Sunderland

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

10/10 undoubtedly. I'm so proud of what we've achieved. Given we were written off by everyone before the start of the campaign and told we'd finish bottom and go straight back down, I don't think coming seventh and qualifying for the Europa League was too bad!

Best moment and why?

In a season of unbelievable moments (and trust me, I could probably pick about 20 of them) the best was definitely celebrating our European qualification on Sunday after we beat Chelsea. Of course, beating Newcastle twice was unbelievable, but all of those little moments culminated in what we've achieved with our league finish.

Player of season and why?

Enzo le Fee. What a magician this guy is - he's been unbelievable all season and is a player that any club in Europe would love to have at their disposal.

Unsung hero and why?

Luke O'Nien. The guy played for us in League One and just marshalled a fantastic Chelsea forward line like it was no problem. He doesn't always play, but when he does, he stays ready and never lets us down.

Biggest disappointment?

There haven't been many bad days, but the biggest disappointment was the 5-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest in April. We were hopeless - thankfully it was a one-off and didn't become a habit.

What needs to change this summer?

Our squad - because we'll need quality and depth if we are going to handle the extra European fixtures. But, I don't think that'll be too much of a problem as our recruitment is very good.

Major hope for next season?

We win the Europa League - the fact I'm even uttering that sentence is crazy to me!

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Marc Webber
Final Score reporter at The Stadium of Light

Image source, Getty Images

"As your captain, I can promise you, this is just the beginning and we want more."

Of all the cheers heard at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, those words from Granit Xhaka to the crowd after the game probably garnered the loudest.

To many, Xhaka embodies the determined attitude Sunderland has shown to silence this season's nay-sayers who had them down for instant relegation.

It is a narrative that has always come from his lips.

He told a season-opening press conference "we're not just here to make up the numbers".

In all those interviews, he has been as convincing as any top salesman and he has backed that talk up with stellar leadership on the pitch.

So, you cannot fail to buy in to his conviction that Sunderland will be a force in Europe next season.

But it is not just what the players have done which turned the club from play-off winners to European jet-setters in 365 days.

The youngest chairman in European elite football - 28-year-old Swiss businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus - rolled the dice and spent on a bigger squad to ensure they stayed in the top flight.

Some will say that was a gamble. Especially those fans with decent memories who recall Sunderland's recent history of financial turbulence.

But that Swiss stereotype of being good at cautious investments has paid dividends.

It would be hard to see them not repeating the ethos as they head back into the transfer market to bolster their squad for Europe with the proceeds of a Premier League season in the bank account.

Worried Wearsiders were hard to find in the bars around the ground on Sunday night. But there were a couple.

One fan leaving the ground afterwards said to me: "Clubs haven't been able to work us out this season. But they've played us now, so they will. It will be harder next season."

Another said: "It might be a stretch going to Europe. I've seen what happened to Nottingham Forest and even Tottenham. It dragged them down the league."

But those are minority views. The glee emitting from the fans outshone the Sun in Sunderland on Sunday and backs up the belief from their chief hype-man, Xhaka, that the best is yet to come.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, ex-Premier League players Joe Hart and Andros Townsend agreed that Sunderland's signing of Granit Xhaka has helped the club qualify for the Europa League.

Hart said: "That's a club that have gone for it. They have built an absolute fortress at home.

"Granit Xhaka stood out for me. A brilliant top move."

The 33-year-old missed four league games for the Wearside club and captained Regis Le Bris' side in his first season at Sunderland.

Townsend added: "Everyone wants a youth, youth, youth and players they can sell on.

"But if you look at Sunderland and Brentford with Jordan Henderson, you need one or two players who have that Premier League experience, that leadership to be able to guide the young, exciting players through."

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

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has praised the club's hierarchy for showing a "real desire and concentrated effort" this season, after the Black Cats qualified for Europa League football just four years on from being in League One.

It is also the first time Sunderland have qualified for European football in 53 years.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle about the achievement, Gabbiadini said: "It has been difficult watching our biggest rivals going to and performing well in huge matches [on the European stage], and even coming away with the plaudits.

"Sunderland have obviously won the local derby trophy for so many years, but now the European football question mark has been answered.

"The club is making steps to becoming a regular top 10 team in the Premier League, that is what the plan is heading towards.

"It won't be easy to do though, because that middle sixth to 12th place in the league is probably the tightest area.

"You can win a couple of games on the bounce, like Sunderland did, and you can just fly up the league - and obviously vice-versa if you lose a couple of games on the bounce.

