Sunderland

Ailsa Cowen
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sunderland could be without Dennis Cirkin, Nordi Mukiele, Reinildo, Brian Brobbey and Jocelin Ta Bi.

• Le Bris said there are no new injury updates: "We still have one or two minor injurie. With the quick turnaround between fixtures, we'll make decisions late. Other injuries remain long and recovery is important."

• On defender Dan Ballard signing a new contract extension: "Dan has shown his capabilities to step up. His physical presence is consistent, but he is also constantly improving. We're all delighted for him."

• On Sunderland's midfield: "Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Habib Diarra and Enzo le Fee are all connected in such a positive way. They are meant to play together. We know there is a fluidity to their movement that is matched with individual strengths."

• On Tuesday's opponents: "They're doing well. They have a clear identity and the ability to go direct. They are well coached with a great atmosphere at Elland Road. Last season they were strong and the outcome at the end of the season [promotion] was no surprise.

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

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Former Sunderland player Gary Bennett and commentator Nick Barnes react to a "deserved point" in their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

You can also listen to the full post-match reaction on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth

Paul: Another two points given up by a slow start and missed chances. As maybe expected, the high press just isn't there at this point of the season and the front men aren't getting into the box like they were earlier. Some encouraging performances, notably Alex Scott (again) and Marcus Tavernier, although we have to find a way to get Rayan more involved.

Adam: With a proper finisher (don't mention Antoine Semenyo), we'd be top five. Glad to not lose but gutted to not win... again.

James: Always a threat. Always play great football - although the time-wasting at Brighton was appalling. The unbeaten run continues. European football remains a possibility.

Geoff: On paper, it should have been 90 minutes of attacking football. Sunderland forgot to read the script, but were determined to throw themselves to the ground at every opportunity. Had there been a better referee I am quite sure all fans would have witnessed a better game.

Sunderland

Ann: Great away point! Sunderland have done well this season. Glad the captain is back at the helm!

Stephen: We knew we had to do much more and perform better than we have in recent games, and we did. We had more urgency, more fizz and better structure. We were unlucky not to get the three points.

K: A good performance against an in-form Bournemouth side. The standard of refereeing and those involved in VAR need a serious review. Week after week, there appear to be some serious errors made.

Craig: On the face of it, a good point on the road, but in reality, another shocking performance from the officials. In what planet was the penalty shout an acceptable challenge? Three points off the magical 40 takes the pain away, but more consistency from VAR is needed.

Sunderland and West Ham are interested in 24-year-old Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez, who could be allowed to leave AC Milan. (AS - in Spanish), external

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Sunderland defender Dan Ballard has extended his contract until the summer of 2029, with an option of an additional year.

The Northern Ireland international signed for the Black Cats from Arsenal in July 2022 and has been played a key role in the club's recent success.

Ballard has made 114 appearances in red and white, has scored eight goals and has impressed during his debut season in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old also scored a dramatic injury-time winner against Coventry City in the play-off semi-final last year, before Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the final at Wembley to earn promotion to the topflight.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have signed a new contract. From the moment we began talks, it felt like an easy decision, and I'm happy to be extending my time at the club." Ballard said after the announcement.

"Achieving promotion last season was incredible and I feel very fortunate to have played a part in some special moments in the club's recent history.

"My aim this season was to stay in the team, compete every day, and keep working hard to contribute. Hopefully, I can continue improving and help drive the club forward for many years to come."

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

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-3 Everton

• Liverpool 5-2 West Ham

• Leeds 0-1 Manchester City

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris to BBC Match of the Day: "It's a tough place. They have a clear identity, they are intense and always on the front foot. It was really positive from us to challenge this position. After three defeats in a row it's not a question of tactics or technique it's mindset to be honest. Today we showed it. We probably had the opportunity to win this game, especially at the beginning of the second half to make it 2-0. We didn't score, but it's a good point in the end.

"We had different options on the bench. We had a few injuries from Fulham as well so it was important to make a few changes and the lads are still connected with the team. We are a small group so they know with injuries and suspensions and so on something will come. When it comes you have to get ready and that's what they did today."

