Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at The Amex Stadium (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Reflecting on last weekend's derby win over Newcastle, Le Bris said: "That was really important. We kept consistency in the process. We were composed, showed great character, good intensity and maturity. We were ready to seize key moments and showed that we were mature. At the same time, there's still room to improve."

• He is keen to use the positive energy from the win moving forward: "We had one day to relax and when the players came back to the Academy of Light, they were ready to work again. That's important - after a big win like that it helps the mood of the squad. But we're ready to go again because we know the next opponent will be strong."

• On his emotions after the win: "We felt the energy of the stadium. It was really impressive. It was shared - you just have to enjoy it. It's a really short period."

• Le Bris said that Habib Diarra could be in the matchday squad before travelling to Afcon: "He might be with us for Brighton. It will be the end of his rehab process and, if everything is positive, he'll be able to leave with the national team."

• He added: "All the other players have already left for the Africa Cup of Nations."

• The Black Cats will lose six players to the tournament, but Le Bris stressed this gives opportunities to the rest of his squad: "The team will look a bit different. For players with less game time, they knew this period would come. They're ready, they train properly and they're well-connected with the squad. Now we'll manage the game and see. They've been patient and knew it was possible to play. I'm not worried. We knew this period would come - it's not new or unexpected and with 26 points, confidence is higher. I trust the players."

• On Sunderland having so many points before the tournament: "I didn't set any limit or specific objective because we were new in this league with 14 new signings. We're discovering things every day. If we set a limit beforehand, we might underestimate the squad."

• Tom Watson will face Sunderland after scoring the winning goal for them in last season's play-off final on his last appearance for the club: "Looking back at the situation, we managed it properly. It wasn't easy, but as a club, as a coaching staff and with the player, we managed it in a way that worked for both sides. The outcome was fantastic - with that late goal in the final at Wembley, we showed it was the right decision."

• On the threat posed by the Seagulls: "They're a good side - strong, with many individual and collective threats. Impressive in possession, strong pressing team, really intense with pace and power. It's an exciting challenge once again."

Listen to Regis Le Bris talk to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes ahead of the game

Listen to live commentary of Brighton v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC Sounds from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle - Sunderland commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Understandably Sunderland fans are purring following Sunday's win.

Newcastle fans are naturally wounded by the defeat but hold their hands up to the relative tameness of the display.

It seems to be generally accepted Newcastle were a shadow of the team they can be and failed to both rise to the occasion or show the fight and determination expected in the fixture.

Sunderland's players rose to the occasion following a spirited pre-match team talk from Luke O'Nien who understands the club and its fans and the importance of the game to them.

Despite having no local players in the starting 11 all of the team grasped its importance.

It was apparently Dan Ballard's suggestion to have a team photo taken on the pitch in front of the Roker End and that sums up the hurt he and Sunderland felt two years ago when Newcastle took a picture in front of the North Stand following their win in the FA Cup.

That result stung the club and their response was unequivocal. They milked the opportunity for revenge.

Doubtless Newcastle will find a rebuke for the 'Visitors' at St. James' Park in March but for the time being Sunderland are basking in the bragging rights and Newcastle fans know it would have been no different had they won on Wearside.

Find all your Sunderland audio here

Sunday's derby fixture - which saw Sunderland overcome fierce rivals Newcastle - has prompted debate aplenty.

One caller on BBC Radio Newcastle said: "Out of every Newcastle player on that pitch, not one of them would get into the Sunderland side, not based on ability but on attitude.

"As well as being a Sunderland supporter, I'm an England supporter.

"If they can't build themselves up for a game like this at club level, what are they going to do over there [at next summer's World Cup]?"

Ex-Magpies' defender John Anderson scrutinised some of the failures suggested and feels a lack of intensity proved pivotal in Newcastle's demise.

Sunderland latest on BBC Sounds

Newcastle latest on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Days like Sunday don't come along very often, but when they do, you are reminded of why you love your team and you love football.

Sunderland were absolutely outstanding against Newcastle in the first Premier League meeting in a decade, and while it wasn't a startling game of football, there can be no doubt that the lads in red and white were deserved winners and looked more than good enough value for the three points.

It was one of the most determined and spirited defensive displays I have seen from any Sunderland side, and every person watching could see this is a special team determined to fight every second for the supporters and the badge.

It feels poetic to me that in the past decade Sunderland have been relegated twice, spent four seasons in League One, have almost gone bust, had to completely rebuild ourselves - and still we are superior to our neighbours up the road who sold out to a Saudi-led consortium. And for what? Nobody likes them. No neutral watching that game wanted to see Newcastle United emerge victorious.

Instead, Sunderland have gone about their business in a fashion that has rightly earned us praise and acclaim. You watch players like Robin Roefs, Noah Sadiki, Omar Alderete, Dan Ballard, Reinildo Mandava, and Granit Xhaka and you can't help but love them. Every fan of every team wants players who 'get it', and Sunderland's players certainly do. It is just such an amazing time to support this unbelievable football club.