"It was a fantastic way to finish the season but hopefully this is 'only the beginning', as Granit Xhaka said in his speech on the field.

"The fact the club still wants more is really, really exciting. There seems to be a real desire and concentrated effort to make that happen. It has been a while since we have been in a position like this."

Listen to the full conversation above or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 19th

Humble pie for me here. What a magnificent achievement to go from relegation tips - including my own - to qualifying for Europe.

Sunderland defied all the odds and predictions with an outstanding season back in the Premier League under the calm and understated, but very shrewd, guidance of Regis le Bris. He should be in any manager of the season conversation.

It is reward too for Sunderland's owners, who set out a bold transfer strategy last summer which was designed to stay in the Premier League.

Huge credit to all involved. Europe, here they come.

What I said in August: "Integrating so many new signings may actually prove a problem."

Check out the rest of my review here

Ex-Sunderland defender Danny Collins has said Regis le Bris' side have "proved everybody wrong" this season, as they secured European football for the first time in 53 years.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "What a season it has been. Coming into the season everybody thought they would be in a dog fight at the wrong end of the table."

BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes, describing the incredible atmosphere after Sunday's win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, added: "Sunderland is ablaze, red and white smoke blowing everywhere. What an afternoon, what an achievement."

Hit play above to hear the full clip, or listen here on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Luke O'Nien spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Sunderland qualified for the Europa League: "What these boys have achieved, I am unbelievably proud.

"Six weeks or so ago, we had a chat among us. We knew we were safe but we wanted more. We had an internal chat. We are quietly confident lads and we were looking at Europe. We put our neck on the line and said that out loud in the group to have our standards higher.

"We are a good team, but the way we turned in to a top team was from the standards and training intensity. We set ourselves a goal and we trained like we were in Europe.

"Am I surprised at where we are? Yes - but also no because of the level the boys showed all season, especially in the past six weeks when we knew what was at stake."

• Listen to O'Nien by hitting play below or here on BBC Sounds

• Access more Sunderland audio

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Today I woke up proud. Slightly broken, slightly sunburnt, and with a knackered throat from all the screaming (and, well, inhaling red smoke!), but immensely proud of all that we have achieved this season.

The atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light was the best I have ever experienced on Sunday. Everyone understood the assignment and what we could achieve if the stars aligned and we gave it our best effort, and the end result was something no other Sunderland team has ever achieved through a league finish — we're off to Europe.

I cried many happy tears after the final whistle. I was emotionally drained and empty, yet my heart was so full.

Thank you Kyril. Thank you Regis. Thank you Granit. Thank you Luke. Thank you all - we are so grateful for everything that you've given us.

Now - let's get those passports renewed. HAWAY!

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We asked for your views on Sunderland securing Europa League football in their first season back in the top-flight.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: Can't believe we've actually done it. Qualified not just for Europe but the Europa League. Mr Le Bris must get manager of the season. 53 years since we were in Europe - what an achievement. So, so proud of this club.

Matt: Sat in a pub outside Wembley last year wondering how on earth we'd stay up this season. Can't believe it. Haway the lads.

Keith: The mission: 1. Stay up - job done. 2. Beat Newcastle - job done. Qualify for Europe, oh wow, what a season! Well done the lads!!

Jura: When I saw this fixture at the beginning of the season I sensed it would be significant, but for a different reason. This game was us at our best, we played our socks off and we absolutely deserved this win and our place in Europe.

Neville: When they won promotion, I feared a quick return after such a long absence from the Premier League. I have never been happier to be proved wrong - and with European football as a bonus for next season! So well done the lads and the manager.

Keith: Being a Sunderland fan since a boy, this is my proudest moment. It is a magnificent achievement for the club and every single supporter should feel proud too.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland spent £161m on 15 new players after gaining promotion to the Premier League.

The season before, the three promoted sides - Leicester, Southampton and Ipswich - spent a combined £276.5m but returned to the Championship with the lowest combined points total of relegated sides in Premier League history.

Essentially, spending big is no guarantee of survival. But spending big and spending well is what Sunderland achieved.

"A lot of players came in last summer and there were questions, but Le Bris created that culture and philosophy," said former England striker Ellen White on BBC Final Score.

He has managed to seamlessly embed those signings into his system and extract the best from them - creating a squad that looks far greater than the sum of its parts.

Brian Brobbey, signed from Ajax for a reported £21.6m fee, has proved a key addition up front with a club-high seven Premier League goals, while France defender Nordi Mukiele, who joined from Paris St-Germain, has brought leadership and experience.

