Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to Sky Sports: "The first half was OK, not bad, but we didn't threaten the opponent's defence enough and conceded a goal on a set piece. Second half more ambitious, taking more risks and the subs helped. It was the most important statement at this stage in the season, that the group is still a unit. It's never easy, two games before the end to keep everyone aligned but this was the case. So I'm really pleased by the subs as well.

"We are becoming ambitious. It's reality now because we have one more game and we have the opportunity to achieve something really special. Now it's just a final and we'll see.

"It's the club and the team, the staff and the direction we are really well-aligned. It makes a difference at the end so I'm proud of that.

"Our fans were loud today so I imagine they will be louder next week. They deserve it, they are always really supportive. We have highs and lows and they were still behind us. I hope that we can enjoy the last fixture at home."

Message to players before next week? "Consistency, standards and ready to be competitive. You have to manage the expected and also the unexpected. If you are ready and prepare well you give yourself the best chance to be successful. Consistency, team work and connections."

Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fee speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We just said we played well in the first half but the last 30 metres we were a bit quiet. We needed more fire and I think we did well. The guys who came on had a perfect attitude and this is the team, the family we have had since the beginning of the season. We can be proud.

"The second goal, and even the third, can be the game. The reaction in the second half was perfect but after the first goal we kept going. That's the most important thing.

"Nobody likes defeat. Our strength is to be together in the good moments and the bad ones as well. What we did all season is always react in a good way and we did it after the first half today. We can be proud of us. At the beginning of the season we said we have to be a family and a team."

On goal celebration: "Since I was young, I liked Spiderman, my favourite hero. That's why and with my little brother so it's a sign for him. I should've done the celebration a long time ago but I didn't score. A good moment so I was happy to score in front of our fans."

On push for European football: "We want the best for this team always and we did well. We should be in a better position today because we had some games we should win as well but it wasn't the case. We can be proud. We keep working hard as we have all season. One more final to play at home against Chelsea. A good game to finish the season."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have gained more points from losing positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (22), while it's the Black Cats' most across a single campaign in the competition.

• Brian Brobbey has scored seven goals across 30 Premier League appearances this season – the most by a Sunderland player in their debut top-flight campaign with the club since Fabio Borini in 2013-14 (also seven).

• Sunderland's Chris Rigg provided his very first assist in the Premier League – becoming the youngest ever player to do so for the Black Cats in the competition (18y 333d).

Listen to more from Le Bris on BBC Radio Newcastle here

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Everton are unchanged from their last game, a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace a week ago.

That means Seamus Coleman, who will be playing his last home game for the Toffees at the end of a 17-year spell with the club, is only among the substitutes.

Everton XI: Pickford, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Garner, Iroegbunam, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl, Beto.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, Coleman, Dibling, Alcaraz, Armstrong, McNeil, Barry, George.

Sunderland make one change from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Manchester United on 9 May as Nilson Angulo comes in for Chemsdine Talbi, who is on the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mandava, Alderete, Geertruida, Mukiele, Sadiki, Xhaka, Angulo, Le Fee, Hume, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Rigg, O'Nien, Diarra, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Ta Bi.

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

• Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

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

• Everton v Sunderland

• Leeds v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Fulham

• Newcastle v West Ham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 15:00 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 Leeds v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v West Ham", for instance.

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

These sides are both in mid-table, and they have both gone a few weeks without winning now.

Performance-wise, they have not been terrible, but their results have tailed off a bit.

Everton have shipped a few goals recently, though and I can see David Moyes wanting them to get back to keeping a clean sheet.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Everton take on Sunderland in their final home game of the season with both sides still harbouring faint hopes of European qualification.

Everton's 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend felt like two points dropped instead of one point gained, not only because they led twice at Selhurst Park, but because they lost ground in the race for European qualification.

"It's amazing that we are actually talking about Everton possibly being in Europe with two games to go – and we're not out of it yet," said manager David Moyes last Sunday. "[But] it's getting tougher every game we're not winning."

The Toffees' last Premier League victory came almost two months ago at home against Chelsea and Moyes is right – their current run of five top-flight games without a win (D3, L2) could cost them a place in a continental competition next season.

The Blues have already surpassed last season's points tally of 48 and probably need to another six to that total if they are to stand a decent chance of securing European football at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the 2026-27 campaign.

Garner going the distance

Striker Beto may have scored five times in his past five games, but usual midfielder and occasional full-back James Garner has arguably been Everton's player of the season.

The 25-year-old was rewarded for his consistent performances with a first England call-up in March and still has a chance of making Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.

Garner is one of six outfield players to start all 36 Premier League games this season and he also scored when Everton faced Sunderland in the FA Cup back in January.

