August’s review
September’s review
October’s review
November’s review
Overall Position: 7th
Played: 5
Won: 1
Drawn: 3
Lost: 1
Points: 8
Sunderland remained in the top five going into December, continuing what had been a remarkable return to the Premier League. It had looked like a daunting month at the start of the season with fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City, as well as you-know-who combined with several players heading off to AFCON… but how did it transpire?
First up was a trip to Anfield to take on the champions, although Liverpool had been in poor form and Arne Slot was feeling the pressure. All was going well when Chemsdine Talbi’s deflected effort gave the lads the lead, after both Hume and Alderete had hit the woodwork. Liverpool got back into it with another deflection, this time off the unfortunate Nordi Mukiele but Sunderland had an unbelievable chance to take all three points right at the death. Robin Roefs set Wilson Isidor away with lots of ground to cover, but just Alisson to beat, he couldn’t quite apply the finish as Federico Chiesa showed impressive defensive instincts to get back and block the effort. One of those where it was frustrating we hadn’t managed to get what would’ve been a famous win and we probably deserved all three points.
Still, lots of confidence with which to take into the Manchester City game at the Etihad. No repeat of the Liverpool performance though as City dished out of dose of reality and a lesson in how good the best teams can be. Sunderland actually started the game decently, going toe to toe with a side vying with Arsenal for the league title, but everything changed when Ruben Dias was given too much time and space and rifled a shot from distance past Roefs, taking a deflection along the way. From that point it was all City, who added another couple of goals, with Rayan Cherki in particularly sparkling form, to seal a convincing 3-0 win. There was still time for Luke O’Nien to put in a horrendous tackle and get sent off sparking debate as to whether that could be his last ‘contribution’ in a Sunderland shirt.
Not the ideal preparation for the visit of The Visitors to the Stadium of Light for the first proper derby in nearly a decade. The club got almost everything spot on in the build-up, with an incredible tifo depicting a huge black cat capturing a measly magpie. A fairly low-quality game ensued with Sunderland defending resolutely but neither team showing a lot of attacking prowess.
It was £80m-worth of Nick Woltemade who broke the deadlock, as he powered an unstoppable header past his own goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. It was a finish that looked so intentional that some questioned whether he’d forgotten which end he was attacking so shortly after half time. Sunderland saw the game out, cue wild celebrations in the stands and a cheeky nod to the last, improper, derby day in the FA Cup in 2024, with the players grouping together for a photo op on the pitch at full time. Simon Moore the ringleader in what will almost certainly be the only time I mention him this season. It’s worth noting how much the club got right this time after the debacle in that aforementioned FA Cup tie. If KLD didn’t understand the rivalry back then, he certainly does now.
Still riding high from the derby victory, Sunderland travelled to the south coast to take on Brighton. This presented another test given that it was the first game since our African contingent had left for AFCON. Well almost, since Habib Diarra had special dispensation to stay at Sunderland for one more game, and Simon Adingra had been left out of the Ivory Coast squad meaning he could line up against his former side. It wasn’t to be a fairytale return for the winger on this occasion as an uneventful contest played out. A familiar story, with Sunderland defending resolutely despite missing Reinildo and with Geertruida filling in for Duracell-bunny Noah Sadiki in the middle of the park. It finished 0-0 and could be filed under the “good point” category.
The final game of the year came at the Stadium of Light against fellow promotees Leeds United in what was a real ding-dong battle to close out 2025. The aforementioned Adingra started again out wide and opened the scoring after an exquisite no-look through ball from Granit Xhaka. The Ivorian controlled the pass perfectly and curled a wonderful finish into the top corner. Bryan Brobbey had two opportunities to extend our lead before halftime, the latter chance coming after a great ball in from Adingra who was enjoying his best game so far in red and white. Leeds continued to battle and came out after the break in the ascendancy as Sunderland faced a period of intense pressure. The ever dangerous Dominic Calvert-Lewin eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser, finishing a move in which every Leeds player touched the ball. Sunderland finished the game the stronger side but couldn’t get the winner and it ended in stalemate. And with it, 2025 was done.
What a year for SAFC. Too many amazing moments to list but for most fans, one of the best and most enjoyable years following the club. We go into 2026 in 7th place in the Premier League and with bullish owners with deepish pockets ready to take the club to the next level.