Sunday was my favourite derby victory. There is no sweeter feeling, after taking stick for the last goodness knows how long from fans of "the Visitors", than to be able to sit here knowing we are better than they are, that we beat them and that we are above them in the table. I am going to be smiling ear to ear for the rest of this week!

By the way... does anyone know if the phone networks have gone down over Newcastle? I can't seem to get in touch with any of my black-and-white-supporting mates. I hope they're OK.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs says he is proud of his side's progress and that continuing their positive run is the only focus.

The Black Cats are now just two points away from the Premier League's top four.

Asked if Sunderland can begin to think about Europe, Roefs said: "We're not thinking anything about the end of the season. We just go into every game and we want to win it.

"We don't really look to the rankings and the points we have but we are amazingly proud of the way we're playing at the moment, the results we have and it's up to us to continue."

Sunday's victory over Newcastle brought their points total up to 26 after 16 games.

"This is for sure the most crazy atmosphere I've ever played in," Roefs added.

"The staff mentioned it a lot but also, everywhere you go the last few weeks, the fans and people have told you how important this game is and it didn't disappoint at all.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable and really helped us."

Florent Ghisolfi, Sunderland's director of football, had high praise for Dan Ballard after Sunday's derby day win over Newcastle.

"I can go to the market for all of them but I cannot find a Ballard," Ghisolfi said. "He is Sunderland - hard work, resilience, talent.

"I can look in Argentina and other markets, but I cannot find a Ballard."

Ballard was one of the Black Cats' key players in their promotion-winning campaign and scored in the final seconds of extra time against Coventry City to seal Sunderland's place in the Championship play-off final.

Despite Regis le Bris assembling a practically new squad for their top-flight return, the 26-year-old has featured in 14 of the opening 16 games, scoring two goals and assisting one.

"He is aggressive, he is decent on the ball and he is certainly one of the big characters on the pitch," said former Manchester United defender Phil Jones on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

Ex-Premier League striker Chris Sutton added: "I can't say I saw too much of him in the Championship, but maybe because of the players they brought in to play alongside him, Le Bris saw him as a good squad player - but he has had his opportunity and he has taken it."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

BBC commentators Nick Barnes and Matthew Raisbeck take in the end of Sunderland's win over Newcastle.

Sunderland's Barnes says that Newcastle never really put pressure on the Black Cats, and Newcastle commentator Raisbeck said the Magpies lacked desire and quality.

What will happen when the two sides meet at St James Park in March?

Former England striker Wayne Rooney believes Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka is the signing of the season after he impressed once more against Newcastle on Sunday.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Podcast, he said: "I feared for Sunderland at the start of the season.

"But I think the signings have come in and been excellent, the energy and the quality they are playing with as well.

"I think from the owner and the manager it has been very detailed what they have done."

Rooney added: "Xhaka has to be the signing of the season. He has always been a good player.

"I thought going into Sunderland he could struggle and it wouldn't be a good singing but he has been incredible.

"His ability to dictate the players and slow the play down. He has been brilliant."

Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Ashley: Strong, committed, passionate and 100% effort all over the pitch. Can't ask for any more than that. Newcastle weren't up for the fight - Sunderland deserved the win.

Brian: Our gameplan worked but it does tend to stifle our creativity. Every player worked their socks off and deserved to win a very tense game.

Chips: We should have won that more comfortably than we did. I feel we overplayed it a lot, when a quick cross would have been better. Still a problem with finishing too. Having said that, We thoroughly deserved that win.

Chris: What a result! Scrappy game but Sunderland wanted it more. What a season this is turning out to be. I'm over the moon! What a fitting tribute to Gary Rowell - a true Sunderland legend.

Newcastle fans

Sean: Terrible team, terrible tactics, terrible showing, terrible subs, terrible management... MASSIVE game on Wednesday for Eddie Howe. I could see him going at end of the season.

Alan: It's a long time, a very long time, since I've seen a player have such a disappointing start to their career as Anthony Elanga has at Newcastle. If he was a young lad trying to break through the ranks he probably wouldn't get another start this season. Seriously, he can't cross, can't dribble, doesn't shoot and can't tackle. Maybe his old boss will take hint to West Ham for a re-boot!

Philip: Poor all-round and it felt like no effort was being made. Anthony Gordon and Elanga were awful - in fact, Elanga shouldn't have come back out at half-time. No service again to Nick Woltemade and later Yoane Wissa. All our play, every game is on the wings and it isn't working right now. We need a player in the so-called 10 position to link midfield and attack, to support the striker. Hope it's better midweek in the cup.

Paul: Shocking display. Summer signings apart from Malick Thiaw and Woltemade have been huge failures and nowhere near good enough. Whoever thought it was good business to sign Elanga, Ramsey, and Wissa for £153m should be held to account. Questions starting to be asked of Howe and co!

