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John Wilson says…
I’m sure the players’ morale and confidence in their own ability has been high all season. As Wilson Isidor said, “Nobody believes in us, so let’s show them!”
Of course, winning away at the Club World Cup champions is going to give a boost to any team. As we keep hearing, consistency is key and approaching each game with the same respect and determination is the difference between an average team and a very good team.
I’d hope that Régis Le Bris has everyone’s feet on the ground and is instilling in them the ideal of tackling each game with the same vigour and commitment. This first season back in the Premier League — from a psychological aspect — could be the most advantageous for us.
Every ground, team and game is a new experience. Showing opponents what we’re capable of is a mission and I’m so sure we’ll survive this season that I’m already pondering how much next season, when everything isn’t brand new, games may become a little harder.
The win at Chelsea can only be a further shot in the arm for the club and the fans alike, but we must use that great result as a huge positive and not sit back and congratulate ourselves as though any job has been completed yet.
What it’s shown is that with the right approach, commitment and consistency, this team is capable of anything and that a top six place is less fanciful than it was a few weeks ago. Application is key. These are great times to be a Sunderland supporter. Enjoy the moments and what the heck, let’s allow ourselves to dream!
Sunderland’s English midfielder #11 Chris Rigg celebrates their win after the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on October 25, 2025. Sunderland won the game 2-1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Sunderland’s English midfielder #11 Chris Rigg celebrates their win after the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on October 25, 2025. Sunderland won the game 2-1. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Malc Dugdale says…
I think the win was an affirmation of how we should absolutely believe in ourselves as a squad and a club, rather than the main message being anything brand new.
Results like that tell the whole squad that they’re good enough to go toe-to-toe with any side and get something — whether at home or away, as we have the right skills, mindset and tactics to take on anyone.
While we’ve lost a couple on the road, the other affirmation was that we have the capability to learn from losses, to adapt and rotate and still secure great league points. The loss of Omar Alderete for a concussion protocol removed yet another player who’s been a revelation, but we switched personnel and shape, and won. Not a lot of sides can do that, especially away and against a team of a Chelsea’s stature right now.
‘Til The End has also been confirmed as the ongoing modus operandi at Premier League level rather than being something that we used to get through the playoffs. We can and will sit back and absorb pressure, and when the chances arise — however late they come — we can and will counter attack, no matter who the opponent is.
That victory showed the substitutes that they can play a massive part too. The ball from Lutsharel Geertruida to Brian Brobbey was a cracker, and their fellow sub Chemsdine Talbi finished with aplomb.
So many positives are there to be taken but in my view, the main one is “You’re very much good enough to excel at this level, so let’s go on and do that”.
Nic Wiseman says…
Prior to Saturday’a game, I had a slight inkling that we might get something from it.
Our unbeaten London record has gone under the radar somewhat. I thought that Chelsea had been a little unconvincing at home this season and had a soft underbelly, so I thought that a disciplined team sticking to instruction would have enough to see off a team who’ve flattered to deceive a little this season.
That the result wasn’t undeserved, a “smash and grab” or a fluke says it all — even Jason Cundy on TalkSport conceded that we were worth the win. And whilst this will be a fillip to the team and will confirm that the coaching staff’s ideas are working, I don’t think this result on its own will alter the mindset of the team.
The team ethic could be exemplified by Chemsdine Talbi’s post-match interview when he was told by the interviewer that we’d risen to second place in the table. He was adamant: “We’re not. The season has not ended”, he insisted, and he certainly couldn’t have been accused of getting carried away.
Witness when players have been asked if they’re happy that they’re a long way from the drop zone. The very premise puzzles them and it’s as if they’re thinking, “Why the hell do you think we’ll be anywhere near the relegation zone?”
The mentality and single-mindedness is so driven. The player recruitment has been second to none and the work ethic, expectations and natural ability and skill are something we haven’t seen before as fans of our great club.
Saturday’s result was a marker — not for the team, but for others to sit up and take notice. We’re here to win and don’t be surprised if it gets better.
Fiver for the league title, anyone?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Robin Roefs of Sunderland celebrates with his teammates following victory in the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on October 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Robin Roefs of Sunderland celebrates with his teammates following victory in the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on October 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Tom Albrighton says…
Any message sent regarding Sunderland’s win at Chelsea wasn’t a message to be sent back to the dressing room, but to the rest of the league instead.
Against the backdrop of a siege mentality where we’ve been written off by everyone from Premier League stalwarts to our promotion peers, the steely determination, the absolute belief from the squad in their own ability and fearlessness, and the message that echoed from Stamford Bridge at 5:00pm was less “We have arrived” and more “We’re here to stay”.
Saturday didn’t tell a Sunderland supporter or player anything they didn’t already know, but it alerted the rest of England’s top tier clubs that this is no longer a club that simply can’t get out of its own way like the decade preceding this one, and has instead been reborn as the club that will not fear, will not waver and will not give in.
“The club that couldn’t” has seamlessly transitioned into “The club that can”.