Brobbey-less Black Cats blunted - analysispublished at 19:09 BST
19:09 BST
Emma Smith BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Few Premier League managers will feel more antagonistic towards the extended international window than Sunderland boss Regis le Bris.
Star striker Brian Brobbey, who scored a hat-trick at Manchester City in the final league match before the break, suffered a minor hamstring injury playing in the Netherlands' draw with Germany.
The Dutch forward, along with starting centre-back Dan Ballard and key midfielder Habib Diarra, was ruled out of this match as Le Bris' squad was left thin just before a busy period including Europa League commitments.
Without Brobbey, Sunderland struggled to create many clear chances - even while playing against 10 men for more than 30 minutes.
Their injury worries deepened here with veteran wide man Thomas Meunier forced off in the first half with a knock.
Black Cats supporters have been clamouring for Malick Fofana to start matches, but even when the Belgian winger came off the bench he was unable to sharpen a worryingly blunt frontline.
Sunderland 0-2 Brighton: What Le Bris saidpublished at 18:37 BST
18:37 BST
Media caption,
Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, spoke to BBC Sport after his side's defeat by Brighton: "Disappointing result. I think we had several games within the game. The first half was balanced, it was intense and really tight. We created a few chances but we lacked quality in the final third.
"At the beginning of the second half we were not well organised from a throw-in. Then the red card and we play against a deep block.
"We didn't show the quality or composure. We have to improve in that regard.
"We tried until the end but lacked composure under pressure."
On balancing Premier League and European football over the busy period ahead: "We earned it last season, we are looking forward to it. It will not be easy, we will have big challenges, but this is what we want to play."
Sunderland have lost back-to-back Premier League home games without scoring for the first time since April/May 2017, with this the first time they have lost two of their opening three home matches of a league season since 2017-18.
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Sunderland v Brighton: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:19 BST 9 October
19:19 BST 9 October
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
Brighton look to continue the excellent form they showed prior to the international break against a Sunderland side who have won just once so far this season. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into the fixture at Stadium of Light.
How Brighton must wish the international break had come at a different time. Their final act of a brilliant September was to dismantle champions Arsenal with a performance that chairman Tony Bloom said was "arguably the best" in the club's 125-year history.
Their stunning run of form led to the Seagulls rightfully being rewarded as Fabian Hurzeler was named September's manager of the month and Pascal Gross player of the month, while captain Lewis Dunk took the honours for best goal after his dipping rocket against Coventry City.
The Premier League's leading scorers sit top or near the top of almost every major attracting metric so far this season and average a whopping 3.2 goals per game.
Their past two league matches have ended in an aggregate scoreline of 8-0 and they will be aiming to record three games in a row in the competition without conceding for only the second time. In total, they have kept five clean sheets in their eight matches this season.
But will any of their momentum be taken away by having three weeks off? The irony, of course, is that fixtures now come at a frightening rate, with seven matches in 21 days as their Conference League commitments really kick in.
But Bloom believes the club have more than enough to cope. "We've got a great squad and the biggest depth we've ever had," he said. "We don't have ceilings and we can finish high in the Premier League. Absolutely, if we have a really good season, we have a realistic chance of finishing in the top five."
Sunderland hit by Brobbey's absence
While Brighton cursed the arrival of the international break, Sunderland will have been relieved for a break after the rigours of facing Arsenal and Manchester City on back-to-back weekends.
Their 5-3 defeat at Etihad Stadium will go down as one of the games of the season, with Brian Brobbey becoming only the sixth player to score a Premier League hat-trick in defeat and only the fourth man to score a treble against the side starting the day top of the Premier League.
However, the Black Cats suffered a big blow when the striker suffered a minor hamstring injury playing in the Netherlands' draw with Germany and he has joined fellow key men Dan Ballard and Habib Diarra on the sidelines.
Head coach Regis le Bris will need them all back firing as soon as possible because, like Brighton, they are entering a punishing period of matches and also play seven times by the end of October.
Le Bris, who celebrated 100 matches in charge of the Black Cats in their defeat by City, has seen his side win just one of their opening five league matches, but at least the top two are now out of the way. They actually had a whopping xG of 4.15 compared to City's 2.72, but Brobbey's hat-trick in that game accounts for half their six league goals and they have underperformed in front of goal.
Sunderland have actually only been ahead for 3.9% of their game time this season, all of which came in the final 19 minutes of their win over Fulham.
Le Bris, who has lavished praise on Brighton in the build-up to this game, says his side have a "tough test" if they are to celebrate what would be only a second top-flight victory over the Seagulls, and their first since in May 1982.
