. It is effectively documented that the membership in all probability hit all-time low, however now we’re lastly again within the Premier League. It is a very proud day for everyone linked to the membership.”
Would gamers gel? ‘At present they answered that’
After eight years within the wilderness of the Championship and League One, Sunderland have spent large in an try to preserve their heads above water this season.
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They’ve – Nottingham Forest maintain the file for the most important outlay by a workforce promoted to the Premier League, with the approximate £142m they spent bringing in 21 gamers in the summertime of 2022.
Nordi Mukiele’s impending arrival is about to extend the variety of new faces on Wearside to 12.
The defender was rumoured to be at Saturday’s sport earlier than a reported £9.5m transfer from Paris St-Germain. If he was among the many crowd, the previous Leverkusen and Leipzig participant can have loved what he noticed as seven new signings made their league debuts.
The tenacity and composure of veteran Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka allowed his team-mates to flourish, with former Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra’s ability and shut management within the closing third inflicting the Hammers all types of issues.
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Noah Sadiki, one other summer season arrival from Belgium, completes a potent midfield trio which – on this proof – seems to be greater than able to preserving the Black Cats afloat.
Goalkeeper Robin Roefs additionally loved an impressive debut, making a nice cease from Jarrod Bowen within the first half earlier than preserving his clear sheet late on by tipping Isidor’s tried clearance over the crossbar.
And but, for all of the speak of recent arrivals, it was three of Sunderland’s Championship play-off heroes who grabbed the headlines.
Mayenda netted Sunderland’s opener whereas Ballard – who denied West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf within the first half with an outstanding last-ditch clearance – rescued the Black Cats from
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Isidor – a second-half substitute on Saturday – was additionally heading in the right direction towards the Sky Blues, opening the scoring earlier than a late Mayenda strike sealed a 2-1 win.
Ex-England striker Wayne Rooney advised BBC Match of the Day: “The indicators are glorious. They performed loads of debutants however the organisation was similar to how they performed final season. There was loads of power about Sunderland.
“We noticed final season the promoted groups arising, making an attempt to play and be expansive – and you may’t do this. Sunderland confirmed you may get outcomes if you’re organised, work onerous and keep collectively as a workforce.”
“The gamers they’ve, and the gamers they’ve signed, makes me suppose Sunderland will keep up,” added former Black Cats midfielder Don Hutchinson on Premier League Kick-Off. “I believe Xhaka goes to be an actual chief.”
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Former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett advised BBC Radio Newcastle: “We now have to recollect the large strides we now have made.
“The large query was, after signing all these gamers: would they gel collectively as a workforce? At present they answered that query.”
Quick Black Cats begin may show essential
Final season, we needed to wait till 5 October for any of the three promoted golf equipment – Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton – to get their first victory.
Latest historical past suggests a quick begin is essential for promoted top-flight sides. Prior to now 10 seasons, all 12 promoted golf equipment who’ve accrued 11 factors or extra of their opening 10 video games have averted relegation.
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Against this, solely two of the 18 groups with 10 or fewer factors after the identical variety of matches have stayed up.
Burnley have been on Saturday afternoon, whereas Leeds – who welcome Everton to Elland Highway on Monday – have their work reduce out to match Sunderland’s memorable opening-day triumph.
With video games arising towards the newly promoted Clarets, and a Brentford facet in transition following Frank’s departure, Le Bris and his gamers will fancy their probabilities of constructing on their phenomenal begin.
“We have got to look to go to Burnley and try to win the sport,” mentioned Houghton. “We’ll positively be going into the match stuffed with confidence.
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“Le Bris has constructed a younger squad with a number of tempo, particularly in ahead areas. Once you create these possibilities you must take them and that is precisely what they did.
“The Sunderland followers at all times make loads of noise and hopefully they’ll make Turf Moor really feel just like the Stadium of Gentle subsequent weekend.”