Pundits Joe Hart and Theo Walcott and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates 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:

• Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City

• Brentford 1-1 Leeds

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Jermain Defoe's volley. Kieran Richardson's thunderbolt free-kick. Fabio Borini's howitzer.

You can now add Woltemade's header to the list of memorable derby goals Sunderland have profited from at the Stadium of Light.

Never has a contribution from a Newcastle player been cheered so wildly by Sunderland supporters.

The hosts may have only had a single shot on target on Sunday, but don't let that fool you - they fully deserved this win.

When these sides last met - in the FA Cup, a couple of seasons ago - they were separated by a division. It was an afternoon when the gulf in class was evident.

Not anymore.

Sunderland have now beaten, among others, Newcastle and Chelsea and drawn against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool since coming up through the play-offs. They have not lost a single game at home.

This side's motto, 'til the end', has been associated with a series of astonishing late goals, but it was telling those powers of recovery were not required against Newcastle.

'Till the end' instead summed up the hosts' solidity and composure as they saw the game out.

Goalkeeper Robin Roefs stood tall and repeatedly claimed the ball. A smiling Mukiele whipped up the fans after winning a throw-in. Ballard held off Yoane Wissa in the dying moments.

No wonder the stadium was still full long after full-time as Sunderland supporters stayed behind to salute their side.

Listen to Enzo Le Fee and Granit Xhaka on BBC Sounds

Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, talking to Sky Sports, said after the 1-0 victory over Newcastle: "Proud and happy. It was a derby and we were expected [to win] by our fans. This win is well deserved, we were mature and the lads were incredible.

"During the first half tactically it was really good, just small details about the shape, then it was a question of being more clinical in the final third. We had good control and some times were more patient.

"It was a good level of maturity, so happy for the lads and it is good for our fans.

"It's good for the region, the club, the fans. We knew before it was a special game but we have to reset quickly as we have another tough challenge in Brighton in one week so let's go again."

You can listen to more from Le Bris here

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 Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland have made three changes for the visit of arch-rivals Newcastle United to the Stadium of Light.

Reinildo Mandava, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbery all come into the starting line-up for the hosts.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee, Traore, Talbi, Brobbery

Subs: Patterson, Geertrvida, Hume, Isidor, Mayenda, Rigg, Dingra, Mundle, Neil

19-year-old Lewis Miley starts for Newcastle as the visitors bid to win a derby in the Premier League for the first time since 2011.

The midfielder is rewarded with a start after coming off the bench to score in the 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen midweek.

Anthony Elanga also comes into the team in the only other change from Wednesday night.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Miley, Tonali, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ruddy, Schar, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, J Murphy, A Murphy, Willock, Ramsey

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will be bringing you every moment.

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

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Sunderland v Newcastle United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham United v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Brentford v Leeds United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT 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 Crystal Palace v Man City" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Newcastle", for instance.

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

Sunderland have had the week off while Newcastle had to work so hard against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, only to let their lead slip away late on.

Apart from their brilliant performance against Everton a couple of weeks ago, Newcastle's away form hasn't been great, especially straight after they've played in the Champions League.

I am expecting that pattern to continue on Sunday, and their fatigue is likely to be a factor in how this game goes because of Sunderland's intensity.

We saw against Arsenal how relentless Regis le Bris's side are. They bullied the Gunners, and it was amazing to watch.

Everyone talks about how Granit Xhaka has been phenomenal for the Black Cats, and he has been brilliant, but Noah Sadiki, who plays alongside him in midfield, has also been one of the signings of the season and deserves some attention too.

I am expecting this to be the best game of the weekend, and I am also expecting Sunderland to win it.

Some derby games can be hyped up and then end up being disappointing, but I can't see this one letting anyone down.

I love the way Eddie Howe sets Newcastle up too, and he is a brilliant manager, but the Black Cats will take the bragging rights.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland club legend Gary Rowell has died at the age of 68.

Rowell, who had leukaemia, died on Saturday afternoon - 50 years to the day he made his debut for the Black Cats.

As a midfielder, he scored 103 goals in 297 games for the club between 1972 and 1984.

A hat-trick in a 4-1 win over North East rivals Newcastle in 1979 earned Rowell iconic status at Sunderland, and he remains the last player to score a derby hat-trick for the club.

Sunderland, who face Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Sunday (14:00 GMT), said in a statement: "Wearside will come together to celebrate his immense contribution to our club and remember his unforgettable time in red and white."

Listen to Radio Newcastle's tribute to Rowell on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League Tyne-Wear derbies are back - but it's a rivalry that dates back to the English Civil War and runs a lot deeper than football.

BBC Radio Newcastle Total Sport's Simon Pryde takes a look back at how the famous derby began and the moments that have gone down in history.

Hear from those at the heart of it to find out what the derby means to the players, fans and to the North East as a region.

Listen to 'The Tyne-Wear Derby: It's more than football' on BBC Sounds