Sunderland

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 14:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris said that centre-back Dan Ballard "is fully fit and he has trained normally this week, so he is available for selection but you have to understand the dynamic of the group and the key for Ballard is to build his fitness levels".

• On other players, he said: "Nilson [Angulo], Bertrand [Traoré] and Jocelin [Ta Bi] are still sidelined but they are really close to reconnect with the squad maybe around the Forest game."

• On whether he has found a fixed starting 11, Le Bris said: "It's a dynamic first choice of 11. We have spoken to the players around this because it is an important topic. The purpose of the club is to grow and if you want to do this you need depth which means competition in the positions. It is about our future. This competition allows us to push ourselves."

• Sunderland have comfortably passed Le Bris's pre-season points target of 40 and he said: "40 points is an in-reach target put probably the highest points [possible], maybe less but if you want to set the highest standards 40 points is fair."

• Le Bris said earlier in the season that his team's mentality had struggled after an international break, but things are different after the latest one and he said: "We have a positive energy in the team at the minute."

• He added: "The approach remains the same and the results are a consequence of daily standouts. It is about the daily ambition and I have felt this week the energy is growing."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play on the clip above

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini and BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes discuss Enzo Le Fee's contributions this season and whether he is an "unsung hero" for the Black Cats.

Barnes said: "He's a little magician! All of this talk about interest in Brian Brobbey/Robin Roefs/Noah Sadiki and yet nobody ever talks about Le Fee. He has been one of the players that's having one of the biggest influences in games."

Click below to hear in full or listen on BBC Sounds

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Sunderland go to Aston Villa with a carrot dangling this weekend.

The Black Cats have won 46 points in the Premier League, a tally which is already their most in a top-flight season since 2010-11 (47). Should they land a win, it would be their biggest points tally since earning 57 in 2000-01.

It's been a remarkable return to the big time.

Regis le Bris' side have 12 wins in the Premier League during the campaign. That is as many as all three newly promoted sides managed combined last season and the most victories by a promoted team in a season since Fulham won 15 in 2022-23.

The only downer, Sunderland are without a win at Villa Park in six outings.

The Guardian's Louise Taylor believes Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs would "benefit" from staying at the club for "another couple of years", rather than move away and risk his career stalling.

The 23-year-old, signed from Dutch side NEC last summer, has been one of the Black Cats' standout performers this season, keeping nine Premier League clean sheets so far as Regis Le Bris' side look to finish in the top half in their first season back in the top flight after promotion.

Unsurprisingly, his excellent form has led to links with other clubs.

"The key thing about Sunderland is they are a proper team in the real sense of the word," Taylor told BBC Radio Newcastle. "They will suffer for each other, fight for each other and sacrifice things for each other.

"Off the pitch, they have a great spirit and atmosphere.

"He [Roefs] is still so young. I think he would benefit from staying there for another couple of years and getting all those games and all that experience.

"He could easily be on the bench somewhere and things could slip. Look at Illan Meslier at Leeds - he has slipped down to third choice now and at one point he was tipped to be France's number one. You've got to be careful what you wish for.

"But Sunderland, at this stage, will need to trade and I'm sure we will see one or two players, like it or not, probably moving on this summer. It is up to Florent Ghisolfi as to how he replaces them and whether he can be as clever as he was last summer."

Taylor and former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini also spoke about the balance between the Black Cats being able to offer regular football to potential transfer targets, while also being a possible "stepping stone" to another club if they are successful at Sunderland.

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above

It is "inevitable" that some of Sunderland's star players will be linked with other clubs this summer but the Black Cats "hold the upper hand" when it comes to their futures at the Stadium of Light, says BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes.

Striker Brian Brobbey was linked with German giants Bayern Munich earlier this week, while goalkeeper Robin Roefs is another player whose impressive performances this term have led to transfer speculation.

"All these players signed five-year deals so the club hold the upper hand in terms of not having to sell," said Barnes. "Brobbey doesn't have to go anywhere and nor does Robin Roefs if they decide they don't want anybody to leave.

"They do have that strength in giving those long deals and it underlines just how good of a job they did recruitment-wise. The only thing you can argue is that if a player becomes aware of interest from abroad, does it unsettle them?

"In theory, Sunderland hold the upper hand because those players signed long-term deals and if - and it's a big if - Sunderland were to reach Europe as well this season, that's another incentive for them not to leave.

"There are lots of ifs and buts and obviously lots of speculation and rumours."

Listen to the full discussion above or on BBC Sounds here

You can also hear more about how Brobbey came to Sunderland on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip below

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Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.

Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.

It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.

Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?

Make your selection

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes Brian Brobbey's all-action displays at the top of the pitch are "good value" and the fans at the Stadium of Light "love him".

