Sunderland

If you're looking for something to get you in the groove before Sunderland's final Premier League game of the season, BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend has you covered.

The annual three-day festival will take to Sunderland's Herrington Country Park, which is just a 14-minute drive from the Stadium of Light, with chart-toppers Fatboy Slim, Olivia Dean and Zara Larsson ready to take to the stage.

BBC Radio 1's Maia Beth has been spinning back-to-back north east anthems to warm-up to the ultimate 'Big Weekend' for sport and music fans. What's not to like!

To hear the 30-minute mix listen on BBC Sounds

But all of this chat has us wondering: which Black Cats player - past or present - would you take as your festival plus-one?

Let us know your pick and your reasoning here

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris' efforts to ensure all of his first-team players have a "very strong bond" is "no mean achievement", says BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes.

If the Black Cats win their final fixture of the season and results elsewhere go in their favour, they could secure European football for next season, despite only winning promotion to the Premier League from the Championship last term.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Barnes said: "It is interesting to see the spirit in this team, especially considering what they have forged [in these past few campaigns].

"For example, Simon Adingra went out on loan earlier this season and you just got the impression he didn't fit into the culture.

"There is obviously a very strong bond amongst the players, and I think the club will continue to do their due diligence on all incoming players to make sure they will integrate [into the current squad].

"Bearing in mind the number of countries that are represented in Sunderland's dressing room as well, being able to integrate everybody is no mean achievement."

Hear the full conversation by pressing play above or listen on BBC Sounds

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes Enzo Le Fee is an "almost perfect player" at Premier League level because of his ability on the ball, as well as his workrate off it.

Le Fee helped his side take all three points with a goal against Everton on Sunday, keeping the Black Cats in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe on the last day of the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "He's not surprised me at all. Last season, when he came in, you could tell he had that quality and that calmness.

"When he gets the ball, he does things so quickly, like when he set up [Brian] Brobbey with that through ball. The ball goes to him and, as a player, you sort of have this sometimes when things slow down. It used to happen to me as a striker. You feel the ball comes to you and it goes in slow motion, but you're doing things very quickly and Le Fee's the same. He gets the ball, his first touch is always perfect, so his second touch is making the pass and he's very clever.

"He was a surprise signing last January for a player who had a big move to Roma, it hadn't quite worked out for him and we really, really capitalised on it. When we got promoted, I think it was one of the first things that people looked at was that we had a clause that we'd definitely sign him for this season.

"Right from the start of the season, I said I think he's the player you have to get in the side whatever way you can.

"He's not the biggest, he probably bucks the trend of the Premier League right now with big physical players, but class on the ball trumps that every time.

"He has the work rate, he has the tenacity, he wins headers and he wins tackles, so he has that as well, which makes him almost the perfect player at this level."

Listen to the full clip above or on BBC Sounds and find more Sunderland content here

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunday's trip to take on Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium was probably one of my favourite away days.

The sun was shining, the Guinness was flowing and Sunderland turned up once again when it mattered most.

We have recovered more points from losing positions than any other Premier League team, demonstrating the incredible mentality of our squad in adversity.

Despite going behind against the run of play just before half-time, we came out in the second period even more determined to succeed, and we got the job done because of a fantastic team effort.

Three goals, three points and a week to prepare for one of the biggest games in our history - a face-off at the Stadium of Light with Chelsea where, if we win and results go our way, we could finish inside the top eight and qualify for Europe.

Now we have to get ready. There's a big team effort required to ensure that the fans and the players work in unison so that, come full-time, we know we've done all we can to reach that goal.

Hey, we might not qualify even if we do win, but all we can do is hope for the best.

This has been an unbelievable season and, as I wrote a few weeks ago, I wouldn't write Sunderland off just yet.

We're capable of the sublime... and the ridiculous!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Netherlands centre-back Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, is keen to continue playing in the Premier League next season amid interest from Everton. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Sunderland "staying true to their principles" has been key to a fine season that has taken them to the verge of European football.

In their return to the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, the Black Cats go into the final day with a chance of playing in Europe for the first time since 1973.

"Fantastic, a really great story," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"I've had to deal with so many conversations about how the Premier League is too strong now for teams coming up from the Championship - the three that come up go down, and I've always been against that.

"I've always felt that it's the identity that the teams that come up have. Some of these teams when they get into the Premier League change and suddenly try and act all Hollywood instead of sticking with what got them there and trying to evolve from there.

"That is what Sunderland did. They recruited lots of players with experience, they went in there with no fear, stayed true to their principles, and didn't try and play total football and act like they've been in the Premier league forever.

