Sunderland

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland starting XI:

Robin Roefs: Poor distribution - two goal-kicks went straight out of play. Hardly troubled in the first half but made a fine save to tip over Kai Havertz's acrobatic effort. 6

Thomas Meunier: Offered a threat on second balls from set pieces but couldn't covert a couple of half chances. Tracked back to help defensively. 6

Nordi Mukiele: Kept Christos Tzolis quiet and provided a good outlet on break, but didn't pick out the right passes. Weak shot when right in front of goal at 1-0 down. Forced David Raya into saves with two late chances but should have scored the second. 6

Kevin Danso: An unspectacular but assured home debut. 6

Dan Ballard: Defensively solid as ever and coped well with Arsenal's press. Should have scored from Xhaka free-kick, but won a penalty. 7

Reinildo Mandava: Largely contained Bukayo Saka, though was baited into fouling him and getting booked. Conceded late penalty and sent off. 4

Nilson Angulo: Lively on the wing and diligent in tracking back, but he should have run at Ben White and Ezri Konsa more. 6

Noah Sadiki: Showed willingness to get forward but also track back, but final ball lacked quality. 6

Granit Xhaka: Produced quality set-piece deliveries and busy as ever in midfield. Made a goal-saving clearance with the last kick of the first half. 7

Enzo Le Fee: Alert and always eager to drive attacks, but telegraphed his soft penalty. 6

Brian Brobbey: Made the lives of Konsa and White miserable all evening with his strength and hold-up play. Created space for others but didn't get any shots away, though that wasn't his brief tonight. 7

Sunderland substitutes:

Wilson Isidor (on 70, Angulo): 6

Malick Fofana (on 75, Meunier): 6

Subs not used: Dayann Methalie, Chemsdine Talbi, Chris Rigg, Luke O'Nien, Omar Alderete, Melker Ellborg, Trai Hulme.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris to BBC Match of the Day: "Frustrating result. Good game, especially in the second half. I think we went toe to toe with them and they are flying at the moment. We had the opportunity to score, I think it was deserved, [we] didn't score and thirty second after we conceded the goal. This is the level. I think they are relentless. When you don't seize your opportunities it's hard.

"The first half we were a bit reserved, respectful, knowing their threat and the way they play. The way they can damage your defence. So we were really well-organised, but we agreed at half-time it was important to show our quality with the ball. And that we did really well managing long balls at times and short balls when it was possible to play and we created chances.

"[David] Raya was one of the best players on the pitch today. It shows we are dangerous but not enough to score. We are really close. Winning is a process. They are at the top level right now. We were close this evening, it wasn't enough, but it was a good experience for us and our fans. We are getting better game after every game, it's hard to take but we need to go again.

"We have to believe and then it's a question of fine margins. Those fine margins are so hard to improve because it is the last percent and you need to work hard to get this one. We are in a good place. It's important to digest quickly because we have an impressive week ahead."

Did you know?

• Only Chelsea (eight) have received more Premier League red cards since the start of last season than Sunderland (four), with Reinildo Mandava one of three players to be sent off more than once in that time (two).

• Sunderland have lost just two of their last eight Premier League games (W3 D3), though at the Stadium of Light they've lost five of their previous nine league matches (W3 D1).

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

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth v Brentford

• Chelsea v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

This was a cracking game last season, finishing 2-2, and it is arguably Arsenal's toughest test so far in this campaign.

I really like Sunderland and their European campaign has not started yet so those extra games won't affect them here.

I feel like being brave and giving them a draw because they are well capable of taking a point off Arsenal, but the Gunners just have the ability to shut up shop when they need to, and they can get physical again if they need to.

Thinking about it, I can't really go against an Arsenal victory, because of the players they were able to bring on in last weekend's comeback win over Chelsea.

They have got A-list replacements everywhere they look and, if they need a goal against Sunderland, I can see them bringing someone on to get them one.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal will look to extend their perfect start to the new season when they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday (20:00 BST) in the Premier League.

The Gunners head to Wearside on the back of an impressive win over Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday. Arsenal have also won all three of their league games so far this campaign, making a strong start to the defence of the title they won last season.

