Sunderland Achieves Best Second-Tier Start Since 1998

Since assuming the role of Sunderland’s head coach this summer, Regis Le Bris has achieved an average of precisely two points per game. Following a 1-1 draw against Millwall, Sunderland has now recorded its strongest start to a league season in the second tier since 1998. Even after Femi Azeez scored an equalizer deep into stoppage time on Saturday, Regis Le Bris’ team maintains its position at the top of the Championship table due to superior goal difference. The previous occasion the Black Cats demonstrated such a strong start in the second tier, they ultimately secured the league title with 105 points, finishing 18 points ahead of second-placed Bradford City. During that period, Peter Reid managed Sunderland, which benefited from a potent attacking duo comprising Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, who collectively contributed 41 league goals that season. In the 1998-99 season, Sunderland achieved a total of 31 league victories and suffered only three defeats. The subsequent season, the team concluded their first return to the top flight in seventh place, with Phillips netting 30 league goals, which earned him the European Golden Boot award.