Sunderland

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle Sunderland commentator

Image source, Getty Images

It's the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Sunderland and it's even bigger weekend for the city's football club, who on Sunday face Chelsea in a match that IF they win and the results at Liverpool or Brighton - or indeed both - go their way, could be playing European football for the first time in 53 years.

The tantalising prospect of a Conference League final in Istanbul, or even a Europa League final in Frankfurt, would have seemed idiotic if the idea had been mooted to Sunderland fans last summer after the exultation of their dramatic Championship play-off final win.

Finishing 17th was the only thing on most fans' minds. Now, though, every conversation with a Sunderland supporter begins with talk of qualifying for Europe.

Chelsea, of course, stand in their way, the current holders of the Conference League title. But, Sunderland have a tendency to keep going 'til the end and in front of a sell-out crowd at the Stadium of Light, which will be rocking on the final afternoon of the season, you can't write off Regis le Bris' team.

Despite Chelsea's superior record at the Stadium of Light, the stark fact is just one point separates the two teams and, with Le Bris' side showing an intensity and energy in recent weeks, you would not rule out an urgent review of passport expiry dates and a reappraisal of a European map long left to gather dust in the loft.

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Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, meaning they will either qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.

At present, sixth and seventh will qualify for Uefa's second-tier competition because of Manchester City winning the FA Cup and England winning one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS).

If English clubs get six Champions League spots, they will lose a Europa League spot in exchange. That would mean only seventh place would qualify for the Europa League.

Brighton are currently seventh and have a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford, the two teams directly below them.

A win for the Seagulls would guarantee them Europa League football at least.

If Brighton fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Anfield.

Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven. For that to happen, they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.

What about Conference League qualification?

It is a similar story in qualification for the one place available for the play-off qualifying round of next season's Conference League.

Chelsea are in eighth and currently possess that available spot. Eighth place qualifies for the Conference League because of City winning the EFL Cup and the EPS to an English club.

Chelsea will secure European football in at least the Conference League with a win over Sunderland.

Brentford will secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea's result.

Sunderland in 10th would leapfrog both if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.

Sunderland will finish above Chelsea if they win this and that would hardly count as a surprise.

The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football.

That is what Chelsea are playing for too, after that run of six straight league defeats saw them fall away from the Champions League places.

Chelsea got a good win over Tottenham on Tuesday but I am expecting this to be close, and I can see it ending up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland and Chelsea collide on the final day with plenty on the line. The Black Cats are chasing a European spot, while Chelsea are desperate to sign off on a high after a disappointing season.

Sunderland eye European breakthrough

Sunderland's season has already exceeded expectations. Promoted via last year's play offs, they sit 10th and still have a chance of climbing to seventh. Victory would take them to 54 points and move them above Chelsea and potentially securing European football next season.

Their 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge in October remains one of the standout results of their campaign.

Completing a first league double over Chelsea since 2000–01 would underline the progress made under Regis Le Bris, who has been shortlisted for the manager of the season awards.

Resilience has been a defining feature. Sunderland have recovered 22 points from losing positions — the most in the Premier League — and that ability to stay in matches was evident again in their 3–1 win at Everton last weekend.

Another victory would give them back to back league wins for only the third time this season.

They are also only the fifth promoted side in the past 16 years to reach the 50 point mark, joining Wolves, Sheffield United, Leeds and Fulham.

Final days have not always been kind to Sunderland, though. They have won just one of their 16 previous Premier League season finales.

Chelsea look to finish with momentum

Chelsea's 2–1 win over Tottenham on Tuesday ended a run of seven league matches without a victory. It offered a glimpse of improvement in a season marked by inconsistency and managerial change.

Xabi Alonso will not be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, but the incoming manager will be watching closely as he assesses the squad he inherits.

For now, Chelsea have the chance to record consecutive league wins for the first time since early in the year.

Their record away at Sunderland is strong, with just one defeat in their last 13 league visits.

Individual performances have also shown signs of progress: Enzo Fernandez is enjoying his most productive Premier League campaign, while João Pedro has been directly involved in seven goals across his last nine appearances.

BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend is in full motion!

Sunderland's Herrington Country Park is hosting the annual three-day event, so we asked you to choose one Black Cats player - past or present - to be your festival plus-one.

Here are some of your picks:

Simon: Jermain Defoe. He has been at a few clubs in his time, so must have a few dance moves and know some initiation songs.

Jake: Which Sunderland player would I like to take to Radio 1's Big Weekend? Nordic Musickele!

Dave: I don't know which player I would pick, but if I had to pick a song to be played it would be Sultans Of Swing by Dire Straits. It reminds me of moving down south in 1982 and it was on my first bought mixtape. It was on my Walkman in 1983 and on my car cassette the same afternoon I passed my test in 1984.

Follow all the action for this year's Big Weekend in Sunderland on BBC Sounds, just download the app and listen live to Radio 1 wherever you go.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League finale against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• They will make "a late decision" on defender Omar Alderete, while winger Chemsdine Talbi won't be available after picking up a muscle injury this week.

• He said it is "impressive" that they are even in the position to qualify for Europe as a newly promoted side, but it's because they have "played good football, we grew, we learned and we improved".

• On it being the final game of the season: "I'm really proud of the last part of the season. It's even too early to finish because I feel every day in the training sessions, in the mood in the dressing room, that we still want to play football together."

• He said they "expected tough periods" in the campaign, but when they had those the team "stayed consistent" in their coaching methods and this helped them overcome them with "stability".

• On there still being something to play for: "We want to play all the way until the last minute. After that, we'll see the outcome of the season, but at least it's already [been] a fantastic season and it could be even better with three more points."

• He said they won't be following Brentford and Brighton's games "directly", but laughed as he said it will be "passive" from "in the stands" and supporters.

• On opponents Chelsea: "A really strong opponent. We can't underestimate Chelsea - it's impossible. They have game-changers and talent everywhere on the pitch, so we'll have to play our best football and hope it's enough."

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

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

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

If you're looking for something to get you in the groove before Sunderland's final Premier League game of the season, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend has you covered.

The annual three-day festival will take to Sunderland's Herrington Country Park, which is just a 14-minute drive from the Stadium of Light, with chart-toppers Fatboy Slim, Olivia Dean and Zara Larsson ready to take to the stage.

BBC Radio 1's Maia Beth has been spinning back-to-back north east anthems to warm-up to the ultimate 'Big Weekend' for sport and music fans. What's not to like!

To hear the 30-minute mix listen on BBC Sounds

But all of this chat has us wondering: which Black Cats player - past or present - would you take as your festival plus-one?

Let us know your pick and your reasoning here

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris' efforts to ensure all of his first-team players have a "very strong bond" is "no mean achievement", says BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes.

If the Black Cats win their final fixture of the season and results elsewhere go in their favour, they could secure European football for next season, despite only winning promotion to the Premier League from the Championship last term.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Barnes said: "It is interesting to see the spirit in this team, especially considering what they have forged [in these past few campaigns].

"For example, Simon Adingra went out on loan earlier this season and you just got the impression he didn't fit into the culture.

"There is obviously a very strong bond amongst the players, and I think the club will continue to do their due diligence on all incoming players to make sure they will integrate [into the current squad].

"Bearing in mind the number of countries that are represented in Sunderland's dressing room as well, being able to integrate everybody is no mean achievement."

Hear the full conversation by pressing play above or listen on BBC Sounds

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes Enzo Le Fee is an "almost perfect player" at Premier League level because of his ability on the ball, as well as his workrate off it.

Le Fee helped his side take all three points with a goal against Everton on Sunday, keeping the Black Cats in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe on the last day of the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "He's not surprised me at all. Last season, when he came in, you could tell he had that quality and that calmness.

"When he gets the ball, he does things so quickly, like when he set up [Brian] Brobbey with that through ball. The ball goes to him and, as a player, you sort of have this sometimes when things slow down. It used to happen to me as a striker. You feel the ball comes to you and it goes in slow motion, but you're doing things very quickly and Le Fee's the same. He gets the ball, his first touch is always perfect, so his second touch is making the pass and he's very clever.