Black Cats eye Europe

Like their opponents this weekend, European qualification is no longer in Sunderland's hands. However, they still have a very slim chance of reaching the Europa League or Europa Conference League but would almost certainly require maximum points from their final two games and other results go their way.

The Black Cats almost took all three points from their game against Manchester United last Saturday, and they were in the ascendancy for most of their fixture, but in the end they were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.

"We probably created enough chances to win the game, but chances don't always mean goals," said head coach Regis Le Bris after that result. "If we're disappointed at home after a draw against [Manchester] United, it is a good sign for the club."

Bragging rights on the line

Europe aside, the opportunity to finish above Newcastle United provides further incentive for a strong end to the campaign.

It is a feat that the Wearside club last achieved in 2015-16 when their local rivals slipped into the Championship.

Sam Allardyce was in charge 10 years ago and his side sealed their Premier League survival and relegated both Norwich and Newcastle with a comprehensive 3-0 victory in their penultimate game. Their opponents that day where Everton.

Ella Gibbs
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris was nominated for manager of the season and said he was "very proud" of the achievement and that it was "for the club and for the staff and the players"

• He explained: "It's a collective achievement. No mater the result it highlights the quality of the group and the season overall. The Premier League is a rollercoaster with highs and lows but at the end of the season I think this kind of recognition is very important for us."

Listen to Marco Gabbiadini, Nick Barnes and Simon Pryde discuss Le Bris' nomination on BBC Radio Newcastle below or here on BBC Sounds

• On this season's success he said: "It's always hard because we are already in the next game and the next season. But we will probably have a week to appreciate this moment and after that go again with new goals, new problems, new opportunities because it is our life."

• When asked to reflect on last week's game against Manchester United he said: "I'm really pleased by this end of the season, even if we didn't win we created three big chances, conceded only one at the end. We showed improvements in many areas. Still strong out of possession with the ability to press high and to protect our goal, it means that we are improving. It's not just a question of key moments, we are working hard and the squad is getting better."

• On players tiring against Manchester United: "It was demanding, we were controlling main parts of the game but there was a drop in the quality of decision making and less composure, then they got opportunities quick. It's the Premier League, at that level it is about giving 100% all of the time, when you drop you feel the threat immediately. It's not easy to maintain that level over 100 minutes at the end of the season."

• Sunderland could be looking ahead to Europe but Le Bris was adamant that they were only focused on the next game in front of them: "We want to win the next game, if you start to look too far ahead it's a distraction. Our job is to stay focused on the game and the game plan and the problems you have to fix and the opportunities as well."

• When asked about if he thought Sunderland are overperforming this season he said: "The expectations at the start, the odds were really low so it's a big achievement, so we are really proud of this achievement. The exposure to problems and big teams helps. The evolution of the players is good too, many of the players had not got Premier League experience. It's very positive."

Hit play at the top of this post to hear more from Le Bris or listen here on BBC Sounds

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

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Nick Barnes, Marco Gabbiadini and Simon Pryde have been discussing Sunderland's academy on BBC Radio Newcastle and how the under 23s and first team have supported one another this season.

A number of the under-21s squad have been used on the bench in the Premier League this campaign, including the Jones brothers - Jaydon and Jensen - and Jack Whittock.

But Gabbiadini believes the likelihood of the academy players breaking through into the first team now that Sunderland are in the Premier League for another season is slimmer.

"The route to the first team is the biggest problem for any young player," the former Black Cats striker said. "Many of them have been on the bench this season, but will they have many on the bench next season?

"I'm not knocking the lads, but that has been a big difference between us and a lot of teams this season.

"It depends on recruitment this summer and it depends on Regis le Bris' core squad, how it's fleshed out in the summer and the quality he brings into that."

Listen to the conversation on BBC Sounds or hit play above

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been named on a six-man shortlist for the Premier League's manager of the season award.

The 50-year-old is nominated alongside Brentford's Keith Andrews, Manchester United's Michael Carrick, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.

The winner will be decided by a combination of a public vote and panel of football experts.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has been discussing Regis le Bris' goal of squad stability with BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes and Simon Pryde.

After the Black Cats signed 14 players last summer, it is expected to be a quieter window this time round with Le Bris wanting a few additions to add to the squad which has will finish midtable in the clubs' first season back in the Premier League.

"This season gives us a strong platform with 14 new signings," he said.

"The connection and performances have been good. There is room for improvement, it's important to build on the foundations we have created together because we feel we have so much to do with this club.

"It's still important to add two, three, four players to help the starting XI and the 16-man core of the squad."

Gabbiadini added: "It was an incredible summer.

"They weren't exactly household names but you could see where the ideas were coming from and Granit Xhaka was the icing on the cake. Keeping them first and foremost is going to be the biggest part of the summer and then it goes into adding something to it.

"Four sounds pretty conservative but it would certainly help. Some managers don't like a big squad.