Reflecting on the Dutch striker's performance in Sunday's win against Spurs, Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Some of the moments in the game were fantastic. He was getting really heated and wound up, and I thought [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] Van de Ven didn't know what to do with him at times and didn't defend him very well."

However, Gabbiadini believes the forward was "petulant" when he pushed Romero into Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal as the Argentine defender tried to shield the ball back to the box. There were calls for the striker, who had already been cautioned, to receive a second yellow card.

"I thought it was a bit petty, actually," Gabbiadini said. "A bit petulant from him. I thought he put the team at risk because he could've easily got another yellow for that. It was one of them games where he got a little bit too wound up.

"I think he might be better getting away from the contact in a way, stepping to the side or trying to get the other side of the defender, so he can't see him and then pop in front of him."

• Listen to Sunderland audio from BBC Radio Newcastle

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Sunderland are now just two points off sixth in the Premier League and I can hardly believe the direction that our season has taken.

The win over Spurs feels significant. I can't lie, I was worried that Roberto de Zerbi would bring a new manager bounce, but they looked just as poor as they have all season and I think that was in large part to do with how well Sunderland played. If we had lost, I probably would have been doubting our credentials, but the victory means we are firmly in the race for European football.

And why would anyone doubt us? We have momentum and, importantly, no fear. That makes us extremely dangerous in this race, as many of the other teams absolutely need to achieve a European finish. Our players are not scared of anyone and given the way the past few years have gone for us, I would not be surprised if we keep up the pace right until the final day.

What should we do next week at Villa, then? I think more of the same - give the type of performance that we gave at Leeds and Newcastle, where we were horrible to play against and really improved in the final third.

Villa are not playing well at the moment and I suspect Unai Emery would much rather not be playing Sunderland, and I think that's probably the attitude of a lot of clubs right now.

Are we one of the most horrible teams to play in the Premier League right now, with our athletic, aggressive, fast-paced style of football?

Yes - and I absolutely love it!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

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Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says the Black Cats' mantra of "keeping going and making it to 40 points" this season is credit to head coach Regis le Bris and his players.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle following Sunderland's 1-0 win over Tottenham at the Stadium of Light, Bennett said: "It was a fantastic result yet again. It is a big three points.

"We have just got to look forward to the next six games now, let's see where they take us. We keep surprising people, don't we?

"Tottenham looked good at times but it isn't just about looking good, it's also about getting results.

"From Sunderland's point of view, it is another clean sheet and another three points. Who knows what could happen from here?

"I remember all the talk about maybe needing 40 points for survival this season. However, we did say it would be enough when we got to 33 points.

"But it is credit to the manager and the players because we kept going and made it to 40 points to guarantee our safety.

"Now we're wondering if we can push on and maybe get another six or nine points [in the remaining games]. Imagine where that would take us!"

Listen to the full post-match chat on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Adrian: Three points off fifth and a Champions League slot. Who'd have predicted that this time last year?

Robert: Another Superb performance by this young Sunderland side. Regis le Bris is, in my opinion, a good candidate for manager/head coach of the season. He has built a virtually new team in his debut Premier League campaign. He has developed a wonderful team spirit and togetherness that is excellent. Magnificent results have come thick and fast. I could not be happier. Ha'way the lads. And I'm feeling "Glad All Over" as it's the song the Crystal Palace fans sing when they score a goal and win.

Stephen: More proof that we need an "out-and-out" goalscorer. We created many more chances than Spurs yet our only goal came from a deflection.

Graham: Not the best this season but, as always, a team performance and Granit Xhaka pulling the strings - as usual.

Tottenham fans

Peter: A much better performance. Chances created but lack of quality upfront meant they weren't taken. I would like to have seen more urgency towards the end. You don't play your way out of the bottom three. As for the goal, one of those conceded by team at the bottom. We deserved a point, but that's not how football works. Still hope, three wins a minimum. COYS.

Colin: Listless. Boring. Pathetic. Big mistake not playing Xavi Simons until 95th minute. So many under performing players. Play the under-21s' side next week.

Roger: In the days when we had Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son consistently contributing over 30 goals a season we could afford to concede a few goals and still pick up the points. Unfortunately, they have been replace by very expensive flops when it comes to scoring. Likewise in midfield we have never come close to replacing the quality of Christian Eriksen, Dele Ali and Mousa Dembele. That is why we are where we are and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. Against Sunderland confirmed that hard work and effort alone will not be enough, we are going to have to rely on a lot of good luck if we are to avoid relegation.

Jeremy: I have been a fan of Tottenham since 1968 when my grandfather first took me to White Hart Lane at the age of five. Outside of the money these players get and the status it affords, where's their pride in playing for Spurs? They should be ashamed of themselves. Spurs is an iconic club and deserves to stay in the Premier League but these players don't. It doesn't matter how gifted they are individually, they are poor as a team. This is not the manager's fault. This is the responsibility of the players.

