Brobbey replaced by Zirkzee in Netherlands squadpublished at 12:08 BST 25 September
12:08 BST 25 September
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Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey has been replaced by Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee in the Netherlands' squad for the remainder of the international break.
Brobbey, who has been named in Regis le Bris' starting XI for every Premier League fixture so far this season, was forced off with an apparent muscle injury in the first half of the Netherlands' 1-1 draw with Germany on Thursday.
The 24-year-old will return to Sunderland for treatment.
Le Fee 'a huge asset' to Black Cats - Gabbiadinipublished at 10:08 BST 25 September
10:08 BST 25 September
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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says Enzo le Fee "is a huge asset" to the Black Cats after the attacking midfielder signed a new deal until 2031.
Le Fee, who joined permanently from Roma following promotion to the Premier League, has scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in 64 appearances for the club.
"It's good news because there has been a lot of anxiety around Brian Brobbey and Le Fee's recent performances, with people asking whether Sunderland can keep hold of them," said Gabbiadini on BBC Radio Newcastle.
"He's one of those players that is just a fans' favourite because of the quality that he brings and the character he shows on the field.
"He's quite a calm person, but when he gets on the field he wants to express himself and be on the ball to play those killer passes that quite often slice open defences.
"He's a huge asset to Sunderland and him signing was a real turning point in the club's progress.
"Is he going to be here for the next four years? I really hope so, but if he carries on the trajectory he's on at the moment then it would mean the club would have to constantly be in European spots.
"Players are ambitious and they want to play at the highest level. They want to test themselves against the best. But that's the more cold-hearted view on it and we just need to see what happens."
How do you feel about Sunderland's start to the season?published at 15:24 BST 24 September
15:24 BST 24 September
As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games in the Premier League.
Regis le Bris' side have lost three of their first five games - winning just once - but those include spirited performances in defeat against Manchester City and Arsenal.
They sit 14th going into the extended break and the Black Cats also won their Europa League opener to make a victorious start to their first European campaign for 53 years.
How do you rate the Black Cats' start to the season and why? And what should Le Bris be focusing on during the extended break?
'Contract deals as important as transfers' - fans on Le Fee extending his staypublished at 17:15 BST 23 September
17:15 BST 23 September
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We asked for your views on the importance for Sunderland to tie Enzo le Fee down to a new contract and how you would rate his time at the club so far.
Here are some of your comments:
Dave: He's our most creative player. He could play for any of the top clubs in the Premier League, he's that good! And we are very lucky he's signed a new long-term deal. The club are really doing everything to progress our club and we as supporters should continue to support and believe in what they are doing.
Andrew: Great news for both club and player. More wages and bonuses for the player and a longer contract, so clubs have to pay more to buy him.
Jura: Enzo is a massively talented player who is consistent and continuously improving. He has superb close control, he can receive the ball under high pressure and spin away on a dime, then thread defence-splitting through-balls, and that's without mentioning his dribbling and dead-ball skills. He's a massive asset to our club.
Ged: He just gets better and better! Nobody is going to move him out of his current position. Can you think of a better Sunderland player in that position ever??
Josh: Huge part of our squad, these contract deals are as important as transfers.
Sunderland penalty incorrect but VAR right not to step in - panelpublished at 14:48 BST 23 September
14:48 BST 23 September
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
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The penalty awarded to Sunderland against Arsenal earlier this month should not have been given, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has ruled.
However, the KMI panel also felt the error did not reach the threshold for a video assistant referee intervention.
Referee John Brooks pointed to the spot in the 54th minute for a holding offence by Ezri Konsa on Dan Ballard, but Gunners goalkeeper David Raya then saved Enzo le Fee's spot-kick.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was furious after the match, even though his side went on to win the game 2-0, saying the match "was unprotected".
"We have a lot of cameras and VAR, we have to take responsibility to protect the game.
"Today the game was unprotected and it could have cost us the game and the momentum which is a really, really serious thing."
The five members of the KMI panel unanimously voted that the spot-kick should not have been given, with a split 3:2 vote in support of no VAR review.
"Although it was a very untidy challenge in which Konsa initially had arms around Ballard, Ballard engages in a holding action which pulls Konsa onto him so they both fall to the floor," the KMI panel noted.
"The non-VAR intervention was supported, with the majority considering that the on-field decision was not a clear and obvious error, given the combined actions from both players."
It is possible for the KMI panel to reach what would appear to be contradictory judgements.
The vote on the on-field call assesses what the best outcome should be.
But the VAR vote considers whether the on-field call can be justified, taking into account what the referee has seen and the available replays.
'Just the beginning' - have your say on Le Fee's new dealpublished at 13:00 BST 23 September
13:00 BST 23 September
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Sunderland's Enzo le Fee says "this is just the beginning" of his journey with the club after signing a new deal until 2031.
Le Fee joined the Black Cats initially on loan from Roma in January 2025, making the move permanent in the summer after Regis le Bris' side achieved promotion to the Premier League.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in 64 appearances for the club, including the Sunderland's first European goal in 53 years in their Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar earlier in September.