'Seasons like this don't come around all the time'published at 11:04 BST 9 October
11:04 BST 9 October
Sunderland fan Eleanor McCabe says the Black Cats are "going to learn about our priorities" as Regis le Bris' side go into a spell of seven games in 21 days.
"Sunderland can't treat each competition like it is the only thing that matters," she said, with fixtures in the Premier League, Europa League and Carabao Cup to come before the end of October.
"At some point, choices have to be made. That is exciting as this a different problem to what Sunderland have had in the past decade. Last season was about proving we belong here. Now it feels different.
"We are travelling away to Milan and we're having European nights at the Stadium of Light. Equally, there's a bigger picture. We're building ourselves as an established Premier League club.
"I don't feel we should throw European games away, but we have to be clever.
"It is not about each individual match, it is about managing a season. I feel this run will tell us about our ambition.
"If Sunderland can come through these weeks still competitive - suddenly the conversation around this club becomes completely different.
"Maybe that's why I don't want us to be too cautious. Yes, the Premier League matters most, but seasons like this don't come around all the time."
How similar will the table look at the end of the season?published at 07:00 BST 9 October
07:00 BST 9 October
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Just five games in, it might seem a bit early to pay much attention to the Premier League table - but it's probably more settled than you think.
If we look at the Premier League after five games last season and where teams ultimately ended up, the final table was already starting to take shape as 13 of the 20 sides finished within four places of where they sat even at this early stage (65%).
Eventual champions Arsenal were second, Sunderland were already seventh - where they finished eight months later - and two of the three sides that were relegated were already in the bottom three.
The eventual champions have been in the top two at this point in the past four campaigns, suggesting - potential punishments aside - it will be Manchester City or Arsenal that lifts the trophy.
The top end of the table overall has sometimes settled surprisingly quickly in recent years. The top eight after five games in 2024-25 finished as the top eight at the end of that season (although not in the same order), while the top six in 2019-20 and top seven in 2016-17 were also in place at this early stage.
While being top after five games has not meant much in recent seasons, being bottom certainly has.
Tottenham could well be in trouble once again as the side bottom of the Premier League after five games has been relegated in six of the past seven seasons.
Being bottom this early did not used to be such a bad omen. Between 2013-14 and 2018-19, only one of the six sides that were propping up the table after five games ended up going down - Newcastle in 2015-16 - while Crystal Palace finished as high as 11th in 2017-18.
Looking at the relegation battle more broadly, at least one of the teams in the bottom three at this stage has been relegated in the past eight seasons - so one of Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry City are very likely to be heading to the Championship in May.
The pool of contestants for this season's relegation battle may already be decided too because the three sides that ultimately went down in the past three seasons were all in the bottom six after five games, which would add Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to the mix.
The last sides to be outside the bottom six at this point but relegated were Leeds United and Southampton in 2022-23, who were both in the top half (seventh and ninth). With their teams currently in eighth and 11th place, Hull City and Ipswich Town fans will hope that is still the case at the end of this campaign.
While the season may well have barely begun, the Premier League table is already starting to take shape.
Borini's celebrations at St James' Park 'forever in my memory'published at 19:10 BST 8 October
19:10 BST 8 October
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your favourite memories of former Sunderland striker Fabio Borini, who has announced his retirement from football at 35.
Here are some of your comments:
John: His opening goal for Sunderland against Manchester City in the 2014 League Cup final. Perhaps, given what we know now, he and his team should have winners' medals.
Charlie: Always liked Fabio and he scored in the big games. A great penalty taker and his unique celebration was, well, different.
Maxi: Two goals. The first against Manchester City at Wembley in the League Cup final. The second, the penalty against Newcastle at St James' Park and the subsequent celebrations. Forever in my memory.
Korky: Borini's penalty against Newcastle was brilliant! The way he actually laughed at the goalkeeper in the build-up as if to say "I'm going to put the ball past you" was really entertaining.
Jura: Yes, it's so easy to remember Borini by the vital goals he scored but don't forget he had a relentless work-rate, tactical versatility and an emotional connection to us fans.
Le Bris on injuries, finding 'consistency' and Brightonpublished at 14:57 BST 8 October
14:57 BST 8 October
Melissa Edwards BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Le Bris confirmed defender Dan Ballard has sustained a "medium-term injury" and will be sidelined for a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Brian Brobbey is likely to be available "soon" after picking up a minor injury while on Netherlands duty, and is on a similar schedule as Habib Diarra, who is expected to return in about a week.