"He was a surprise signing last January for a player who had a big move to Roma, it hadn't quite worked out for him and we really, really capitalised on it. When we got promoted, I think it was one of the first things that people looked at was that we had a clause that we'd definitely sign him for this season.

"Right from the start of the season, I said I think he's the player you have to get in the side whatever way you can.

"He's not the biggest, he probably bucks the trend of the Premier League right now with big physical players, but class on the ball trumps that every time.

"He has the work rate, he has the tenacity, he wins headers and he wins tackles, so he has that as well, which makes him almost the perfect player at this level."

Listen to the full clip above or on BBC Sounds and find more Sunderland content here

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday's trip to take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium was probably one of my favourite away days.

The sun was shining, the Guinness was flowing and Sunderland turned up once again when it mattered most.

We have recovered more points from losing positions than any other Premier League team, demonstrating the incredible mentality of our squad in adversity.

Despite going behind against the run of play just before half-time, we came out in the second period even more determined to succeed, and we got the job done because of a fantastic team effort.

Three goals, three points and a week to prepare for one of the biggest games in our history - a face-off at the Stadium of Light with Chelsea where, if we win and results go our way, we could finish inside the top eight and qualify for Europe.

Now we have to get ready. There's a big team effort required to ensure that the fans and the players work in unison so that, come full-time, we know we've done all we can to reach that goal.

Hey, we might not qualify even if we do win, but all we can do is hope for the best.

This has been an unbelievable season and, as I wrote a few weeks ago, I wouldn't write Sunderland off just yet.

We're capable of the sublime... and the ridiculous!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Netherlands centre-back Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, is keen to continue playing in the Premier League next season amid interest from Everton. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Sunderland "staying true to their principles" has been key to a fine season that has taken them to the verge of European football.

In their return to the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, the Black Cats go into the final day with a chance of playing in Europe for the first time since 1973.

"Fantastic, a really great story," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"I've had to deal with so many conversations about how the Premier League is too strong now for teams coming up from the Championship - the three that come up go down, and I've always been against that.

"I've always felt that it's the identity that the teams that come up have. Some of these teams when they get into the Premier League change and suddenly try and act all Hollywood instead of sticking with what got them there and trying to evolve from there.

"That is what Sunderland did. They recruited lots of players with experience, they went in there with no fear, stayed true to their principles, and didn't try and play total football and act like they've been in the Premier league forever.

"You have to earn the right and they have earned the right and the season they have had has been absolutely amazing. That should give hope to other teams who come up to say, 'you can achieve that if you do the right footballing things with the right footballing principles'."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland still have a chance of European qualification, but regardless it is important not to forget the incredible season they have had in their first season back in the Premier League since 2016-17.

The Black Cats have become just the fifth out of 48 promoted sides to reach 50 points in the last 16 years - after Wolves in 2018-19, Sheffield United in 2019-20, Leeds in 2020-21 and Fulham in 2022-23.

Regis Le Bris' side are just the fourth play-off winners ever to reach 50 points - and the first for 20 years after Blackburn in 1992-93 (62 points in a 42-game season), Ipswich in 2000-01 (66) and West Ham in 2005-06 (55).

Only one of the previous 11 sides that came up via the play-offs reached the 40-point mark, never mind 50! (Brentford won 46 points in 2021-22)

Le Bris' side have won the most points from losing positions in the Premier League this season (22).

Sunday's win at Everton is the 10th time they've come from behind to take something in a game.

Leeds could also reach 50 points - if they win at West Ham on the final day, we'd see two promoted sides reach 50 points in a single season for just the 3rd time in Premier League history - after Ipswich (66) and Charlton (52) in 2000-01 and West Ham (55) and Wigan (51) in 2005-06.

This is your Sunderland page. Come back for news, fan opinions, audio and more.