"I'm really happy to have signed a new contract with Sunderland," said Le Fee.
"From the moment I arrived, I've felt the passion of the supporters and the ambition of everyone at the club - I've loved my time here.
"We've achieved something special together over the past couple of seasons, but I believe this is just the beginning. I feel very settled here and I'm excited to continue developing, competing at the highest level and helping the club move forward.
"I'm very proud to wear the Sunderland shirt and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together in the years ahead."
Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi added: "Enzo is a very important player for us, but also an important person within our group.
"He has quality, intelligence and personality, but what we value just as much is his humility and the way he represents Sunderland every day."
Sunderland fans, how important was securing Le Fee's future at the club? Does it show the ambition of the hierarchy? And how would you rate his time on Wearside so far?
Brobbey goals come from 'a bit of confidence'published at 09:17 BST 22 September
09:17 BST 22 September
Media caption,
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini is confident that, with confidence, forward Brian Brobbey will continue to score goals.
The 24-year-old bagged a hat-trick against Manchester City for the Black Cats on Sunday, but was still on the losing side.
Brobbey, who was at the World Cup with the Netherlands in the summer, scored seven Premier League goals last season, but had failed to find the net in the first four games of this campaign.
"They were not spectacular goals - it was good finishing and being in the right place," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"It was a good performance, as there has been a lot of talk about his goals output. He's the type of player who has scored goals in the past.
"His ratio would be one in two, one in three, in his best spells. It can happen and he just needs a bit of confidence.
"He may need to score the odd spectacular goal and trust his shooting more - those goals that come from nothing."
'Mistakes were punished' in 'breathtaking' gamepublished at 14:03 BST 21 September
14:03 BST 21 September
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Although Sunderland's players trudged off the Etihad Stadium pitch with zero points to add to their league total, they had arguably helped produce the game of the season so far.
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes said: "We witnessed a classic. Breathtaking. Breathless. You couldn't take your eye off this game."
Meanwhile, former Black Cats defender Gary Bennett described Manchester City's 5-3 victory as "a great advert for the Premier League" and "two teams going at it with quality football".
He added: "We know where we have gone wrong. Mistakes were punished - simple as that. Going forward, we have caused them problems and that's the encouraging thing.
"Last week, we gave Arsenal a game and we gave Manchester City a game. If we perform like this and cut the mistakes out, we won't be far wrong. We have come away with a lot of positives."
One of those positives was Brian Brobbey's hat-trick, which moved him into joint third on the Premier League's top-scorers list.
Only City's Erling Haaland (five) and Liverpool's Alexander Isak (four) have scored more in the top flight this season.
Man City 5-3 Sunderland - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:04 BST 21 September
12:04 BST 21 September
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Sunderland
Here are some of your comments:
Man City fans
Youssef: We fought, we battled, we won. What a perfect performance by the lads and what a magnificent way to capitalise on Arsenal's loss yesterday and secure ourselves at the top of the table.
Owain: Brilliant going forward but suspect at the back. Sunderland were a credit and gave us a real test. Brian Brobbey will be a very good player in the near future. Thought we were pressurised and our passes went astray too often. We now have three good wide options. I like Enzo Fernandez, and I hope the Semenyo-distracted will leave him alone. Looked very impressive and deserved his player of the match.
Robert: Absolute credit to Sunderland who came to the Etihad to play football and not put 10-men behind the ball. They made this game what it was, very entertaining and worth watching.
Phil: Didn't want to sign Enzo, but what a player. Him and Elliott Anderson were outstanding.
Sunderland fans
Stuart: Although our defending was poor, the way we went toe-to-toe with City and caused them so many problems makes me proud. I think a lot of neutrals will enjoy watching Sunderland this season.
Mason: A swashbuckling approach that took City by surprise. Individual defensive errors cost Sunderland but overall it was a performance which showed they could go toe-to-toe with the best. Cut out those mistakes and it will soon click.
Mark: Another incredibly spirited display - my goodness, this team has character. The results will come.
David: Can't believe Sunderland have only four points - not many teams will come to the Etihad and score three! They have got the verve, commitment and fire-power to have a really good season. Keep trying, Mackems!
Sunderland 'made it very tough' - Semenyopublished at 09:42 BST 21 September
09:42 BST 21 September
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Former Sunderland and current Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunday's 5-3 win over the Black Cats: "We knew if we controlled them as much as we can we could get the three points.
"It wasn't easy. They made it very, very tough for us.
"We're building a culture and still adjusting, but we're all happy. It's togetherness and sticking together.
"The message from the manager is to win and be at the top of the table by the end of the game."
On netting twice against his former side, he added: "It's crazy. It's so long since I played for them, but happy to win."