On Eliezer Mayenda's goal: "Mayenda is in the right position on the pitch. As the striker you have to sniff the opportunity and he did it well."

On Granit Xhaka's return: "He's important. In this league every team has two or three main players. Here at Sunderland we know Granit is one of those players. When he is with us you feel the difference. The way he can lead and give confidence to his team-mates is really important as well."

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard to BBC Match of the Day: "It was an intense game. It's a tough place to come here. They bring high energy. All the duals are tough. We've struggled of late and we needed to bring it back to basics. We did that and we matched them."

On Granit Xhaka returning: "We've missed him of late and we've had our toughest run of the season. To have a natural leader like that come into the team is great. It was important to bounce back. I think we've done that today.

"They put you under pressure all game. It's hard to have control of the ball, it can feel end to end. It's a tough place to come so we can be proud of the performance today."

On Sunderland's first-half penalty shout: "It felt like it was a penalty at the time. I've not seen it. It's a tough job to referee, especially on a day like today where both teams are going on it. It's difficult for them, but it did feel like a penalty."

You can hear more from Regis Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• This was the first Premier League game this season between two starting elevens with an average age of 24 and below; the last time this happened was the final day of last season between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton.

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In the reverse fixture against Bournemouth in November, the Black Cats found themselves 2-0 down inside 15 minutes at the Stadium of Light before fighting back to win 3-2.

But Regis Le Bris' side got off to a brighter start on the south coast, with Noah Sadiki's low shot forcing a fine save by Petrovic, while they also had an early penalty appeal waved away by referee Gillett.

And after soaking up a period of pressure by Bournemouth, the visitors took the lead through Eliezer Mayenda's first league goal since the opening day of the season.

Lutsharel Geertruida then stopped the hosts from finding a quick equaliser with a superb last-ditch slide tackle to stop David Brooks from tapping in.

Habib Diarra missed a golden chance to double Sunderland's lead after the restart when he found himself through on goal, but his strike was easily saved by Petrovic.

The Senegal international was ultimately left to rue the wasted opportunity, with Evanilson ensuring the Black Cats will head back to Wearside with just a point.

However, there are positives to take for Le Bris whose side snapped their three-game losing run and moved back into the top half of the table, while captain Xhaka returned from injury to start for the first time since 17 January.

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

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Andoni Iraola makes two changes to the Bournemouth side that played out a goalless draw with West Ham last weekend.

Striker Evanilson drops to the bench along with Amine Adli, with David Brooks and Marcus Tavernier coming into the starting line-up.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Scott, Adams, Brooks, Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier.

Subs: Mandas, Evanilson, Christie, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris makes four changes after a 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.

Captain Granit Xhaka returns to the starting line-up for the first time since 17 January after recovering from an ankle injury.

Lutsharel Geertruida, Eliezer Malenda and Chemsdine Talbi also come into the side, with Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi set for a "few weeks or months" out after suffering injuries against the Cottagers.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, Hume, Sadiki, Xhaka, Le Fee, Diarra, Mayenda, Talbi.

Subs: Ellborg, Angulo, Rigg, O'Nien, Isidor, Traore, Aleksic, H Jones, J Jones.

Image source, BBC Sport

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

• Bournemouth v Sunderland (12:30)

• Burnley v Brentford

• Liverpool v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Manchester City (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 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 Liverpool v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Everton", for instance.

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

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland make the long journey to the south coast vying for their first league double over Bournemouth since 1990. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (12:30 GMT).

In-form Cherries aim to extend unbeaten run

Bournemouth have been one of the Premier League's streakiest sides this season. They ended October second in the table after losing just one of their first nine league fixtures but plummeted down the standings following an 11-match winless sequence.

However, despite selling star man Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January, the Cherries are staging a formidable third act. Andoni Iraola's team are one of the top flight's form sides right now and have avoided defeat in each of their past seven league games – only Manchester United are currently on a longer unbeaten run.

Victory on Saturday would take them seventh, for a few hours at least, and boost their hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history. An achievement of that scale would underline why Iraola is one of the game's most in-demand managers.

Yet after last weekend's goalless draw at West Ham, Iraola was looking down the table rather than up, stressing that his priority is getting 40 points on the board to secure safety.

