RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: General view inside the stadium as a tifo is displayed before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Fulham at Stadium of Light on August 30, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ben McKevitt says…
Sunderland’s rock at the back
Nordi Mukiele was simply incredible.
I’m not sure if I just haven’t seen him at centre half for a while and forgot that that’s what he always does, but he didn’t give Fulham a sniff.
Strong, fast, incisive and an incredible leader…it’s great to see him back in arguably his best position (he’s just great everywhere).
More energy on display from the Lads
A rare criticism that I think could’ve been levelled at the lads last week was their overall application.
It’s hard to say whether it was tiredness or attitude, but I’m happy to say that this wasn’t the case yesterday.
A typical battle-hardened defensive effort which saw out the game today. It was the likes of which we got very accustomed to last season, and long may it continue. A note for an excellent Granit Xhaka performance, too.
A stodgy first half performance
The first half was a bit of a shambles.
We had no ideas, no penetration and no endeavour at all.
While it didn’t ultimately cost us due to a much improved second half performance, it’s clear where we’re lacking (I don’t need to echo it again here) and re-emphasised the need for further recruitment ahead of tomorrow.
Some decent chances missed
You’d have hardly believed it at half time, but by the end of the game we’d had four clear cut opportunities, of which we only converted one.
Isidor redeemed his poor first effort which deflected off the post with the winner, but Enzo Le Fée and Romaine Mundle both squandered excellent opportunities in acres of space in the Fulham box.
Four great chances to score one isn’t a sustainable model — improvement needed.
Calum Mills says…
Wilson’s memorable week
New contract. Winning goal.
I felt his energy and dynamism changed the game in our favour, along with Habib Diarra’s. The pair came on and pressed their man and fortunately for us, it was the pair of them that linked up for our winning goal.
Although he missed arguably an easier chance five minutes prior, he didn’t let it affect him and he buried his second chance — the sign of a good and confident striker!
Mercurial Nordi Mukiele
So happy to have our versatile Frenchman back in the starting line up today.
Sky Sports gave Granit Xhaka man of the match, but for me it was Mukiele, with tackle after tackle, pass after pass and block after block.
The man was a colossus at the back, and Dan Ballard looks a lot more assured alongside him too!
Sunderland occasionally poor in possession
We were sloppy in possession of the ball in the first half.
I got overly frustrated with Nilson Angulo as he didn’t fancy taking his man on at all. He did it once and skinned his man easily but never tried again?
Our passing lacked any vigour and if not for Noah Sadiki’s ever-industrious performance, I’d probably have gone in at half time in a slightly more sour mood.
Habib Diarra’s cameo cut short
As I mentioned above, Diarra’s energy and direct nature changed the game…then he went and did his hamstring!
He was like a new signing for me this season as we didn’t see much of him last season. Great assist for Isidor, then he went off injured. I really hope it’s something minor and that a few days’ rest and ice packs can fix.
John Wilson says…
Welcome home, everyone!
Result aside, what a joy to be back. Like a family reunion.
I was looking for my Legends’ Way stone before the game and looking for my ticket in my wallet before going into the ground. Once inside, I renewed acquaintances and noticed the young lovebirds ahead of me will shortly be having a baby! Another family member!
New Granit Xhaka video, new tifo…we’re back!
A second half Sunderland recovery
After a turgid first half where some players seemed to be lacking confidence to try something different or take a man on, the second half was a little bit more connected.
Cue Wilson Isador in his shiny new blue boots to get our first points on the board. He’s certainly worth starting in some games.
A meagre Fulham following
I could almost count them — twenty six or twenty seven of them, and then they started singing “Shall we sing a song for you?”
Please, give it a rest.
Individual errors from the Lads
We’re still in the ‘rusty’ phase of the season — too many slack passes and indecisiveness. Robin Roefs is slow to release at times but it’ll come, as we have a very decent group of players.
Jon Guy says…
A tactical masterclass from Régis Le Bris
The boss once again shuffled the pack and out-thought the rival head coach.
Last season, we saw just how adept he was at changing tactics to make a difference and this was another example. Two of his substitutes combined to deliver the winner and I have to say that Wilson Isidor celebrated his new deal with a brilliant cameo.
A first league win in the bag
Three points — however they’re delivered — will go a long way to settling the nerves and will start to build a belief that we can make the Stadium of Light a fortress again this season given we lost to Fulham at home last year.
We deserved the win and if anything, it gave the management team a clear indication of where we need to focus before the transfer window closes.
Too much caution in the first half
The team really didn’t offer anything going forward in the first half and all too often a square pass was preferable to taking a risk on a pass to unlock Fulham’s defence.
It improved in the second half but at home, we need to be willing to play it forward.
More quality needed in possession
Having said we were playing square and backwards passes in an effort to create a chance, we got caught in possession or failed to find a player too many times.
Fulham weren’t capable of making us pa...
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