Sunderland

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm really happy because coming from 2-0 down and winning is a big achievement. It shows this team has strong character; they are never beaten and want to fight. Many teams would give up, but that wasn't the case for us today.

"This league is really demanding. You make two mistakes and are punished.

"With the ball, we are good, so just keep pushing. We are able to hit their defence, and it was important to be clinical in the box.

"I think here we have a great energy in the stands. If we give a lot on the pitch, then they will react. We deserved to win in the end.

"It's important to play game after game. We went to Fulham last week and we lost. We were dominated. We go again.

"It's positive to start this week with three points. It's an exciting league with tough challenges but we want those challenges."

Defender Dan Ballard, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was an eventful game. I thought we actually started well, but found ourselves 2-0 down. We didn't let our heads drop. The team and the crowd believed, and it was some turnaround in the end.

"I think the lads were pretty calm, and I still felt we could win the game when 2-0 down. We've scored some late goals this year and last year, so there's a real belief in the team.

"We're taking it game by game. We're desperate to stay in the league. That was the target at the start of the season, and we want those 40 points.

On Granit Xhaka: "He's a fantastic leader, and he lifts everyone's standards. If Granit Xhaka is doing everything right, then why shouldn't the rest of us? He's lifted the standards.

On the fans: "They believed when we got that first goal, and they pushed us through. When we're hanging on to a lead, they're pushing us over the line."

Did you know?

• This was the first time Sunderland have ever come from 2+ goals down to win a Premier League game, with this the 188th time they have trailed by 2+ goals in a game in the competition (D10 L177).

• All three of Brian Brobbey's Premier League goals (2) and assists (1) this season have either put Sunderland in the lead (2) or drawn them level (1), coming off the bench in all three of those matches.

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Hear post-match reaction from Gary Bennett and Nick Barnes

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For the very first time, Sunderland won a Premier League game having been two goals down.

A Sunderland fightback seemed unlikely when the Black Cats were behind and being outplayed inside the first 15 minutes.

But the hosts were gifted a way back into the game when Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott was adjudged to have taken out Reinildo from behind as the full-back was receiving a pass just inside the area.

By avoiding defeat, Sunderland continued their unbeaten record at home this season and bounced back from their late 1-0 loss away to Fulham last weekend.

Sunderland's home record is so strong they have already collected more points at Stadium of Light this campaign (15) than they did in the whole of their last campaign in the top flight (14 points in 2016-17).

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 Bournemouth's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland make two changes. In come Chemsdine Talbi and Omar Alderete. Lutsharel Geertruida and Trai Hume drop to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Mandava, Alderete; Talbi, Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isidor.

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Geertruida, Brobbey, Rigg, Mayenda, Mundle, Adingra, Hume.

It's three changes for Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo, Adam Smith and Amine Adli all return to the starting XI. On the bench are Lewis Cook, Junior Kroupi and David Brooks.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic; Smith, Diakite, Senesi, Truffert; Adams, Scott; Semenyo, Tavernier, Adli; Evanilson.

Subs: Dennis, Cook, Soler, Brooks, Kluivert, Jimenez, Kroupi, Unal, Milosavljevic.

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

• Brentford v Burnley

• Manchester City v Leeds United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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

• Tottenham v Fulham (20:00)

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 Sunderland v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Newcastle", for instance.

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

Bournemouth have had a few injuries which might explain their drop in form and what happens here might depend on whether Antoine Semenyo is able to return for them.

Semenyo missed last week's draw with West Ham with illness and he also has an ankle problem, but without him his side still came back from 2-0 down to take a point - another result I got wrong.

One of the games I was exactly right about last week was Fulham's 1-0 win over Sunderland, but I am really not sure about how this one will go.

It feels like choosing a winner is a toss of a coin, and in those situations I usually go for a 1-1 draw.

This time, though, because of the abuse I got online from a certain Sunderland fan for what he felt was a 'stupid' prediction for the Fulham game, I am going to say Bournemouth will return to winning ways.