The £13m fee they paid for Granit Xhaka looks like a steal now as the former Arsenal man has dictated in midfield, while goalkeeper Robin Roefs has been outstanding.

Noah Sadiki's energy and skilful ball-carrying ability have also been crucial, underlining Sunderland's smart recruitment as they built a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

With Europa League added to their schedule next season, the test now is whether Sunderland can carry this momentum on to the continental stage.

Read more about the Black Cats' European qualification here

Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

European football returns to Sunderland for the first time in 53 years as an impressive Premier League campaign comes to a close.

This time last year, the Black Cats were at Wembley for the Championship play-off final and now they have achieved the unthinkable with a top-eight finish.

The Europa League awaits...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris, speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: "It's amazing. Outstanding. The stadium is crazy now and the fans deserve this. The planets aligned today but we needed to do the job and it was good management at the end. We were only focused on our game, not even at half-time.

"It's a massive collective achievement. What we showed last season and this was being together. We can be ambitious but we have to work hard. The fans are really important - they are a huge part of this club. It's a community and we are proud to represent them."

Black Cats goalscorer Trai Hume speaking to BBC Match Of The Day: " A steward came and tried to show us the other scores on his phone but the 4G didn't work but then we found out we had done it. It hasn't sunk in yet. Coming up to the start of the season I don't think anyone gave us a chance to stay up let alone Europe.

"We've worked our socks off and fully deserve that. A special mention to the fans who are the heartbeat of the club and they have been through some tough times. We work really hard through the week. The fans are amazing and they gave us the extra boost. This is their home and we go out and work our socks off for them.

"Last year was emotional for me as it was a dream to play in the Premier League. I didn't think we could get here and make Europe but we have done it. We will give it everything next season."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Sunderland won 54 Premier League points this season, the most by a newly promoted side since Leeds United in 2020-21 (59 points), while their seventh place finish is the best by a newly promoted team since Wolves in 2018-19 (seventh).

• The Black Cats are one of just three sides that didn't lose a single Premier League game when scoring first in 2025-26 (P13 W8 D5), alongside Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"Let's party."

That was the shout from the stadium announcer when telling the home supporters their team had qualified for the Europa League.

In truth, the party had been ongoing hours before kick-off but it was bedlam by the end of the match, as fans held heads in hands in disbelief at their remarkable achievement.

It is only four years since the Black Cats were in League One, with Luke O'Nien and Trai Hume having been with them throughout the journey and combining here for the first goal.

This is also a team that was cleverly improved in a £163m summer transfer spend last year.

Having only gone up via the Championship play-offs, it is little surprise many predicted Sunderland would struggle.

In each of the previous two campaigns, all three promoted teams were relegated straight back to the Championship, so it would have been understandable if Sunderland had simply been content with finishing 17th.

However, despite playing down expectations of European qualification, head coach Regis le Bris – supported by owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and the club's aggressive recruitment strategy – has led the club into new territory.

Through the performances of captain Granit Xhaka and exciting new signings like Brian Brobbey, Lutsharel Geertruida and Robin Roefs, this side broke new ground.

They have become the first newly promoted team since Wolves in 2020, and only the fifth in the Premier League era, to qualify for Europe in the season after promotion.

It means Sunderland will return to continental competition for the first time in a generation, sparking jubilant scenes among supporters after a tense victory over one of England's biggest and wealthiest clubs.

It is undoubtedly a special time to be a Sunderland supporter, with trips to the continent to look forward to next season.

Sunderland have secured European football in their first season back in the Premier League after ending the campaign with a win at home to Chelsea.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Luke O'Nien starts ahead of Omar Alderete in defence for Sunderland.

That's the only change made by manager Regis le Bris for the final match of the season taking place at the Stadium of Light from the 3-1 away win at Everton last weekend.

Alderete is among the substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Geertruida, Mukiele, O'Nien, Mandova, Xhaka, Sadiki, Hume, Le Fee, Angulo, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Alderete, Cirkin, Mayenda, Rigg, Diarra, Traore, Isador, Ta Bi

Chelsea make three changes from the team that beat Tottenham on Tuesday, including drafting striker Joao Pedro back in ahead of Liam Delap.

Levi Colwill also returns to the backline as Calum McFarlane switches back to a three man defence again.

Malo Gusto comes in at wing-back with Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong also dropping back onto the bench.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Fofana, Colwill, Hato, Gusto, Caicedo, Fernandez, Cucurella, Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Chalobah, James, Derry, Essugo, Santos, Garnacho, Delap

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

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 Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

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

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle Sunderland commentator

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It's the Radio 1 Big Weekend in Sunderland and it's even bigger weekend for the city's football club, who on Sunday face Chelsea in a match that IF they win and the results at Liverpool or Brighton - or indeed both - go their way, could be playing European football for the first time in 53 years.

