Sunderland’s 17 points so far is the most from a promoted side since Hull City in 2008-09 (20)
After two successive years of the promoted sides failing to impress in the Premier League, the current crop of teams are impressively bucking the trend.
Both Leeds and Burnley have already shown they are up for the battle against relegation after each winning three games out of nine so far – but the highest praise is rightfully going to Championship play-off winners Sunderland.
Just five months after Tommy Watson’s dramatic stoppage-time winner against Sheffield United at Wembley – and some seven years since dropping down to League One – the Black Cats are now flying high in fourth in the top flight, with another late winner at Chelsea arguably their most impressive yet of their five victories so far.
Their success under Regis Le Bris has had many wondering how far their superb form can take them this season. 101GreatGoals breaks down the reasons for their brilliant start.
Eye-catching transfer window
Much was made of Sunderland’s busy transfer window which saw them overhaul the squad with 14 new signings but it is looking more impressive as the weeks go on.
The likes of Nordi Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida, Robin Roefs, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey all stood out during the win at Chelsea and look well-versed for English football.
While none of them had prior Premier League experience, they have all featured in the Champions League before and are showing their quality under the guidance of Le Bris.
It is rare to see so many players impressing so quickly for a new side – particularly for a promoted team – so lots of credit has to go to the Sunderland boss and the wider staff for helping them bed in so quickly.
The Xhaka effect
One arrival that has Premier League experience in abundance is Granit Xhaka, who is staking a strong claim for the signing of the summer following his surprise arrival to the North-East from Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Arsenal captain is surely another key reason why so many players have settled into the side so quickly, with the Switzerland international acting as Le Bris’ lietenant on the field, providing the example for his team-mates to follow.
His performance at Stamford Bridge has been described as a “midfield masterclass”, completing more tackles than any other player (four), also winning six out of seven duels and not committing a foul.
Xhaka brings the type of experience that so few promoted teams have and it is making a huge difference in what is another testament to the Sunderland recriutment team.
Defensive solidity
So many Championship teams come up and try to continue playing an expansive style against superior opposition and so often get found out – but the foundation of Sunderland’s success is their defensive solidity.
Daniel Ballard – one of the heroes of their promotion – stole many of the headlines against Chelsea with seven clearances but it was the system deployed by Le Bris that frustrated the Blues.
Meanwhile, with Omar Alderete sidelined, Le Bris handed Geertruida his first start, deploying the adaptable Dutchman as a third centre-back when Sunderland were out of possession.
Nordi Mukiele moved wider to the right to cover Trai Hume’s advances into midfield once the ball was regained.
The complex system was not easy to carry out, but Sunderland’s players executed it perfectly – frustrating a side who had won their previous four games prior and scoring 11 goals.
Few teams survive the drop without a good defence – Sunderland certainly have that in abundance and it has them dreaming of goals much loftier than surviving relegation.