He accused me of being really thick for predicting a 1-0 Fulham win and while I am often quite stupid, there might be a little bit of egg on his face now.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland's Premier League journey continues as they welcome Bournemouth to the north-east. BBC Sport reflects on some of the key talking points ahead of Saturday's meeting (15:00 GMT).

This fixture represents something of a full circle moment for Sunderland supporters and match-going fans in particular will remember exactly what happened the last time they hosted Bournemouth in a league game in April 2017.

The away side edged a close game 1-0 thanks to an 88th-minute goal – a result that confirmed the Black Cats' Premier League relegation that season. A second successive demotion to League One followed immediately afterwards and what happened to the club in the intervening years is well-documented. But they are now back in the big time and sit above this weekend's opponents on goal difference in seventh.

Regis Le Bris's men were beaten at Fulham last weekend and will be pleased with a return to the Stadium of Light, which has been a stronghold this season. They are undefeated at home in the Premier League so far with three wins and three draws, picking up just two fewer points at their ground this term than they did in the whole of their previous top-flight campaign in 2016-17.

Expect rotation

Le Bris confirmed in his press conference that he will begin to shuffle his pack ahead of the congested Christmas fixture list, with Liverpool and Manchester City away next week followed by the big one – Newcastle at home.

"Our rotation will happen naturally and organically," said the head coach, who will celebrate his 50th birthday at the Etihad next Saturday. "We are now at a stage of the season where we have many games in a row in a small amount of time and organically it will happen. Players will have opportunities to play – get ready for that."

The Frenchman also found time to praise this weekend's opposition and shared his admiration for the way they have established themselves in the top flight.

"Bournemouth are a good model for us," added Le Bris. "They way they have built in the last four seasons in the league is really interesting for us."

Cherries not travelling well

Bournemouth are on a three-game winless run in the Premier League and their two defeats in that spell both came away from home.

A 3-1 defeat at Manchester City was followed by a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa and they could now lose three successive away fixtures for the first time since November 2023.

The Cherries have won just five points from 18 available on the road in the Premier League so far this season – with their only victory at Tottenham – and head coach Andoni Iraola believes his team need to be "especially good" if they are going to triumph this weekend.

"We cannot see Sunderland like a promoted team," said the 43-year-old Spaniard. "I think they have shown they are a really good team and they have a lot of experience with players coming from big clubs. They know what they're doing and what it takes to win in the Premier League."

The main positive for the south coast side is that they are unbeaten in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light, with one win and one draw from their previous two visits.

Image source, Getty Images

York City have signed defender Zak Johnson on loan from Premier League side Sunderland until January.

The 21-year-old centre-back has played four times for the Black Cats since making his debut in the EFL Trophy in 2021, when he was 16.

In joining the National League club, Johnson reunites with manager Stuart Maynard, who he played under at Notts County in League Two during the second half of last season, featuring 10 times.

He was also loaned out to National League side Hartlepool United and League of Ireland Premier Division team Dundalk during the 2023-24 season.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns, which Le Bris said is "good news" before a three-game week.

• He said there will be natural squad rotation for the next three games and has "had this conversation with the players" already.

• On bouncing back from defeat at Fulham last Saturday: It's part of our journey in the Premier League. We expected a tough game. It wasn't a surprise. It's not a concern - it is just a reminder about the level of this league. We are always able to react after defeat so I hope it will be the case once again."

• Saturday's opponents Bournemouth are "a good model for us" in "the way they have built in the last four seasons" to establish themselves as a Premier League team.

• On Sam Allardyce calling Granit Xhaka the best number six in the league: "The Premier League has many good players and midfielders. We are really happy to have a player like Granit. His level on the pitch, his standards and the way he leads are really good for our team."

• He said Sunderland "don't need to be scared" by the upcoming fixtures as they "know the challenge will be big" but are an essential part of improving.

