Sunderland are the only team in the Championship with a flawless record so far. While West Brom, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, and Sheffield United are all unbeaten, none have won every match.
In their most recent game, Sunderland secured a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth. Alan Browne scored his first goal for Sunderland six minutes into the second half, following an own goal by Zak Swanson that had given Portsmouth the lead before halftime. Romaine Mundle scored shortly after to seal the win and end any chance of a Portsmouth comeback. Luke O’Nien’s late own goal was the first Sunderland have conceded this season.
Sunderland’s strong start includes a 1-0 win against Burnley, a 4-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, and a 2-0 win at Cardiff City, despite losing Jack Clarke late in the transfer window. The team has the youngest average squad age in the Championship for the third consecutive season, with standout performances from Eliezar Mayenda, Chrig Rigg, and Jobe Bellingham.
Carlton Palmer has expressed cautious optimism about Sunderland’s prospects. He praised their impressive start and their top position in the league with 12 points but noted that it’s early to judge their promotion potential. Palmer highlighted Sunderland’s notable wins but cautioned that tougher challenges lie ahead, including upcoming matches against Plymouth and Middlesbrough. He also mentioned that while Sunderland have made a strong start, their ability to secure automatic promotion is uncertain, given the strength of teams like Burnley and Leeds.
Regis Le Bris has led Sunderland to their best season start in 99 years, with the team yet to drop any points this season. The inclusion of several teenagers in the squad has been noteworthy, though more experienced players like Browne and O’Nien will be crucial as the season progresses. Sunderland has yet to spend significantly from the funds raised by Clarke’s sale, but they may invest in January if they remain in contention for promotion. With many games still to come, Sunderland’s current form suggests they are in a strong position, provided they can maintain their intensity and depth.
