Sunderland's Impressive Start in Premier League
Six games into the season, Sunderland is thriving in the Premier League.
After an eight-year absence, the Black Cats are relishing their return to top-flight football, with their recent victory over Nottingham Forest propelling them into the Champions League spots.
While few expect them to remain there until May, the team has already secured three wins, providing ample reason for optimism under manager Regis le Bris.
"To be competitive in this league, we must work together and face challenges as a unit," Le Bris stated to Sky Sports following their 1-0 win at the City Ground. "I am incredibly proud of our performance; we defended well, and our five substitutes made a significant impact. There is still room for improvement with the ball, though."
Despite the need for further development, Sunderland's current form suggests they may avoid the fate of the last two promoted teams, who were relegated immediately after their promotion.
Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland have collectively amassed 23 points from their first six matches, marking the best start for promoted teams in the Premier League since the 2017-18 season.
In fact, only five times in the history of the Premier League have promoted teams started a season with a better record.
This strong start is promising for their survival prospects, as historically, at least two of the three promoted teams that began so well have remained in the league by season's end.
"There is still a long way to go—we are just a few games in—but we must celebrate each positive moment and move on to the next challenge," said Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs to Sky Sports.
Sunderland has had the best start among the promoted teams, earning 11 points from their opening six games—the highest total for a promoted side in 13 years, since West Ham's performance in the 2012-13 season.
Only two promoted teams have ever begun a Premier League season better than Sunderland, both during the league's earlier years when the disparity between established and promoted teams was less pronounced.
Interestingly, of the seven teams that have recorded 11 or more points in their first six games, six—including Sunderland—were play-off winners.
Moreover, every team that has started a Premier League season with as many points as Sunderland has eventually survived relegation.
However, a word of caution for Black Cats supporters: Hull City managed to secure their survival only on the final day of the 2008-09 season, finishing with just 35 points.
So, what accounts for this season's trio of promoted teams starting so much stronger than Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton did last year?
The answer lies in their defensive capabilities; they have conceded eight fewer goals and allowed 32 fewer chances than last season's promoted teams.
While this year's promoted teams have not significantly increased their chances created compared to last year's, they have been more clinical in front of goal, scoring three more goals despite only taking nine additional shots and generating a similar quality of chances in terms of expected goals.
Thus, after years of conventional wisdom suggesting that a reliable goalscorer is crucial for survival in the Premier League, could Burnley, Leeds, and Sunderland demonstrate that defensive solidity is actually more vital?