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

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

Listen to live commentary of Sunderland v Bournemouth on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Image source, Getty Images

A Sunderland supporter who racially abused Leeds players Ethan Ampadu and Largie Ramazani has been issued with a banning order and fine.

Steven Patterson, 68, from Bishop Auckland, has been banned from attending football matches for three years after making a monkey gesture at the Leeds players at the end of their Championship game in February.

The incident was reported to the referee who passed it onto to the police.

Patterson pleaded guilty to the charge and has also been fined £346 with a cost of £85 and a surcharge of £138.

Leeds United, Ampadu and Ramazani have thanked West Yorkshire Police for their support during the process.

Sunderland and Brentford are interested in AC Milan's 24-year-old Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday, Sunderland were taught a lesson on how you cannot underestimate any opponent in the Premier League - but, also, that sometimes by showing a side too much respect you can fall flat on your face.

Fulham, despite being on an awful run of form, have only lost once at home so far this season, so are clearly a decent outfit.

Yet, given our own great start to the season, it was not unreasonable to predict we might come away with three points. Had we actually showed up, we might have stood a chance, but it was all very easy for the home side and, while they left it late to get their winning goal, the truth is that a better side would probably have punished us a lot sooner.

Sunderland were probably the sloppiest they have been all season and could not get going. It wasn't all our own doing - I thought Darren England's officiating of the game was incredibly poor, and the weather conditions meant it was never going to be a fantastic game to watch - but we can have no complaints about coming away with nothing.

You probably wouldn't have been surprised when turning on your TV on Saturday night to see that Fulham vs Sunderland was last on Match of the Day.

Why were we so poor? Tactically, we got it wrong, and I haven't been able to say that very often this season. Five at the back didn't make sense to me before the game, and even when it was apparent it wasn't working, we left it far too late to change things.

Had we been proactive and made some changes at half-time, we might actually have kicked into gear, but it all felt a bit too little, too late - and in the end, Fulham were the ones who were rewarded for their persistence and for making good substitutions.

While most of this season has felt like a dream, we are going to have the odd day where nothing goes right. It happens to the best of them - just look at the result at Anfield, where Liverpool were trounced by Nottingham Forest. There are lots of good teams at this level and if you're not at it, you will be made to pay.

We have to look positively at the next one, as another tough test awaits us on Saturday when Bournemouth visit the Stadium of Light. Nothing can be gained from dwelling on any lingering negativity from our trip to Craven Cottage, particularly with trips to Liverpool and Manchester City following that one.

All of a sudden, Saturday feels like a huge game - but we have to relish it. The Premier League is the best league in the world and every game is a challenge... just look at what happened to us at Fulham for proof!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Chris Wise
BBC Radio 5 Live commenator

Image source, Getty Images

It is six months today (Monday) since Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League. Since then, they have accelerated through the gears far quicker than most imagined, which is perhaps why Saturday's defeat at Fulham felt more disappointing than it otherwise would have done.

It was not a good Sunderland performance at Craven Cottage, let us be clear on that. They did not create enough, and looked defensively vulnerable. It was everything that they have not been for most of the season to date. And you know that when Granit Xhaka is not having an influence on the game, you are probably going to struggle.

So could they tweak the system and play a 4-3-3 in some away games? It felt like they were missing an extra body in midfield at times on Saturday. Nordi Mukiele stepped up the pitch at times from centre-half, but it didn't work as well against Fulham as it did against Chelsea when Lutsharel Geertruida was given a similar role.

Sunderland have earned the right to be brave and, in Regis le Bris, they have a coach who will have already identified the solutions while others are still posing the questions.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Richard: Fulham will continue to struggle to score goals unless they strengthen their squad and buy another striker.

Will: Very important win. Should have scored many more as we tormented their backline, but the finishing was very poor. However, the pressure eventually paid off and our excellent home record continues.