"You have also then got to be reactionary in the transfer window if you have a small squad and something happens injury-wise. It should be an easier summer for us and you would like to think there will be more players wanting to come to a club like Sunderland after seeing what we've done [this season]."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes says some of the football played in Saturday's home draw against Manchester United was "the best we've seen from Sunderland this season".

Despite failing to find the net in the goalless stalemate, the Black Cats limited United to just one shot on target, had higher possession and registered an xG (expected goals) of 1.17 compared to the visitor's 0.66.

"I think it was a big performance against a good team. You'd have to say the result was positive although it was only a draw," Barnes said.

"It was a really good performance backed up with a lot of players playing well.

"We have talked about Sunderland plateauing this past month or two but I thought some of the football on Saturday was the best we've seen from Sunderland this season.

"You could see the triangles moving up the pitch, everybody kept in close contact with each other quick passing, and Manchester United were struggling to come to terms with that speed. I thought some of the passing that Sunderland were putting together was very impressive.

"The only low point was the start of the second half when I felt they were struggling to get into the game, but I think the crowd then got behind them and got them re-energised. I thought that overall, that was one of the best performances I've seen from Sunderland this season."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

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A "third summer of consecutive major transformation" in infrastructure at Sunderland carries with it an "element of risk", says former Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini.

The proposed developments include multi-million pound investment in stadium infrastructure, premium executive boxes, a new LED perimeter advertising system, and investment being made in the Academy of Light to further develop elite performance environments for the men's teams, the women's team and the academy teams.

The club say the changes are "designed to enhance experience for supporters, players, partners and staff".

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "We had massive job cuts after the first relegation and even bigger ones on the second relegation,"

"This is basically just getting the club back up to where it was at that stage and probably a little bit more as well.

"So, you know, the sad reality is that if we did get relegated, a lot of these jobs would go again.

"I suppose the way to think for the leadership group is that if we get all this stuff right, if we get more substance in what's going on behind the scenes, then it's not just about the players.

"You've got to really believe that you're still going to be in at the status that we are in at the moment so there is an element of risk to it.

"I know that it was very upsetting for a lot of people because obviously a lot of the staff are local and when when those two relegations happened they really affected a lot of people and ripped the heart out of the football club for a long time.

"It wasn't just people working there, I know a lot of fans stopped going to games and didn't renew season tickets and haven't been back.

"I think now they're looking at it with the advent of parachute payments with the infrastructure they're building and their assumption would be if the worst came to the worst and they were relegated then, like most Premier League teams who have gone down in recent years, they would come back within one or two years."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Reporter James Copley says he "couldn't have predicted Sunderland to do this well" in their first season back in the Premier League since the 2016–17 season, as Regis le Bris' team occupy 12th in the table.

The Sunderland Echo journalist believes the Black Cats have had "an amazing season" and highlighted some of his favourite moments.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Copley said: "It's been absolutely fantastic, it's been unbelievable.

"There has been so many great moments. I don't think we could have predicted Sunderland to do this well at the start of the season.

"It has been an amazing season with so many high points.

"The two wins over Newcastle were very special. I could go back to the opening day against West Ham, that was a fantastic result and performance, a real feel-good factor around the Stadium of Light.

"Other highlights were Arsenal, 2-2 at home, that was a really good display. Bournemouth as well, that was a really special atmosphere. Chelsea away was fantastic, there's been a lot.

"They've delivered a lot this season and they deserve an immense amount of credit, the staff and the players deserve the plaudits."

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

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini gave his thoughts on the side's performance against Manchester United at the weekend and lamented the lack of clinical finishing.

The Black Cats have failed to score in 13 of their 36 Premier League games, only Wolves (19) and Nottingham Forest (14) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

"It's a strange one because you're sort of pleased with the performance and I thought every player played a part and as a team they were excellent but they just couldn't find that final touch because that's what it was," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We got into great positions, we got in behind the defence, we rattled them, we played forward quickly, we did just about everything right except unfortunately the hardest bit of football and that's putting it in the back of the net. It could have been a very different result because there were three or four really good chances but that's why goal scorers are so highly cherished."

Brian Brobbey is Sunderland's top scorer in the league this season with six goals while Chemsdine Talbi has four.

Gabbiadini added: "I was watching Callum Wilson for West Ham. He comes on and within a couple of minutes he's had a couple of shots on target and caused problems. Players like that just have it in them that they want to go for goal. It's the desire to get in the right position and finish it off.

"Brobbey got clear through and if you watch it back on slow motion he should have hit it. He sort of took another stride and if he had hit it before that stride he would have beat the goalkeeper because the goalkeeper was adjusting his feet and that's the instinct I think that real goal scorers have. What a [Jermain] Defoe would have."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds here

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Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating: "Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

• Listen to the show in full on BBC Sounds

• Watch the show in full on iPlayer

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland really couldn't have done much more against Manchester United on Saturday in what was a thoroughly dominant performance - that is, of course, except hit the back of the net!