Tom Gayle MOTD Commentator at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Whether or not Sunderland's season ends with European football being secured, it's been a standout campaign which will live long in the memory.

How many people, especially after the dramatic Championship play-off final victory almost 12 months ago, could have predicted Sunderland would go on to clock over 50 points in their return to the top flight, following an eight year absence? Not many.

One of those select few was Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. A win at home this Sunday against Chelsea will see the Black Cats achieve his long-stated ambition of a top-10 finish.

For me the team's standout trait has been their resilience. Turning losing positions into points has been a consistent theme. Their victory at Hill Dickinson is the fifth time they come from behind to win a league game this season, with three of those coming on the road. Great entertainment for any neutral, but it must be a nerve shredding watch at times for their own supporters.

Some 28 of Sunderland's league goals have been scored in the second half, which equates to a whopping 70% of their overall total of 40. On route to beating Everton, Jordan Pickford's first save didn't come until the 48th minute. They appear to be living up to the adage of "it takes us a half to get going".

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

David: Lacklustre, poor and we got what we deserved. That's on the players. Team selection and an inability to change or manage games is on Moyes. Stop picking our third and fourth choice centre-backs who concede two goals a game. Stop playing our second choice centre-back at right-back. He is not comfortable in that position? Start to play on the front foot instead of defending 0-0. I am Moyes out. The Friedkin Group should show some ambition and get Iraola.

Peter: The whole squad and management should apologise to Seamus Coleman for such an inept performance. If Mr Moyes thinks that a performance like that was nip and tuck he needs to take a look from my seat. O'Brien was gone after five minutes and many others looked exhausted. At half time subs needed to be made. Alcaraz, George, Patterson all would have injected pace and enthusiasm into a dire team performance! Back to the Moyes of old, I'm afraid.

Anne-Marie: A lacklustre effort from the beginning from a poor Everton team with careless passing throughout. The best effort and skill came from Dewsbury-Hall but Sunderland had control of the game throughout.

Ron: So disappointing for the last home game of the season, no spark in the team apart from Rohl and Garner.

Sunderland fans

Nigel: A great result but would be better not continually passing across the front of their own goal where they are prone to error. Reinildo was great and O'Nien was solid. Great goals late on as usual to clinch another three points!

Ray: Great second half. Aamazing season, manager of the year, team of the decade!!!

Peter: Sunderland were brilliant and if they could only add a killer touch to their play they would have won more comfortably. Luke O'Nien and Mukiele were solid at the back and Xhaka was superb again in midfield. If we can add a bit of quality to our front line, I think we'll be sure of another great season next year.

Craig: Some fans don't want us to get into Europe because we may not be ready. Forget that, let's do what we can to do and worry about being ready if we get there. Why would we turn Europe down?

Chelsea are targeting a keeper and are seriously considering a move for Sunderland's 23-year-old Dutchman Robin Roefs. (Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Dion Dublin and Mark Schwarzer join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday's and Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leeds 1-0 Burnley

• Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace

• Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien said he's "very proud" of the team following their big win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The 3-1 victory sees Regis le Bris' side have a chance of qualifying for Europe in their first season back in the Premier League following promotion last season.

You can listen to the full interview above or on BBC Sounds

Find more audio content on Sunderland here

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

What a dream season it has been for Regis le Bris' Sunderland side on their return to the top flight for the first time since dropping out of the Premier League in 2016-17.

They then fell from the Championship and had a four-year spell in League One, but now are potentially 90 minutes from securing European football.

Sunderland's win, which takes them above Everton, leaves them ninth, one point behind Brentford in eighth and two points behind Brighton in seventh, although Chelsea in 10th have a game on the Black Cats.

With Manchester City beating Chelsea 1-0 in Saturday's FA Cup final, that means seventh in the Premier League would qualify for the Europa League, with eighth place going into the Conference League.

Sunderland's season has already seen them gain home and away wins over fierce rivals Newcastle and they have also beaten Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

They have not been in the top nine in English football since 2000-01, when they came seventh.

What an occasion it promises to be at the Stadium of Light next Sunday when they entertain Chelsea.