Man City 5-3 Sunderland: How the players ratedpublished at 20:05 BST 20 September
20:05 BST 20 September
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Sunderland starting XI:
Robin Roefs: Will be disappointed for the first goal. Tried to anticipate Enzo Fernandez sending in a cross but instead found himself being beaten at his near post. 4
Nordi Mukiele: A tough game up against Antoine Semenyo, who scored twice. 5
Kevin Danso: Poor clearance contributed to Manchester City winning the ball back high up the pitch for Cherki's goal. 5
Dan Ballard: Part of a backline that conceded three goals in the opening 45 minutes. 5
Dayann Methalie: Booked inside 10 minutes of his Premier League debut and given a difficult game by Iliman Ndiaye. 5
Granit Xhaka: The skipper helped his side get back on level terms twice in the game, but ultimately went home with nothing. 6
Noah Sadiki: Eyes opened up when he found space to shoot after darting forward, but blazed his effort high and wide. 6
Thomas Meunier: The former Belgium international could have had a shot for the second goal but instead laid it on a plate for Brian Brobbey to finish. 7
Enzo le Fee: The French passmaster fizzed a lovely ball into the feet of Brobbey for Sunderland's equaliser and his cleverly disguised pass led to his side's second. 8
Nilson Angulo: Could have made a name for himself but scuffed a golden chance wide in the opening five minutes. Provided the assist for Brobbey's third goal. 6
Brian Brobbey: The hat-trick hero. Three finishes from close range but the Dutchman will be gutted at leaving with the match ball but no points. 10
Sunderland substitutes:
Malick Fofana (on 60, Angulo): Unable to showcase his talent in the half an hour he was on the field. 6
Wilson Isidor (on 68, Sadiki): Regis Le Bris went for it with two up top but the Haitian could not find a goal. 6
Man City 5-3 Sunderland: What Le Bris saidpublished at 17:37 BST 20 September
17:37 BST 20 September
Media caption,
Sunderland boss, Regis le Bris speaking to Sky Sports: "No compromise with our identity. I think we are really proud to play our football. We went toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in Europe today.
"We created many chances and any small error or mistake gets punished at this level. This is the reality of the Premier League and we have to learn.
"The team is really resilient and the belief is high about our qualities and the way we can hurt the opponents. We are a bit frustrated because we came here with the belief to win.
"We are happy with the squad, with the mentality and with the way we're playing. Obviously we knew it was a tough start against many strong teams so it's not a surprise to have four points after five games."
On Brian Brobbey's hat-trick: "It's really positive for a striker, when you don't score it's still possible to tell the story differently but for us it is really clear that he is a good striker and he's getting better game after game. It's just a question of time."
On Elliot Anderson's potential handball in the penalty area: "It was hard to see that as not a handball. It is what it is and we have to accept the decision. It's hard to comment."
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey is just the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against the side starting the day top of the table, after Robbie Fowler v Aston Villa in November 1998, Dirk Kuyt v Manchester United in March 2011, and Romelu Lukaku v Manchester United in May 2013.
Brobbey for Sunderland today was the sixth instance of a player scoring a Premier League hat-trick but ending the match on the losing side, and the first since Roque Santa Cruz for Blackburn Rovers against Wigan Athletic in December 2007.
Sunderland have now scored in each of their last nine Premier League away matches, their longest run of scoring on the road in the competition.
Analysis: Positives but no pointspublished at 16:59 BST 20 September
16:59 BST 20 September
Sam Drury BBC Sport journalist
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It has been quite the week for Sunderland - a victory on their return to European competition on Wednesday bookended by games against the Premier League's top two.
Given the way in which they have acquitted themselves, the Black Cats can rightly feel aggrieved not to have taken even a solitary point from those two league fixtures.
At the Etihad, they started well and Nilson Angulo had a good chance to put them in front before Enzo Fernandez ensured Manchester City's first attack brought a goal.
Rather that feeling sorry for themselves, Sunderland - in what became a theme of the game - rallied immediately and took the game to their hosts.
Time and again they took blows and came back fighting. Even after going 5-3 down late on, Regis le Bris' men would not give in and had either Dan Ballard or Malick Fofana converted clear chances, things could have become very nervy for City in the closing moments.
The nature of the goals conceded will frustrate the Sunderland boss but the performance provides plenty of reason for optimism - maintain this level and the points will surely come.
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Sutton's predictions: Man City v Sunderlandpublished at 11:00 BST 20 September
11:00 BST 20 September
Sunderland are a really good team and, on their day, they are more than a match for anyone.
The Black Cats are strong and robust, and when they get after teams and press you then they are phenomenal.
All of that makes me think this is a really hard game for Manchester City.
Their derby victory was a brilliant win, and Enzo Maresca's biggest result as their manager so far with the way they did it.
Iliman Ndiaye showed what a good signing he is when he came on for Rayan Cherki in the second half at Old Trafford, in terms of offering a different profile.
Cherki's more of an inside forward, as a number 10 or playing narrow, and he's a guy you think you couldn't get the ball off in a telephone box.
Ndiaye, though, will do more work going back and is also more of a ball carrier, so he was exactly what City needed when they went a man down.
Manchester United can feel hard done by because City's winner should have been disallowed, but the visitors were the better team with 10 men.
This will be a very different task for Maresca's men, with the emphasis on them breaking down the Black Cats, but I don't feel it will just be one-way traffic.
I still think City will find a way, though, and they need to for the sake of the title race. They already seem to be the only team capable of keeping pace with Arsenal.
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