On the striker situation while Brobbey is sidelined, Le Bris said: "I'm happy – we set a clear picture of this position with three strikers. I think Brian is in a really good place and he's started the season really well. A small injury is not a problem but it's true we'd like to have him fit. We have Wilson [Isidor], who is a really good striker with a different style of play but really competitive for the Premier League and showed his qualities last season."
Forward Nilson Angulo scored his first goal for Ecuador during the international break. Le Bris said the 23-year-old is one of the "young potentials in the squad" and now is "just the beginning" for him.
Black Cats captain Granit Xhaka posted on social media on Thursday, external that he has received a suspended fine from Swiss authorities for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. When le Bris was asked about it, he said: "No comment on external topics but [from] what I've seen during the international break, he has trained really well. It's positive. He's in a good place football-wise and for me that is the most important."
On Sunderland's start to the season, Le Bris said: "I'm happy when we win - that's important first of all. I'm not worried about the level of the squad. We identified clearly our strength and the different areas we have to improve. It's mainly about consistency. We have many ups and now the downs appear a bit too often, and it's about unforced errors rather than something well played from the opponent. How can we improve our accountability to be better? It's about us."
Brighton have scored three or more goals in four of their five Premier League games so far. On facing Fabian Hurzeler's in-form side, Le Bris said: "They are good - player of the month and manager of the month are well deserved. A perfect start."
He added: "A really good team, well coached, good energy, high press - they are modern and really efficient. We like this challenge. This is the Premier League and it's relentless. We don't want fear, we are just excited for the challenge and it's going to be a tough test."
Borini retires from football - have your saypublished at 09:19 BST 8 October
09:19 BST 8 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland striker Fabio Borini has announced his retirement from football at 35.
Writing on social media, he said: "I want to thank that kid who never stopped believing. And the man I am today will keep believing in the next opportunity, this time without a ball at my feet, but with that same belief. Always."
The Italian forward initially joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan from Liverpool in September 2013 before joining the club permanently in 2015 after a year back at Anfield.
Borini was part of the Sunderland side that completed a great escape in 2013-14 when Gus Poyet's side looked destined for relegation, sitting seven points off survival with six games remaining.
The former Chelsea man had many memorable moments at the Stadium of Light, none more so than when he came off the bench to net a stunning winner against Newcastle six minutes from time in 2013.
What was your favourite Borini moment during his time at the Stadium of Light?
Talbi's future and Europa League squad alterationspublished at 15:19 BST 7 October
15:19 BST 7 October
In this final part of a special Q&A, BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes assesses Chemsdine Talbis' prospects and looks at whether the injured Brian Brobbey might be replaced in the Europa League squad.
Terry asked: Does Talbi, who I think is the best winger we have but Regis le Bris doesn't seem to think so, have a future at the Stadium of Light?
Nick: Talbi is a talented winger and, given an opportunity in the first team, he could cement a place in the starting XI.
Unfortunately, the uncertainty about his future at the end of the summer did him few favours, allowing others - predominantly Nilson Angulo - to find themselves ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, with the heavy fixture schedule this season, I think Talbi will find himself back in the team even if he has to be patient for a few months. Le Bris does like him and didn't want him to leave.
Image source, Getty Images
Kate asked: If Brobbey's injury is long term (hopefully not), who do you think should be replaced in the Europa League roster? To me, Talbi is the natural replacement.
Nick: I expect Talbi to be included in the Europa League squad at some point, but I think it will be in January rather than this year.
Of course, the extent of Brobbey's injury is not yet known but there was some speculation it is not as bad as first feared. Fans must hope so because striking options are limited.
The priority for the club remains the Premier League and, in that respect, Wilson Isidor and Juan Riquelme can hopefully remain fit.
Le Bris' future and summer striker regretspublished at 09:03 BST 7 October
09:03 BST 7 October
In the second of a three-part Q&A with BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes, he looks at whether Regis le Bris' head could be turned by another club and any potential regrets over the Black Cats' summer recruitment.
Les asked: Do you think Le Bris will be tempted by interest from other clubs and would Sunderland entertain any approaches?
Nick: In short, I don't think he would be tempted. He is very happy in his own skin at Sunderland and I am sure the hierarchy would not entertain any approach for him.
Image source, Getty Images
David asked: Does the club regret not signing a striker in the summer with some European experience?
Nick: I'm not sure they regret it because they did try hard to bring in another forward but the market was such that it proved too difficult to get a player over the line.