He was also disappointed with his side's uncharacteristically passive first-half display at London Stadium, complaining his players didn't win enough duels and "were not being aggressive on the ball".

Sunderland on the slide

A run of three consecutive league defeats has seen Sunderland overtaken by Bournemouth, with the Black Cats also dropping out of the top half of the table.

The newly promoted club have been this season's surprise package and with 36 points on the board have probably already done enough to achieve their key objective – staying up.

The Wearsiders were hard to beat in the first half of the campaign but have not maintained that stubborn streak since the turn of the year, losing five Premier League fixtures in 2026 – one more than in 2025.

However, head coach Regis le Bris insists perspective is required. "In the Premier League, it's not unusual for us and for every team in the league – you can be in the top six and you can have a long sequence of poor results," he said following last weekend's defeat.

"We are now in this part of the journey – resilience, togetherness, consistency and standards are always the same values we need and we won't give up."

Sunderland just seem to be fading a little bit.

They went fourth in the table when they beat Bournemouth 3-2 at the Stadium of Light at the end of November, but their results have tailed off recently and they have missed Granit Xhaka's influence in recent weeks.

Xhaka came off the bench in last week's defeat by Fulham and, if he starts this time, they will be better organised here.

I still fancy Bournemouth to win it, though. They always create chances and Rayan has done well since signing in January to replace Antoine Semenyo.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves manager Rob Edwards and Sunderland counterpart Regis le Bris have condemned the racist abuse their players suffered last weekend.

Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare, 25, received abusive messages on social media after he was part of a Wolves side beaten 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

"[It's been a] really difficult week for him [Arokodare]," said Edwards. "He was upset and angered by it, understandably so.

"We have supported him, and we have had a few individual chats with him. We have spoken about it as a group to make sure we get around him and support him as well."

Sunderland's English winger Mundle, 22, was also targeted with online racist abuse following his substitute appearance in Sunday's 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.

"What happened to Romaine is unacceptable - we stand with him," said Le Bris.

"There is no room for racism or abuse in football or anywhere else. That's clear for us. We stand for respect, inclusion and diversity - these are the values of football and the values of the club."

Read more here

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

You can listen to Le Bris speak to the media here, or take in the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris said the racial abuse that Romaine Mundle received was "unacceptable" and that the club "stand with him" during this difficult period. Le Bris added: "There is no room for racism or abuse in football. That is clear for us. We stand for respect and inclusion. Diversity is the values of football and the values of the club."

• Captain, Granit Xhaka "might" be named in the starting XI after featuring from the bench in Sunderland's 3-1 defeat against Fulham.

• Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi are set for a "few weeks or months" out after suffering injuries against the Cottagers.

• However, Le Bris confirmed Nordi Mukiele and Brian Brobbey's return from injury would be a "shorter" turnaround "depending on the way they respond to the treatment and the rehab".

• Defender Dennis Cirkin is fit to return to match action for the Wearside club in 10 days, whilst forward, Bertrand Traore has returned to "full training this week".

• Sunderland have lost three consecutive Premier League games, but Le Bris said "it is part of the process" during their return to the top flight.

• Le Bris explained: "We are in a tough league – a young team with injuries, suspensions and different events. We expected that a bit earlier [in the season]. It is not the best period from a results perspective. We are learning a lot, and it is often in these tough phases that you are learning more."

• On other teams poaching Sunderland's talent: "It is going to be another part of the journey a bit later. Our main focus is not that one."

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

Listen to Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes talks about if Sunderland have to sell players this summer: "It wouldn't come as a huge surprise if [Robin] Roefs, Noah Sadiki and others left."

Hit play above or listen to more Sunderland audio BBC Sounds here

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Sunderland's hopes of signing Algerian midfielder Yacine Titraoui from Belgian side Charleroi have received a boost as the 22-year-old's representatives are reluctant to sanction a move to Premier League rivals Wolves because of the likelihood of the club being relegated. (Sunderland Echo), external

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

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has been talking about how the return of Granit Xhaka could turn things around for the Black Cats after a dip in form: "They're not a one-man team, but he is very important, of course he is. He brings so much experience in a team that is still pretty green.

