Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland team have impressed after seven games since their promotion to the Premier League – especially their defensive record.
The Black Cats have conceded just six goals in seven games – fewer than Manchester City and Liverpool – and are currently ninth in the table.
Sunderland’s defensive record
Few would have predicted that Sunderland’s defensive record would be one of the strongest in the early season.
After seven games, Le Bris’ men have allowed just six goals, a figure only bettered by Arsenal (3), Tottenham (5), Crystal Palace (5) and Newcastle (5).
The underlying numbers underpin much of their defensive resilience. The expected goals against Sunderland (xGA) are close to the actual goals conceded, suggesting this isn’t just luck or goalkeeping heroics – it’s structural solidity.
Their compact center block, aggression in duels and solidarity have made them a nightmare to play through.
For a broader overview of how Sunderland compare in the league, read our full Premier League xG table analysis, which highlights where each team stands in terms of both attacking and defensive efficiency.
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What makes Sunderland so difficult to break down?
Under Le Bris, Sunderland have forged an identity based on detail and discipline. When they don’t have possession, they line up in a compact 4-4-2 that seamlessly transitions into a 4-3-3 as you press higher.
Their approach is aggressive but intelligent. When the opposition centre-back has the ball, forward Wilson Isidor jumps off the holding midfielder to put pressure on the defender, while Granit Xhaka supports the press and Nayef Alderete steps out of the backline.
The result is a defensive unit that closes down passing lanes while maintaining shape – a crucial difference from other promoted teams who tend to chase space rather than control it.
Le Bris’ Sunderland defend their box as if their lives depend on it. When it came down to ten men against Aston Villa, the players’ response – compactness, communication and a collective refusal to give up – summed up the culture he has built.
The Regis Le Bris Effect – tactical details and culture change
Appointing Regis Le Bris in the summer of 2024 now seems like a masterstroke. Sunderland’s recruitment department has identified a coach capable of implementing modern, detail-driven football while promoting resilience.
After gaining promotion last season, Le Bris have now formed an essentially new squad – with signings such as Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele, Robin Roefs, Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra and Reinildo – into one of the Premier League’s most cohesive units.
In addition to tactics, Le Bris also taught responsibility and faith. Every player understands his role, whether pressing high or defending deep.
This clear instruction is also visible on the pitch: the team deploys man-to-man when the moment comes, but they are equally content with a narrow 4-4-2, protecting central areas and forcing opponents wide.
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Sunderland in possession – Direct, but smart
For all the defensive praise, Sunderland are just as well coached with the ball. They don’t dominate possession like Arsenal or Manchester City, but they do use it with purpose.
In the 4-3-3 structure, Sunderland often play Isidor for a long time – not as a desperate outlet, but as a strategic trigger. The midfielders and wingers immediately swarm around him to compete for second balls, turning those recoveries into attacks.
This is direct football with details: instead of hopeful long balls, it is coordinated territorial gains.
On the flanks, Sunderland often form wide triangles – for example Trai Hume (the full-back) low with Chris Rigg (the central midfielder) on the inside and Chemsdine Talbi (the winger) wide – allowing them to combine neatly before switching plays or sending crosses.
It is a structure that keeps them balanced, compact and difficult to counter-attack.
Can Sunderland maintain this defensive level?
The biggest question now is sustainability. Sunderland’s xGA is roughly in line with their actual targets, but maintaining this level requires constant focus.
Le Bris’ system requires enormous physical effort: pressing triggers, compact space, constant communication. Fatigue, injuries or congestion in the match can test the depth of the squad.
There is also the issue of variance. Sunderland have benefited from disciplined match management and a few timely saves, but a regression to the mean is inevitable over a full season.
Still, the structure provides them with a platform to remain competitive in matches where newly promoted teams typically struggle.
The upcoming games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City will provide the toughest test yet. How Sunderland’s defensive organization deals with the league’s elite will tell us how far Le Bris’ methods can take them.
Sunderland have conceded just 6.70 (xG) – the fourth best record in the league. pic.twitter.com/HoGifQ3T5u
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) October 1, 2025
Can Sunderland survive?
In an era when newly promoted clubs often rely on financial firepower or defensive pragmatism, Sunderland have shown that tactical clarity and cultural cohesion can bridge the gap.
Le Bris’ system combines principles such as zonal structures, positional rotations and coordinated pressing with old-fashioned grit. The players buy in, defend as one and attack with purpose.
Whether they can maintain this level over 38 games remains to be seen, but Sunderland’s return to the Premier League is no fluke.
They are organised, brave and brilliantly coached, and for the first time in years the Stadium of Light feels like a tough place to go.
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