Sunderland: ‘Incredible start’ – but how did the Black Cats do it?

To put Sunderland’s start into context, it’s worth remembering how the Black Cats defied expectations to reach the top flight again.

Regis Le Press’s side finished 24 points behind Burnley and Leeds in the automatic promotion places and scored just 58 goals in 46 matches.

They needed an injury-time winner to beat Coventry in the play-off semi-finals, and were clear underdogs going into the final at Wembley against Sheffield United, who finished 14 points clear of the Black Cats.

But Sunderland showed their resilience once again, coming from behind in the final and scoring another stoppage-time winner through Tom Watson to regain their place in the top flight for the first time in eight years.

It makes the start of this season even more impressive.

The 17 points Sunderland have collected from their nine matches so far is the best equal start for the Black Cats in the Premier League, matching the tally of the 1999-00 season.

Only five newly promoted teams have taken more points from their first nine matches than Sunderland have achieved this season.

These five teams, plus Sunderland in 2000, managed to survive relegation.

“Anyone honest enough will say they never expected Sunderland to start this well, so all thanks to them,” Michael Carrick told BBC Radio 5 Live after the win over Chelsea.

“The amount of points they have already collected has given them an unbelievable start, and that is something they will want to build on.

“They looked very comfortable and calm for long periods, but they also looked dangerous. They kept that belief to get the win.

“It’s a textbook win away from home to a bigger team.”