The tantalising prospect of a Conference League final in Istanbul, or even a Europa League final in Frankfurt, would have seemed idiotic if the idea had been mooted to Sunderland fans last summer after the exultation of their dramatic Championship play-off final win.

Finishing 17th was the only thing on most fans' minds. Now, though, every conversation with a Sunderland supporter begins with talk of qualifying for Europe.

Chelsea, of course, stand in their way, the current holders of the Conference League title. But, Sunderland have a tendency to keep going 'til the end and in front of a sell-out crowd at the Stadium of Light, which will be rocking on the final afternoon of the season, you can't write off Regis le Bris' team.

Despite Chelsea's superior record at the Stadium of Light, the stark fact is just one point separates the two teams and, with Le Bris' side showing an intensity and energy in recent weeks, you would not rule out an urgent review of passport expiry dates and a reappraisal of a European map long left to gather dust in the loft.

Explore Sunderland content on BBC Sounds

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have already guaranteed at least a top-seven finish, meaning they will either qualify for the Champions League or Europa League.

At present, sixth and seventh will qualify for Uefa's second-tier competition because of Manchester City winning the FA Cup and England winning one of two Elite Performance Spots (EPS).

If English clubs get six Champions League spots, they will lose a Europa League spot in exchange. That would mean only seventh place would qualify for the Europa League.

Brighton are currently seventh and have a one-point advantage over Chelsea and Brentford, the two teams directly below them.

A win for the Seagulls would guarantee them Europa League football at least.

If Brighton fail to win and Chelsea win at Sunderland, the Blues would overtake Albion.

Chelsea can also overtake Brighton with a draw, if Brighton were to lose by two goals and Brentford fail to win at Anfield.

Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven. For that to happen, they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.

What about Conference League qualification?

It is a similar story in qualification for the one place available for the play-off qualifying round of next season's Conference League.

Chelsea are in eighth and currently possess that available spot. Eighth place qualifies for the Conference League because of City winning the EFL Cup and the EPS to an English club.

Chelsea will secure European football in at least the Conference League with a win over Sunderland.

Brentford will secure a top-eight finish if they better Chelsea's result.

Sunderland in 10th would leapfrog both if they beat Chelsea and Brentford drop points.

Sunderland will finish above Chelsea if they win this and that would hardly count as a surprise.

The Black Cats come into this game off the back of beating Everton away and another win here would secure a top-10 finish and, possibly, European football.

That is what Chelsea are playing for too, after that run of six straight league defeats saw them fall away from the Champions League places.

Chelsea got a good win over Tottenham on Tuesday but I am expecting this to be close, and I can see it ending up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland and Chelsea collide on the final day with plenty on the line. The Black Cats are chasing a European spot, while Chelsea are desperate to sign off on a high after a disappointing season.

Sunderland eye European breakthrough

Sunderland's season has already exceeded expectations. Promoted via last year's play offs, they sit 10th and still have a chance of climbing to seventh. Victory would take them to 54 points and move them above Chelsea and potentially securing European football next season.

Their 2–1 win at Stamford Bridge in October remains one of the standout results of their campaign.

Completing a first league double over Chelsea since 2000–01 would underline the progress made under Regis Le Bris, who has been shortlisted for the manager of the season awards.

Resilience has been a defining feature. Sunderland have recovered 22 points from losing positions — the most in the Premier League — and that ability to stay in matches was evident again in their 3–1 win at Everton last weekend.

Another victory would give them back to back league wins for only the third time this season.

They are also only the fifth promoted side in the past 16 years to reach the 50 point mark, joining Wolves, Sheffield United, Leeds and Fulham.

Final days have not always been kind to Sunderland, though. They have won just one of their 16 previous Premier League season finales.

Chelsea look to finish with momentum

Chelsea's 2–1 win over Tottenham on Tuesday ended a run of seven league matches without a victory. It offered a glimpse of improvement in a season marked by inconsistency and managerial change.

Xabi Alonso will not be in the dugout at the Stadium of Light, but the incoming manager will be watching closely as he assesses the squad he inherits.

For now, Chelsea have the chance to record consecutive league wins for the first time since early in the year.

Their record away at Sunderland is strong, with just one defeat in their last 13 league visits.

Individual performances have also shown signs of progress: Enzo Fernandez is enjoying his most productive Premier League campaign, while João Pedro has been directly involved in seven goals across his last nine appearances.