"You have to earn the right and they have earned the right and the season they have had has been absolutely amazing. That should give hope to other teams who come up to say, 'you can achieve that if you do the right footballing things with the right footballing principles'."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland still have a chance of European qualification, but regardless it is important not to forget the incredible season they have had in their first season back in the Premier League since 2016-17.

The Black Cats have become just the fifth out of 48 promoted sides to reach 50 points in the last 16 years - after Wolves in 2018-19, Sheffield United in 2019-20, Leeds in 2020-21 and Fulham in 2022-23.

Regis Le Bris' side are just the fourth play-off winners ever to reach 50 points - and the first for 20 years after Blackburn in 1992-93 (62 points in a 42-game season), Ipswich in 2000-01 (66) and West Ham in 2005-06 (55).

Only one of the previous 11 sides that came up via the play-offs reached the 40-point mark, never mind 50! (Brentford won 46 points in 2021-22)

Le Bris' side have won the most points from losing positions in the Premier League this season (22).

Sunday's win at Everton is the 10th time they've come from behind to take something in a game.

Leeds could also reach 50 points - if they win at West Ham on the final day, we'd see two promoted sides reach 50 points in a single season for just the 3rd time in Premier League history - after Ipswich (66) and Charlton (52) in 2000-01 and West Ham (55) and Wigan (51) in 2005-06.

This is your Sunderland page. Come back for news, fan opinions, audio and more.

Tom Gayle MOTD Commentator at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Whether or not Sunderland's season ends with European football being secured, it's been a standout campaign which will live long in the memory.

How many people, especially after the dramatic Championship play-off final victory almost 12 months ago, could have predicted Sunderland would go on to clock over 50 points in their return to the top flight, following an eight year absence? Not many.

One of those select few was Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. A win at home this Sunday against Chelsea will see the Black Cats achieve his long-stated ambition of a top-10 finish.

For me the team's standout trait has been their resilience. Turning losing positions into points has been a consistent theme. Their victory at Hill Dickinson is the fifth time they come from behind to win a league game this season, with three of those coming on the road. Great entertainment for any neutral, but it must be a nerve shredding watch at times for their own supporters.

Some 28 of Sunderland's league goals have been scored in the second half, which equates to a whopping 70% of their overall total of 40. On route to beating Everton, Jordan Pickford's first save didn't come until the 48th minute. They appear to be living up to the adage of "it takes us a half to get going".

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Everton and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

David: Lacklustre, poor and we got what we deserved. That's on the players. Team selection and an inability to change or manage games is on Moyes. Stop picking our third and fourth choice centre-backs who concede two goals a game. Stop playing our second choice centre-back at right-back. He is not comfortable in that position? Start to play on the front foot instead of defending 0-0. I am Moyes out. The Friedkin Group should show some ambition and get Iraola.

Peter: The whole squad and management should apologise to Seamus Coleman for such an inept performance. If Mr Moyes thinks that a performance like that was nip and tuck he needs to take a look from my seat. O'Brien was gone after five minutes and many others looked exhausted. At half time subs needed to be made. Alcaraz, George, Patterson all would have injected pace and enthusiasm into a dire team performance! Back to the Moyes of old, I'm afraid.

Anne-Marie: A lacklustre effort from the beginning from a poor Everton team with careless passing throughout. The best effort and skill came from Dewsbury-Hall but Sunderland had control of the game throughout.

Ron: So disappointing for the last home game of the season, no spark in the team apart from Rohl and Garner.

Sunderland fans

Nigel: A great result but would be better not continually passing across the front of their own goal where they are prone to error. Reinildo was great and O'Nien was solid. Great goals late on as usual to clinch another three points!

Ray: Great second half. Aamazing season, manager of the year, team of the decade!!!

Peter: Sunderland were brilliant and if they could only add a killer touch to their play they would have won more comfortably. Luke O'Nien and Mukiele were solid at the back and Xhaka was superb again in midfield. If we can add a bit of quality to our front line, I think we'll be sure of another great season next year.

Craig: Some fans don't want us to get into Europe because we may not be ready. Forget that, let's do what we can to do and worry about being ready if we get there. Why would we turn Europe down?

Chelsea are targeting a keeper and are seriously considering a move for Sunderland's 23-year-old Dutchman Robin Roefs. (Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Dion Dublin and Mark Schwarzer join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday's and Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leeds 1-0 Burnley

• Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace

• Newcastle 3-1 West Ham

Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien said he's "very proud" of the team following their big win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The 3-1 victory sees Regis le Bris' side have a chance of qualifying for Europe in their first season back in the Premier League following promotion last season.