"You've got to be careful not to get too despondent or carried away. To get the captain back in the middle of the park, somebody who's a little bit more anchored and happy to just sit and control the game, will make a difference.

"There's been quite a lot of changes in the team. It hasn't been a particularly consistent team selection over the past few weeks - maybe that has been an issue as well. And new faces, as it always takes time when new faces come into the dressing room.

"We've lost some people and brought some new people in. They've got to hit the ground running, and it's not easy to do that.

"Most of the players have not had long Premier League careers or played that many games in the Premier League at all. Some of them haven't played many games full stop. If there's a little bit of a lull, that's to be expected."

Listen to more from Gabbiadini above or on BBC Sounds here

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has said football authorities have got to "react better" after midfielder Romaine Mundle received racial abuse on social media after the 3-1 home defeat by Fulham.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "The spotlight is on our club.

"We have got to react better, more strongly and more robustly than we are at the moment."

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said it had been an "appalling weekend" as both Mundle and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare had received racist abuse on social media.

Gabbiadini added: "It passes around from club to club. Social media, for me, is dragging us all down."

Hit play above to hear the full Total Sport discussion or listen on BBC Sounds here

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says the new faces in the team "look a little bit green - a little bit inexperienced".

Hear the full chat above or listen on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday was easily the most miserable day of the season so far.

We lost pretty handily to a decent Fulham side 3-1 on our own patch, several of our most important players went off injured (and, in the case of Nordi Mukiele, it looks pretty serious), fans streamed out in their thousands as the third goal went in, and then on Sunday night it was reported via a club statement that Romaine Mundle had been a victim of racist abuse online.

What a way to completely kill the good mood around the football club. Several Premier League players across the weekend found themselves victims of racist online abuse, and I quite liked Wolverhampton Wanderers' approach to the comments that Tolu Arokodare received - just name and shame these idiots and expose them for what they are.

I hope Sunderland follow suit, and I hope that Romaine gets the love and support he deserves from those around him and my fellow supporters. I also hope that these were not Sunderland supporters who gave him the abuse, because there's simply no place for it, and we have to drive these people out of our game. They're not supporters, or fans - they're just awful human beings.

The best thing that we can do as fans is to rally around Romaine and anyone else who has found themselves on the receiving end of abuse recently, and call it out when we see it. That isn't just restricted to racial abuse, by the way - that is all forms of abuse.

Some of the ridiculous things that I saw written online about Mundle and other Sunderland players, not just after the Fulham game but others recently, was absolutely rank. I just wish people would think twice before hitting 'post' and consider the implications of their words.

I'm not saying that you can't criticise a player's performance, because of course you can, but if it's not constructive, what is the point?

These are young men and they will only perform to the highest level if they're playing in an environment that enables it.

Slagging them off online or leaving your seat early because we're losing a match is not support, no matter how it's dressed up.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Stephen: We started the game and continued with no urgency, no fizz, no structure and couldn't get out of first gear. Would be forgiven for thinking we were the away team because the crowd was also very quiet. When we had to up the gears we showed that it could have been so different if this had been our urgency and momentum from the start.

Dave: Looks like the season has caught up with Sunderland. Form is tailing off. Still, for a new team of players in the Premier league they can be happy overall.

Michael: Regis Le Bris made a fundamental error in having new boys start on both wings. They struggled to cope with the physical tussles and tumbles of the Premier League as a result of which Brobbey, receiving dismal service, fought a lone battle.

Marko: Sorry, but that was easily the worst home performance by far. The injury list is mounting and we are relying on mostly Championship quality players. They've done very well up to now but Fulham's quality up front shows just how far we still need to go.

Fulham fans

James: Wow. What an amazing performance and a great result against a team with some of the best home form in the league. Those are some super vital 3 points if we want to push for Europe.

Robbie: Fantastic result with a positive performance overall across the team. You could see again how important Harry Wilson is to Fulham and the player he has become with age and great management. Onwards and upwards!

Tom: Great response after 3 league defeats in a row. Hopefully Jimenez's goalscoring form will continue with the return of Muniz and competition for the centre forward spot in the team.