Sunderland’s 17 factors to date is essentially the most from a promoted aspect since Hull Metropolis in 2008-09 (20)
After two successive years of the promoted sides failing to impress within the Premier League, the present crop of groups are impressively bucking the development.
Each Leeds and Burnley have already proven they’re up for the battle towards relegation after every profitable three video games out of 9 to date – however the highest reward is rightfully going to Championship play-off winners Sunderland.
Simply 5 months after Tommy Watson’s dramatic stoppage-time winner towards Sheffield United at Wembley – and a few seven years since dropping right down to League One – the Black Cats are actually flying excessive in fourth within the prime flight, with one other late winner at Chelsea arguably their most spectacular but of their 5 victories to date.
Their success underneath Regis Le Bris has had many questioning how far their very good kind can take them this season. 101GreatGoals breaks down the explanations for his or her good begin.
Eye-catching switch window
A lot was made from Sunderland’s busy switch window which noticed them overhaul the squad with 14 new signings however it’s trying extra spectacular because the weeks go on.
The likes of Nordi Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida, Robin Roefs, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey all stood out through the win at Chelsea and look well-versed for English soccer.
Whereas none of them had prior Premier League expertise, they’ve all featured within the Champions League earlier than and are exhibiting their high quality underneath the steerage of Le Bris.
It’s uncommon to see so many gamers impressing so shortly for a brand new aspect – notably for a promoted staff – so plenty of credit score has to go to the Sunderland boss and the broader workers for serving to them mattress in so shortly.
The Xhaka impact
One arrival that has Premier League expertise in abundance is Granit Xhaka, who’s staking a robust declare for the signing of the summer season following his shock arrival to the North-East from Bayer Leverkusen.
The previous Arsenal captain is unquestionably one other key purpose why so many gamers have settled into the aspect so shortly, with the Switzerland worldwide appearing as Le Bris’ lietenant on the sector, offering the instance for his team-mates to observe.
His efficiency at Stamford Bridge has been described as a “midfield masterclass”, finishing extra tackles than some other participant (4), additionally profitable six out of seven duels and never committing a foul.
Xhaka brings the kind of expertise that so few promoted groups have and it’s making an enormous distinction in what’s one other testomony to the Sunderland recriutment staff.
Defensive solidity
So many Championship groups come up and attempt to proceed taking part in an expansive type towards superior opposition and so usually get came upon – however the basis of Sunderland’s success is their defensive solidity.
Daniel Ballard – one of many heroes of their promotion – stole most of the headlines towards Chelsea with seven clearances nevertheless it was the system deployed by Le Bris that annoyed the Blues.
In the meantime, with Omar Alderete sidelined, Le Bris handed Geertruida his first begin, deploying the adaptable Dutchman as a 3rd centre-back when Sunderland have been out of possession.
Nordi Mukiele moved wider to the fitting to cowl Trai Hume’s advances into midfield as soon as the ball was regained.
The complicated system was not straightforward to hold out, however Sunderland’s gamers executed it completely – irritating a aspect who had gained their earlier 4 video games prior and scoring 11 objectives.
Few groups survive the drop with out a good defence – Sunderland actually have that in abundance and it has them dreaming of objectives a lot loftier than surviving relegation.
