Overview

• Sunderland beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 away, with Omar Alderete heading in from a Granit Xhaka free-kick in the first half.
• The result leaves Sunderland on 11 points from six matches and near the top five, a pace Forbes notes is the best by a promoted side in more than a decade.
• Goalkeeper Robin Roefs produced six saves at the City Ground and has been central to three clean sheets in six league games with only four goals conceded.
• Head coach Régis Le Bris praised Xhaka’s leadership, calling him a captain who ‘understands the game like a future coach,’ as Sunderland’s defensive shape continues to hold firm.
• The club’s summer outlay of around $190 million for 13 signings and early-window integration has drawn national praise, with Alan Shearer and Gary Neville lauding Sunderland’s performances as a tougher fixture run begins at Manchester United.