I think Sunderland will be rueful if it turns out Brian Brobbey is injured for any length of time and they will be anxious that Wilson Isidor and Juan Riquelme stay fit. I am sure they will revisit the situation in January because I think they do realise it's not ideal having only two realistic frontline strikers - but they will also not want to be drawn into paying over the odds for a player. That was an issue that beset the club in the summer in a market which became overinflated and unrealistic.
Finding players like Riquelme would appear to be a more pragmatic and cost effective road to go down.
Return to this page later on Wednesday for the third and final part of the Q&A, which will look at Chemsdine Talbi's future and possible alternative options to Brobbey in the Europa League squad.
Defensive problems and Ballard's fitness issuespublished at 09:03 BST 7 October
09:03 BST 7 October
We asked you to send in your questions for BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes to answer. In the first part of a special Q&A, he addresses issues in defence and whether Dan Ballard's fitness is a cause for concern.
Richard asked: Last season, our near-impenetrable defence got us through. Despite more confident play, our defence has looked quite sloppy at times - even Robin Roefs doesn't seem as good as he was. What should Sunderland do about it?
Nick: The defence hasn't been as reliable or strong as last season, although I believe Kevin Danso has been a standout player. Both Ballard and Omar Alderete have not been as good as in 2025-26, and that has not helped. It's difficult to work out why they have both dipped from the high standards they set last season.
Of course, Ballard is now injured so I would expect Alderete or Nordi Mukiele to replace him because Thomas Meunier is a more than able replacement at right-back, as is Trai Hume, though it seems Regis le Bris now sees Hume more as a midfielder than a defender.
The defence is in transition too this season, with the additions of Danso and Dayann Methalie, so fans will hope they can get back to the high standards set last term, and that is true too of Roefs. He is a very talented young goalkeeper and still learning.
The Premier League is unrelenting and high pressured so I think we have to allow Roefs some breathing space in his development because he is destined to be a top keeper.
Image source, Getty Images
Maxi asked: Ballard is a great asset - does he have an injury reputation or am I being too harsh?
Nick: I don't think you're being harsh because his record unquestionably speaks for itself. I feel for him because he has been beleaguered by bad luck and he seems to have a chronic weakness when it comes to hamstrings.
He undoubtedly puts his body on the line every time he plays and that clearly puts it under under duress, perhaps more so than other outfield positions. Hopefully a solution can be found that gives Ballard more consistency when it comes to the number of matches he can play.
Come back to this page on Wednesday for parts two and three of the Q&A, which will look at subjects including whether the club would entertain any approaches for Le Bris, Chemsdine Talbi's future and whether injured Brian Brobbey could be replaced in the Europa League squad.
Rival clubs want range of punishments for Man Citypublished at 07:09 BST 7 October
07:09 BST 7 October
Image source, Getty Images
A number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be hit with both "retrospective punishments" and sanctions for the future for their mass financial rule-breaking, sources have told BBC Sport.
An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
City have appealed against the verdict, while the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is poised to look at the findings to see if there may be any suggestions of potential misconduct.
However, there is said to be a consensus among a group of top-flight club executives that if City's appeal is unsuccessful, the sanctions should make reparations for the period when they broke the rules, while also limiting their powers in future.
There is also a feeling from at least four Premier League boardrooms that a "one-hit" points deduction resulting in relegation to the Championship would be an insufficient punishment given the severity of City's wrongdoing.
Sunderland's season is about to get tougher...published at 09:19 BST 5 October
09:19 BST 5 October
Image source, Getty Images
Content creator and Sunderland fan Eleanor McCabe says the club's squad depth "is going to be the biggest question over the next few months".
"I think the most interesting thing about Sunderland at the moment is the start to the season is almost going to feel like the easy bit," she told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"We've had some really difficult games but we're coming out of the international break and things are starting to feel really different to how it did before.
"The games are going to come thick and fast, Europe is properly a part of the calendar now, and injuries are really starting to become a factor.
"We will start to find out if this squad is genuinely built for what Sunderland are trying to do this season. The international break has not helped with injury concerns for Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey.
"When you go from weekend league games to Thursday European matches you suddenly need a lot more than just a good starting XI. That for me is going to be the biggest question over the next few months.
"Last season we could build momentum from one game to the next but this season there has to be rotation. That is a completely different challenge.
"But, that is why I am still quite positive. The squad is deeper than last season, we made some good signings, there is more options, experience and competition for places. We are not just relying on the same XI every week to stay fit."
Image source, Getty Images