Sunderland have bounced back well after an opening-weekend loss to Ipswich Town, taking four points from games against Fulham at home and Brentford away in their subsequent fixtures.

Can the Black Cats disarm the Gunners?

In the early weeks of last season, Sunderland were one of the few sides to give the Gunners problems. Dan Ballard's opening goal against Arsenal in November 2025 was the first time Mikel Arteta's side had conceded in eight games at the time; a stoppage-time strike from Brian Brobbey earned the Black Cats a 2-2 draw.

While they are capable of giving Arsenal a bloody nose, getting over the line and beating the Gunners has not been easy for Sunderland down the years.

Sunderland have only won one of their last 14 league games against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats actually only have one victory in 29 Premier League meetings against the Gunners, and are winless in 17.

How will they go about changing that record? With Arsenal likely to have the majority of the ball, Sunderland are likely to fall back on the direct style that has served them so well since returning to the Premier League. Under head coach Regis le Bris, they like to move the ball forward quickly.

Martin making his mark

Arsenal's start to the season has been supercharged by the form of their resurgent skipper, Martin Odegaard.

The midfielder netted one goal last season. This term, he has four in five games, including the winner against Napoli in midweek, as his sweet strike from the edge of the box capped off an excellent 29-pass move.

There has been a clear tactical shift in Odegaard's playing style this season, meaning he is getting much more of the ball in increasingly dangerous areas.

Overall, his shots, expected goals and touches in the opposition box are up this season per 90 compared with last term.

Odegaard's movements off the ball also illustrate more of a willingness to get into goalscoring positions.

In the Premier League this season, he has already made seven cross-option runs – a run to get into the penalty area to make yourself available for a cross while your team-mate has the ball in a wide area – having made just 10 across the whole of the previous term.

At the other end of the pitch, even with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba out injured, the Gunners remain solid at the back. Their win over Napoli made it three clean sheets from four and, across their past three games, they have conceded a total of 0.93 xG, which is the lowest in the division.

Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid has been speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle before this weekend's game against Arsenal.

Reid said: "Arsenal are a great football club, I think they'll win the league again. A tough game there for Sunderland.

"I was at the play-off game when they dug through against Sheffield United and against Coventry in the semi. The recruitment that summer was magnificent and, I've got to say, last season was brilliant. Hopefully they can keep it going but it's a tough one for them on a Saturday night."

On also balancing the Europa League this season, he added: "When you're in Europe and the fixtures come very fast, you don't get time to recuperate these days. It's a test of time but I'm sure Sunderland will be okay. I've been very, very impressed."

Listen to the interview in full by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

Colombian striker Kevin Viveros, 26, is nearing a new deal with Athletico Paranaense after attracting interest from Sunderland and Aston Villa over the summer. (ESPN Brazil, via Sunderland Echo, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed winger Romain Mundle has sustained a new knee injury: "It is a shame because he worked so hard in the summer and had a good pre-season. He is talented, a really good winger, so we support and back him for the next period. We hope he will be ready at the end of the year."

• He added that Habib Diarra is "in the middle" of his recovery period from a hamstring injury.

• On winger Nilson Angulo's start to the season: "He arrived in the winter last year and it is not an easy period. He got an injury really quickly. He is a nice person, a really good player, with a different culture - so it takes time to adapt. The World Cup helped his confidence and now he is getting better game by game. I think it is just the beginning for him."

• When asked about a new mural detailing the Black Cats' rise from League One to Europe and his pride at leading them now, Le Bris said: "Really proud to be manager of this club in this period. The emotions, the journey, the connection with the fans, the region, the momentum of the club - it is a privilege to be in this position. I enjoy every second. We are working together really hard behind the scenes and it's really good to be in this situation."

• On Brian Brobbey, who scored a late equaliser in this fixture last season: "He's a great striker. He needed time to settle in and struggled a bit physically at the beginning because he had an incomplete pre-season. Now he is in a really good place. He's so physical and he's getting better game by game. We will see the best of him sooner or later."

• On the challenge of facing champions Arsenal: "This season, they are flying. They are one of the best teams in Europe. Five wins in a row so the run is really impressive. We learned that to be competitive in this kind of game you have to be yourself. The more you have this underdog mentality, togetherness, connection with the fans, intensity until the end - it is very important. The flexibility and clarity of the game model [is important] because they are so adaptive. We have to adapt in real time."