You can listen to the full interview above or on BBC Sounds

Find more audio content on Sunderland here

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

What a dream season it has been for Regis le Bris' Sunderland side on their return to the top flight for the first time since dropping out of the Premier League in 2016-17.

They then fell from the Championship and had a four-year spell in League One, but now are potentially 90 minutes from securing European football.

Sunderland's win, which takes them above Everton, leaves them ninth, one point behind Brentford in eighth and two points behind Brighton in seventh, although Chelsea in 10th have a game on the Black Cats.

With Manchester City beating Chelsea 1-0 in Saturday's FA Cup final, that means seventh in the Premier League would qualify for the Europa League, with eighth place going into the Conference League.

Sunderland's season has already seen them gain home and away wins over fierce rivals Newcastle and they have also beaten Chelsea and drawn with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

They have not been in the top nine in English football since 2000-01, when they came seventh.

What an occasion it promises to be at the Stadium of Light next Sunday when they entertain Chelsea.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to Sky Sports: "The first half was OK, not bad, but we didn't threaten the opponent's defence enough and conceded a goal on a set piece. Second half more ambitious, taking more risks and the subs helped. It was the most important statement at this stage in the season, that the group is still a unit. It's never easy, two games before the end to keep everyone aligned but this was the case. So I'm really pleased by the subs as well.

"We are becoming ambitious. It's reality now because we have one more game and we have the opportunity to achieve something really special. Now it's just a final and we'll see.

"It's the club and the team, the staff and the direction we are really well-aligned. It makes a difference at the end so I'm proud of that.

"Our fans were loud today so I imagine they will be louder next week. They deserve it, they are always really supportive. We have highs and lows and they were still behind us. I hope that we can enjoy the last fixture at home."

Message to players before next week? "Consistency, standards and ready to be competitive. You have to manage the expected and also the unexpected. If you are ready and prepare well you give yourself the best chance to be successful. Consistency, team work and connections."

Sunderland midfielder Enzo Le Fee speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We just said we played well in the first half but the last 30 metres we were a bit quiet. We needed more fire and I think we did well. The guys who came on had a perfect attitude and this is the team, the family we have had since the beginning of the season. We can be proud.

"The second goal, and even the third, can be the game. The reaction in the second half was perfect but after the first goal we kept going. That's the most important thing.

"Nobody likes defeat. Our strength is to be together in the good moments and the bad ones as well. What we did all season is always react in a good way and we did it after the first half today. We can be proud of us. At the beginning of the season we said we have to be a family and a team."

On goal celebration: "Since I was young, I liked Spiderman, my favourite hero. That's why and with my little brother so it's a sign for him. I should've done the celebration a long time ago but I didn't score. A good moment so I was happy to score in front of our fans."

On push for European football: "We want the best for this team always and we did well. We should be in a better position today because we had some games we should win as well but it wasn't the case. We can be proud. We keep working hard as we have all season. One more final to play at home against Chelsea. A good game to finish the season."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have gained more points from losing positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (22), while it's the Black Cats' most across a single campaign in the competition.

• Brian Brobbey has scored seven goals across 30 Premier League appearances this season – the most by a Sunderland player in their debut top-flight campaign with the club since Fabio Borini in 2013-14 (also seven).

• Sunderland's Chris Rigg provided his very first assist in the Premier League – becoming the youngest ever player to do so for the Black Cats in the competition (18y 333d).

Listen to more from Le Bris on BBC Radio Newcastle here

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

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Everton are unchanged from their last game, a 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace a week ago.

That means Seamus Coleman, who will be playing his last home game for the Toffees at the end of a 17-year spell with the club, is only among the substitutes.

Everton XI: Pickford, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Garner, Iroegbunam, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Rohl, Beto.

Subs: Travers, Patterson, Coleman, Dibling, Alcaraz, Armstrong, McNeil, Barry, George.

Sunderland make one change from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Manchester United on 9 May as Nilson Angulo comes in for Chemsdine Talbi, who is on the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mandava, Alderete, Geertruida, Mukiele, Sadiki, Xhaka, Angulo, Le Fee, Hume, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Rigg, O'Nien, Diarra, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Ta Bi.

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

• Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

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

• Everton v Sunderland

• Leeds v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Fulham

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

Kick-offs 15:00 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 Leeds v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v West Ham", for instance.

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

These sides are both in mid-table, and they have both gone a few weeks without winning now.

Performance-wise, they have not been terrible, but their results have tailed off a bit.

Everton have shipped a few goals recently, though and I can see David Moyes wanting them to get back to keeping a clean sheet.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here