Pundits Pat Nevin and Ben Foster join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle United

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa

• Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham

• Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Sunderland started this campaign as Premier League newcomers, with many predicting they would make a swift return to the Championship.

Instead The Black Cats, under the shrewd leadership of Regis le Bris, have not only survived but flourished as they sit in the top 10 and worthy of mention in the conversation about European qualification.

Sunderland were by far the better side here, only undermined by so many poor decisions in attacking situations that prevented them giving the scoreline a more emphatic appearance.

At the heart of it all was 33-year-old Granit Xhaka, an inspired summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, who is the glue that gels this Sunderland side together.

Xhaka rarely wastes a pass, is always available, and gives off an air of calm and experience that is vital.

Sunderland saw off Spurs in relative comfort to continue their superb season.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's the Premier League and we expected a tough opponent in difficult situations. It was a must-win for them and we did well with good energy. It was really important to have our principles and we found a way to score which was still important."

On Sunderland's goals: "We want to improve our style of play, we still want to enforce our ideas and we still have room for improvement in the final third. Top 10 is a good aim and we have to be consistent. The most important is the improvement."

On next season: "We will prepare next season with the way we play now. After three weeks it was a difficult game and I was a bit worried because you never know what can happen. The lads were consistent and for me that is the next layer."

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, speaking to Sky Sports about his side's win: "After four weeks of not being at home, it was so important to give the fans what they needed. We knew before the season that we can beat everyone if we stay like this with the hunger and desire and take the three points."

On facing Spurs with a new manager: "Not the first time we are playing against a team who have changed manager. He [Roberto de Zerbi] has the mentality to win but we knew what we had to do and it was nearly a perfect game."

On Sunderland pushing for Europe: "Before the season, nobody expected us to be where we are. When I signed it was 2% chance of us staying up and now it is over 100%. Give this football club respect. We stay humble and see what we can do until the end."

On whether he is surprised about Spurs being in the relegation zone: "It's not my job to speak about Spurs. I am not a Spurs player. I look after these boys and this football club. We look after ourselves and let's see where we get to."

Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele also spoke to Sky Sports, about his goal: "In football you have to take a chance and that's what I did. I took the shot and it went in so I am really happy for the performance of the team. The energy is very important after we lost three games in a row. We were at home, it was our tempo and our rules.

"We started very strong and the season is very long. We deserve where we are today because we work hard. Now is a bonus and now we have six games to show where we are. We have to stay humble."

You can listen to Le Bris and Robin Roefs on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Sunderland kept their sixth clean sheet at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season, with only Arsenal (8) and Manchester City (7) keeping more at home in the competition this season. Their 14 goals conceded at home is again bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester City (both 11).

• Sunderland have beaten Tottenham Hotspur for the first time in the Premier League since 3rd April 2010, a run of 15 games without a win.

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 Tottenham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Sunderland make four changes from the side that won at Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby.

Robin Roefs returns in goal in place of Melker Ellborg, while Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo and Enzo Le Fee replace Lutsharel Geetruida, Trai Hume and Chemsidine Talbi.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Alderete, O'Nien, Mandava, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra, Rigg, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Geertruida, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Hume, H Jones, J Jones

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Porro, Gray, Bergvall, Gallagher, Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Solanke.

Subs: Austin, Dragusin, Danso, Palhinha, Simons, Bissouma, Tel, Spence, Sarr.

Image source, BBC Sport

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

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle United - Listen on Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa - Listen on Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Tottenham - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Manchester City (16:30 BST) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 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 Sunderland v Tottenham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Manchester City".

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

What's Roberto de Zerbi going to do with Tottenham and how will he set them up?

I've read about when he went in at Brighton and how Lewis Dunk said it took the Seagulls players a while to get up to speed and adapt to his demands.

The whole situation is just odd, with De Zerbi securing a five-year contract despite only hanging around for more than two years at one of his previous eight clubs.

Good luck to him, but this is a difficult place for him to start.

Sunderland's form at the Stadium of Light has dipped a bit since they lost their unbeaten home record against Liverpool in February, but the Black Cats will be buoyant after beating Newcastle last time out.

If Spurs are going to play the type of football we associate with De Zerbi, they will be open, expansive and take risks - but will they have the confidence to do that?

Sunderland are the team that come into this game with belief. They've had a brilliant season and their incentive now must be to stay above Newcastle in the table.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur make the trip north to Sunderland on Sunday. BBC Sport explores some of the key talking points surrounding this fixture.