• Asked whether his team will have to be perfect to get a result against the Gunners, Le Bris said: "It is not possible to be perfect but we have to stay true to our ideas. When you face a really strong opponent you can be a bit shy. The best learning from last season was that if we are ourselves - no regret. They will find solutions but we are getting better with flexibility and how we adapt when something unexpected happens. It will be challenging but I am very excited to experience this situation again."

• On the importance of the home fans be under the lights on Saturday night: "It's a powerful driver. It starts from us - the way we play and how we impose our ideas. If we are proactive they are behind us. They back us and they feed the energy for the press, second balls, counter-attacks and so on. The connection with the fans helps us a lot."

Hit play above to hear more from Le Bris or listen on BBC Sounds

Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.

Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.

The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.

Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.

A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.

The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.

The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.

Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.

The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.

Premier League Christmas and New Year schedule

Saturday, 26 December

12:30 Aston Villa v Leeds

15:00 Everton v Sunderland

15:00 Fulham v Brighton

15:00 Ipswich v Brentford

15:00 Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

17:30 Hull v Liverpool

20:00 Newcastle v Manchester City

Sunday, 27 December

14:00 Coventry v Chelsea

16:30 Manchester Utd v Nottingham Forest

19:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Tuesday, 29 December

19:30 Hull v Leeds

19:30 Spurs v Brighton

20:15 Everton v Manchester City

Wednesday, 30 December

19:30 Coventry v Brentford

19:30 Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Fulham v Arsenal

19:30 Manchester United v Sunderland

19:30 Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

20:15 Aston Villa v Liverpool

20:15 Ipswich v Chelsea

Friday, 1 January

20:00 Leeds v Everton

Saturday, 2 January

12:30 Brighton v Manchester United

15:00 Arsenal v Ipswich

15:00 Brentford v Crystal Palace

15:00 Liverpool v Coventry

15:00 Nottingham Forest v Fulham

15:00 Sunderland v Hull

17:30 AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Sunday, 3 January

14:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:30 Manchester City v Spurs

Tuesday, 5 January

19:30 Arsenal v Brentford

19:30 Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

19:30 Everton v Aston Villa

19:30 Nottingham Forest v Hull

20:15 Sunderland v Liverpool

Wednesday, 6 January

19:30 Crystal Palace v Chelsea

19:30 Fulham v Spurs

19:30 Ipswich v Coventry

20:15 Leeds v Manchester City

Thursday, 7 January

20:00 Manchester United v Newcastle

It has been a tumultuous period for Sunderland midfielder Chemsdine Talbi - a strong 2026 World Cup campaign with Morocco, linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and excluded from Regis le Bris' Europa League squad.

However, Black Cats sporting director Florent Ghisolfi told the Sunderland Echo, external: "Chemsdine will stay with us - 100%."

Ghisolfi added that Talbi's exclusion from the Europa League squad was the result of him holding "conversations with very good clubs" during the transfer window.

"Because we were in conversations, if we put him on the list and after that he was left, we could lose this slot for eight games," he explained.

Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle that Talbi "looked cool and calm" in the 1-0 victory over Hull City on Tuesday.

Talbi marked his first start of the season with a goal, as Le Bris' side progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

"He is a talented player and he had a big influence last season. A great result and a nice way to win the game," added Gabbiadini.

Hit play above to hear more from Gabbiadini or listen on BBC Sounds here

Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg says there is a "fighting spirit" among the squad to prove people wrong this season.

Rigg was one of 11 changes made from the team that drew with Brentford on the weekend to the side that beat Hull City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, and believes there are a lot of players trying to earn their place.

"It's been mentioned that we're one of the favourites to go down again and of course we hear that in the changing room and it fuels us for the coming weeks," Rigg said.

"It's a good thing for us because we're always known as the underdogs, even in the Championship we were the underdogs, we're just going to keep going with that fighting spirit.

"We want to take it game-by-game but we've also got to think that there's a lot of games coming up and our squad depth is good now - we've got a lot of players fighting for their place.

"Most of the lads decided to stay here because they know what we want to do by the end of the season. We want to do well in the league and we want to do well in Europe, and it's a big challenge for everyone. We're all really excited for it."

