Sunderland have defied all pre-season expectations with a remarkable return to the Premier League, sitting 7th in the table with 26 points after 16 games – comfortably 10 points clear of the relegation zone and on course for their best top-flight campaign in decades.

Under Régis Le Bris, the Black Cats have bucked the recent trend of promoted teams struggling, becoming the best-performing newly promoted side since Hull City in 2008/09. Their pragmatic, physical style – built on defensive solidity, set-piece prowess, and high energy – has frustrated bigger sides while capitalizing on transitions.

Key to their success has been summer spending (a record for a promoted club) on experienced players like Granit Xhaka, who has been the heartbeat in midfield, leading in distance covered and providing leadership.

Sunderland’s points tally after early games matched or exceeded iconic promoted runs, such as Wigan Athletic’s in 2005/06 (the last side with a similar haul after 13 games) and even their own strong start in 1999/00.

Unlike the immediate relegations suffered by recent trios (Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton last season; others before), the Black Cats are a throwback to eras when promoted teams thrived – think Nottingham Forest or Blackburn in the 1990s.

The latest highlight: a tense 1-0 Tyne-Wear derby victory over rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light, sealed by a late own goal, sparking wild celebrations and underscoring their unbeaten home record.

Despite underlying metrics suggesting regression (low open-play xG), Le Bris’ side continue to overperform, blending youth with savvy signings. With fellow promoted teams Leeds and Burnley also competing strongly, this could mark the end of the “promoted curse.” A European push isn’t out of the question – Sunderland are proving they belong.

Real Madrid secured a vital 2-1 comeback victory over Deportivo Alavés, easing intense pressure on manager Xabi Alonso and closing the gap on league leaders Barcelona to four (4) points.

Kylian Mbappé, returning from a minor injury, opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a stunning individual effort. Latching onto a pass from Jude Bellingham, the French superstar used his pace to surge forward, cut inside, and curl a powerful right-footed strike into the top corner past Antonio Sivera–a true golazo that sparked Madrid into life.

Alavés fought back valiantly and equalized in the 68th minute through substitute Carlos Vicente, who controlled a precise through ball from Antonio Blanco and slotted past Thibaut Courtois after a VAR check confirmed it was onside. The winner came in the 76th minute: Vinícius Júnior powered forward on a surging run from midfield and squared perfectly for Rodrygo, who tapped home his first LaLiga goal since January to seal the three points.

Real Madrid Players rejoice after Rodrygo restored their lead

Despite the result, Madrid’s performance was far from convincing – lacking fluency and intensity for large periods, relying on individual brilliance from their attacking stars. Alavés impressed with their organization and nearly earned a point, remaining just above the relegation zone.

A crucial win for Los Blancos in a must-win fixture, providing temporary relief for Alonso amid recent poor form. Mbappé’s superhuman form continues, with this his 17th league goal of the season.

Nottingham Forest claimed a dramatic 2-1 win against FC Utrecht in the UEFA Europa League league phase at Stadion Galgenwaard, marking their first away victory in European competition in exactly 30 years—since a 2-1 triumph over Austria Vienna in the UEFA Cup on October 26, 1995.

This result boosts Forest to 11 points after six matches, positioning them eighth in the standings and firmly in contention for automatic knockout-phase qualification, with two games remaining.

Match Summary

Sean Dyche’s side, dominated possession and chances early on but had to weather a Utrecht resurgence. The Dutch side, win less in 17 major European games dating back to 2004, showed fight but couldn’t hold firm against Forest’s late push.

• First Half: A cagey opener with both teams probing. Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi forced two early saves from Utrecht keeper Vasilios Barkas, while Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz went close. Utrecht’s Miguel Rodriguez tested stand-in Forest goalkeeper John Victor (replacing the injured Matz Sels) with a long-range stunner, but the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
• Second Half: Forest struck first in the 52nd minute when Arnaud Kalimuendo bulldozed through two defenders, benefited from a deflection, and rifled home from a tight angle—his second goal in as many European games.
• Utrecht leveled in the 75th minute via a set-piece header from substitute Mike van der Hoorn, the former Swansea defender, peeling unmarked at the back post.
• Dramatic Winner: Dyche introduced Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus around the hour mark. In the 88th minute, Gibbs-White’s influence paid off: he fed Hudson-Odoi, whose cross found Dan Ndoye for a header parried by Barkas. Jesus, on for just 82 seconds, pounced on the rebound and slotted through the keeper’s legs for his fourth Europa League goal of the season.
• Jesus celebrated with his signature Dragon Ball Z-inspired “Kamehameha” gesture, a nod to his childhood fandom.

Forest finished with 19 shots (1.56 xG) to Utrecht’s 10 (0.75 xG), underlining their control despite the nervy finish.

Notably, all five of Forest’s Europa League goals under Dyche this season have come from set pieces.

This win ends a 30-year drought for Forest in European away fixtures, their last being that 1995 UEFA Cup success en route to the final (where they lost to Juventus).