It's been a common frustration of mine with the team at times this season that we aren't quite as clinical as other sides at this level. If you think back to the game against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago, they'd had five shots on target in the first half and were 4-0 up. It feels like with us that we need five or six clear-cut chances in a game in order to stick one of them away and at this level that's just not good enough unfortunately.

Yet I don't want to be too critical of the team's performance because other than our ability to convert our chances, we were excellent. There was only ever one team in the game, and I don't remember Manchester United ever really having a spell of dominance, which is a testament to how well we did.

Enzo Le Fee and Granit Xhaka were on a different wavelength from any of the midfield players in opposition shirts and our pressing and harrying made them visibly uncomfortable. It was great to see us mixing it with one of the best sides in the league this season and it was once again proof of what we're capable of.

Any hopes of qualifying for Europe seem a distant memory, but all we can do is fight and battle like we did on Saturday in these final two games and from then our fate is in the lap of the gods.

We certainly aren't on the beach yet and I'm hoping for a brilliant end to what has been a brilliant season from Sunderland.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes that Regis le Bris' side could still be in with a chance of finishing in the European places, despite sitting 12th in the table.

"A lot of teams are fighting and playing each other in this little middle group and no-one wants to give an inch so if we did win the last two games, it could make a huge difference," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

There could be up to nine Premier League clubs in Europe next season - six in the Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the Conference League.

"It's still there for us as a carrot but it is a little bit disappointing. When we look back in a few months' time at the way the season went, we have just faded away a little bit towards the end," added Gabbiadini.

The Black Cats have won 12, drawn 12 and lost 12 of their 36 matches this term since returning to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

"We've got this small squad that the manager likes to use. Once it goes deeper than that, sometimes we have got issues. He hasn't got three or four strikers to choose from who have played in the Premier League before and got experience," said Gabbiadini.

"They are the bits that we have got to improve on. We haven't got a Callum Wilson or a Harvey Barnes to come off the bench. If we had players like that, they would probably be starting - that's the difference between us and an established Premier League side.

"We've established a great foothold in the Premier League and made it look easy staying up this season, but the next step is to score a few more goals."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds here

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Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has not ruled out leaving the Stadium of Light this summer. (Voetbal Nieuws - in Dutch), external

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

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Jacky: Good game. Sunderland by far the better team on the day. We were unlucky not to score, receive a pen and we hit the post. A point before the game would have been nice but disappointed not to win after such a good performance. No wonder their keeper got man of the match.

Peter: This game represented Sunderland's season. Solid in defence with some top-class interplay. But sadly clinical finishing has cost us a European spot. A great season that could have been fantastic.

Michael: Excellent all-round except the finishing. That is the last piece of the jigsaw for this team. Get that right and we will be a real force in the Premier League. Much better than United by far.

Jura: Another wasted opportunity to get maximum points because we struggle to score goals.

Man Utd fans

Andrew: Poor display by United, there was no urgency in trying to win the ball or win the game. United did not start to play until the last five minutes. I hope this effort was just a one-off or the Champions League is going to be short-lived.

Paul: Again a very under-par performance and couldn't have complained if the result had gone against them. Very poor forward play and midfield were always being pressured by a team who seemed more up for the challenge.

Mark: Sunderland certainly deserved a win. United were overrun by a team who fought better and had chances to win. United unfortunately were lethargic.

KB: United played like a team that had reached its objectives and it didn't really matter any more. Not a great watch.

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka says they "should be proud" of what they have achieved this season as the primary aim was to just stay up.

Following Saturday's goalless draw against Manchester United, there has been a lot of media talk around the Black Cats lack of a clinical edge.

When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if they have struggled to score goals this season, Xhaka replied: "Is it enough if you get 48 points? Don't forget where we have come from.

"The demands from the outside is big and we are demanding of each other as well to score goals and not concede many.

"This is our first season together with many new faces. It takes time, so we just have to be proud of what are doing at the moment because we are having a great season.

"The target was to survive, get as many points as possible and see where we were at the end.

"Now in the last two games we want to give everything and be proud of ourselves."

Listen to Xhaka on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams believes Nilson Angulo should have been sent off for hitting his forearm in the side of Bruno Fernandes' face in Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.

"He's a very lucky boy," said Williams. "I don't know what he's thinking.

"It's not a running action and he's clearly tried to elbow him in the face. He's caught him with the forearm.

"We've heard since that because it was the forearm and not the elbow, or it wasn't enough contact, that it's not a red card.

"It is a red card because it's a naughty challenge and he's very lucky to have not been sent off."

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth

• Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

• Manchester City 3-0 Brentford