Listen to the full chat by pressing play above or on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie between Sunderland and Hull City.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans:

Graham: Good solid performance to progress with 11 changes from the weekend. All three new signings had a good game, with Jules Ahoka playing particularly well. Fantastic finish from Chemsdine Talbi to win the game. Confidence-building and match practice for all involved.

Ian: A well organised run out for Sunderland. They didn't look like world beaters tonight with a changed team. Talbi's goal was sublime and a worthy match-winner. The debutants looked like decent additions. Positive result.

Will: Considering it was an entirely rotated XI, very promising. Depth in the squad is at levels we probably have never had before. Ahoka one to watch, seems very tidy for a player who has played a handful of senior games.

Hull fans:

Chris: It would have been a bonus to win this, however staying in the Premier League must remain our priority this year. Pleased some of our new players got an outing, hopefully that will bode well for the next tricky game against Chelsea. Up the Tigers!

Richard: Team did not gel, especially the defence. Gelhardt should have made it 1-1 and it looked as though Hull should have had a penalty a few minutes into the game. However, Sunderland deserve to go through.

Rod: Strategic loss for Hull. The last thing they need is extended cup runs eating away at their efforts to stay up in the Premier League.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after the Black Cats' third round Carabao Cup victory over Hull City: "Making 11 changes is not very easy for the working flow of the squad.

"First half was probably connected with the lack of references, but the energy was good, I think, especially at the start.

"Second half was a bit better. A bit more composure, a bit more fluidity in our game. We found a way to score, which is good."

On Chemsdine Talbi staying at the club and his performance: "I am pleased because he is a good player.

"I had this conversation before, now it is clear that he wants to stay with us. Happy to have him in the squad.

"He showed today he can even play in a different position in this 10 position. I think it was really good in transition, the ability to exploit big spaces and his finishing was great.

"I think he has this quality. Especially when we can regain the ball a bit deeper. The ability to repeat sprints at high intensity is fantastic.

"He is good, he can drive the ball and he can give and go. His finishing ability is superb."

On Jocelin Ta Bi: "Jocelin is getting better.

"He needs game time and experience, so this one was really important. Probably in the first half, he was a bit shy.

"Progressively, he showed he has good qualities, especially on the ball. I think it is just the beginning for him because he needs confidence, and he has the ability to be a really strong winger."

Listen to more match reaction from Chris Rigg on BBC Sounds

Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi. 21, is close to agreeing a deal to sign for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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 Hull City's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Lincoln City

• Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Leyton Orient v Bradford City

• Sunderland v Hull City

• Millwall v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times 19:45 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live EFL Cup commentary on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Crystal Palace match".

There's also Champions League action happening on Tuesday - follow those games here

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Gabbiadini says Sunderland deserved to win at Brentford after taking the game to their opponents on Saturday.

The former Sunderland striker, speaking to Radio Newcastle, believes the Black Cats' attacking approach could have earned them all three points and suggested the result could prove significant when looking back at the end of the season.

"If you finish the season in a similar position to what we finished last season and you look back over it, you might look back and think this is one that could have taken us another place up the table," said Gabbiadini.

"You can go and draw a game and it can be a bit of a stalemate and you don't take too much risk. I thought Sunderland had a real go on Saturday and really took the game to the opposition and said 'well what are you going to do about it?'

"So that means you're committing men forward, you're covering distances, so midfielders are getting into the box.

"We saw Noah Sadiki come in late into the box on so many occasions, Thomas Meunier getting in the box. You only get what you deserve usually, if you commit like that, you're going to win more games than you lose."

Gabbiadini pointed to Enzo Le Fee's strike hitting the post as an example of Sunderland's threat, while he felt Brian Brobbey could have done more to react to the effort.

He added: "I thought Sunderland deserved to win the game - Enzo Le Fee's strike hit the post. I thought Brian Brobbey was a little bit slow to react, as a centre-forward you know, the ball didn't come to him.

"You've got to reposition for what's happening next. It was clearly going to be a strike on goal, I think he needed to be ducking out of the way of that. Maybe a little un-sighted, and maybe I'm being a bit harsh but little things like that make a huge difference in a game."