Jeff: Not out of the woods and Marco Silva still needs to do more to earn his contract extension. I feel a parting of the ways suits both parties in the summer.

James: Fantastic performance! We deserved to score all game and thank goodness Jimenez got the winner. Hopefully, we can bring that form to Tottenham.

Sunderland fans

Dean: Sunderland looked tired and lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. Sadly lacked the passion of previous games.

Frank: Sunderland were second best, with Fulham looked fitter and stronger. That being said, the referee and his team gave nothing to Sunderland in any 50-50 situation, stopping an attack when a Fulham striker feigned a head injury to stop the momentum of a Sunderland break. One of the assistant referees was apparently showboating to the fans. You couldn't make it up.

David: For the first time this season, we looked like a newly promoted team. Very poor.

John: Thought we looked tired, but as usual, never gave up. Fulham were good value for their win. Hopefully, we will be able to recharge the batteries for next week's home game.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Rob Green join host Mark Chapman 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:

• Newcastle 2-1 Manchester City

• Liverpool 0-3 Nottingham Forest

• Fulham 1-0 Sunderland

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris speaking to Match of the Day: "I think they deserved to win this game. They imposed their style, their strength. We expected this game. First half was okay, we had the opportunity to be more composed with the ball and have more intensity in duels. Our second ball management wasn't good enough to change the momentum. We suffered, and then we created two and three chances, but it wasn't enough. Second half, we had chances but didn't use it properly. Their subs helped them a lot to create something new, and we were a bit tired, probably.

On his side's lack of chances: "For me, the main point is our ability to be competitive in duels, second balls. We were not at the level today. They managed that situation well. They pushed, pushed, pushed and in the end, they create something."

On his side's fatigue: "It's possible, and when you play away, it's always a bit harder. Once again, we have to have this intensity and to manage this situation. You have to win at least 50% of these situations, but that was not the case today."

On moving on from the loss: "For us, we are still enjoying the Premier League. Does not mean we are happy with the result today."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have lost consecutive league games against Fulham for the first time since January 2006 (three in a row).

• Sunderland had just four attempts in the match, their fewest in a Premier League game since January 2017 against Spurs (3).

Listen to Le Bris and Hume on BBC Sounds

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

From the lack of shots to the abysmal weather, this was arguably Sunderland's poorest game since their return to the Premier League.

Sunderland had just four attempts in the match, their fewest in a Premier League game since January 2017, and would have barely deserved a point.

As often through this season, they looked to Robin Roefs to maintain a foothold in the match, and the Belgian keeper obliged with some good saves.

But the lack of chances may give manager Regis Le Bris pause for thought when it comes to deploying a 5-4-1 formation outside of games against the giants.

Versus mid-table teams like Fulham, it leaves Sunderland too lacking in chances to create and not enough openings to counter attack effectively.

And with the possibility of losing seven players during the Africa Cup of Nations looming on the horizon, these are puzzles Le Bris must find a way to solve.

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

• Have your say on Fulham's performance

• What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Marco Silva makes just one change to the Fulham side beaten 2-0 at Everton before the international break, with teenager Josh King replacing the suspended Sasa Lukic in midfield.

Fulham XI: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Berge, King; Wilson, Iwobi, Kevin; Jimenez

Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Cairney, Traore, Cuenca, Kusi-Asare, Chukwueze, Castagne, Smith Rowe

Sunderland are unchanged from the side which earned a late 2-2 draw against Arsenal, with manager Regis Le Bris sticking to a 5-4-1 formation.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Ballard, Geertruida, Reinildo; Traore, Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee; Isidor

Subs: Patterson, Neil, Talbi, Brobbey, Mayenda, O'Nien, Alderete, Adingra, Masuaku

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

• Burnley v Chelsea (12:30)

• Bournemouth v West Ham

• Brighton v Brentford

• Fulham v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Crystal Palace

• Newcastle 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 Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man City", for instance.

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