All eyes will be on the dugout at the Stadium of Light this weekend as Tottenham's latest head coach attempts to save his new club from a disastrous relegation with only seven games of the season remaining.

"I have a big responsibility," admitted Roberto de Zerbi, who has signed a five-year contract with no relegation release clause. "For me, Tottenham, especially in this moment, is maybe the most important challenge in my career."

One of the many necessary steps towards securing safety for the Italian and his coaching staff will be to inject belief in a side lacking confidence and he will need to quickly bring an end to their 13-game winless streak in the league (D5, L8) – the club's worst run for 91 years.

The 46-year-old can perhaps lean on the fact that Spurs have been significantly better away in the Premier League than at home, with 20 of their 30 points coming on the road.

Does De Zerbi need time?

Some of the conversation around the Italian's appointment has centred on his propensity for slow starts, with time apparently needed to convey his methods to a new group of players, something that Spurs don't have. But at his past four clubs he has largely hit the ground running and he was victorious in his first league match with Sassuolo, Shakhtar Donetsk and Marseille.

The obvious anomaly is Brighton where, not only did he take over in mid-season, but he also failed to win any of his opening five in charge. He did, however, accrue eight points from his first seven games on the south coast and if that form were replicated in his current role it would likely ensure Tottenham's top-flight survival.

An average of 36 points has been enough to stay up since the Premier League switched to a 38-game season in 1995-96. The necessary total stands at 33 points across the past 10 seasons. By that yardstick, one win would potentially be enough for De Zerbi, but even with a victory this weekend his work will be far from done.

Record in reach for Sunderland?

Sunderland achieved the magical 40-point mark with victory over Leeds United in early March and, unlike Tottenham, their top-flight status is all but assured for another year.

Regis le Bris's side can now set their sights on setting a new club record for most points in a Premier League season. They require another 16 to surpass the previous highest total set by Peter Reid's men in 1999-2000. Unlikely given there are 21 points remaining, but not impossible.

Sunderland have endured a dismal recent record against Tottenham in the top flight and they are winless in 15 previous meetings (D5, L10) since a 3-1 home victory in April 2010. Four of their five Premier League victories over the north London club have come at the Stadium of Light, including a memorable 1-0 triumph on the opening day of the 2007-08 season.

Michael Chopra scored a later winner for Roy Keane's newly promoted side that day and the win proved to be very important, as the Wearside club finished just three points above the relegation zone, while Spurs placed 11th. The opposite could well be true at the conclusion of 2025-26.

Tasnim Chowdhury
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 14:00 BST).

You can listen to his comments by hitting play above or here on BBC Sounds.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed Jocelin Ta Bi, Romaine Mundle, Bertrand Traore and Simon Moore will not be available for Sunday. Daniel Ballard and Nilson Angulo are close to returning but will not be ready for Spurs. "The rest of the group are available."

• He added that, because of their position in the league, he will not be taking risks with his team: "Sometimes you might think that you can take risks but, if the player gets a new injury, it might take a long time after the second injury [to return], so we didn't rush the process often. It won't be the case for Ballard or Nilson in this situation as well."

• On the possibility of his team playing in Europe: "I don't know. Two seasons ago when I first started here, going to the Premier League was too early. We didn't set any goals but we said we will work hard, we will work for our identity. For this season, it is the same. If it is possible, we are ready to achieve the goal. We will see and then we will manage the next goal."

• Although there is no outside pressure on Sunderland, he said there is "internal pressure" to keep up performances: "We want to win again at home because we struggled a bit in the last sequence. It's about our standards. The main goal of the season is probably achieved and it's easy to forget this wasn't easy. We showed togetherness and quality. We want to keep the standards."

• Asked about midfielder Chris Rigg, Le Bris responded: "He's still young, but he showed exactly what we are talking about - great character, consistency and resilience. He's a great symbol of what we want to develop here. The league is so demanding, you need a strong team and you need great characters on the pitch. He is one of those."

• On facing Spurs: "Tottenham are a big club but they have struggled to generate momentum this season and you never know how you create this vicious circle of injuries, efficiency, doubts. It means that this league is unforgiving, really demanding, it is hard to break. They have good quality but when you have doubt it is hard."

• On their new boss Roberto de Zerbi: "He is a great coach, has strong experience, good ideas and a clear identity. He will be the best version of Roberto de Zerbi if he is himself, not someone else. So I think he will go all the way and it will be interesting. Performance in football is complex. It's often a question of confidence, belief. The psychology Is important. Probably the most important thing is to implement this belief."

Listen to commentary of Sunderland v Tottenham on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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

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The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Sunderland fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: LLDWLW

The next three league fixtures are: Tottenham (h), Aston Villa (a) and Nottingham Forest (h)

Let us know how you're feeling here