Sunderland are loving life back in the Premier League, especially at the Stadium of Light, where they pulled off a dramatic comeback to beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday.
WATCH — Sunderland v Brentford full match replay
The Black Cats thrashed West Ham 3-0 on opening day and Regis Le Bris’ side made it two wins in two home games thanks to Wilson Isidor’s 96th-minute winner against the Bees. Brentford were made to rue Kevin Schade’s failed penalty kick that would have put them ahead just before the hour mark.
Instead, it was 1-0 to Brentford after Igor Thiago headed home Frank Onyeka’s cross in the 77th minute, but Sunderland still had lots left in the tank for the home stretch. Enzo Le Fee equalized from the penalty spot in the 82nd to set the stage for the grand finale. Summer signing (and instant club captain) Granit Xhaka hooked a cross into the box from the left wing and found Isidor near post just outside the six-yard box.
What’s next?
- Crystal Palace vs Sunderland — Saturday, Sept. 13 (10 am ET)
- Brentford vs Chelsea — Saturday, Sept. 13 (3 pm ET)
Sunderland vs Brentford live updates - by Andy Edwards
Sunderland vs Brentford final score: 2-1
Goalscorers: Igor Thiago (77'), Enzo Le Fee (82'), Wilson Isidor (90'+6)
GOAL! Sunderland 2-1 Brentford: Isidor sends the Stadium of Light into hysteria (90'+6)
GOAL! Sunderland 1-1 Brentford: Le Fee strokes the penalty home (82')
GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Brentford: Thiago heads home Onyeka’s cross (77')
Sunderland starting lineup
Roefs - Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo - Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra - Talbi, Le Fee, Mayenda
Brentford starting lineup
Kelleher - Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter - Henderson, Yarmolyuk, Damsgaard - Ouattara, Schade, Thiago
How to watch Sunderland vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Saturday
Venue: Stadium of Light — Tyne and Wear
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live online via NBC.com
The Black Cats started new life in the Premier League on a flyer punking West Ham 3-0, but joy was short-lived as fellow promoted side Burnley blanked the Black Cats at Turf Moor in Week 2. Sunderland then slumped to a midweek League Cup exit at home to Huddersfield Town at midweek, and boss Regis Le Bris would love a return to winning ways at the Stadium of Light.
As for the Bees, they bounced back from a 3-1 loss at Nottingham Forest to take all the points in a mildly-surprising 1-0 win over Aston Villa. That should ease some of the nerves around new Bees boss Keith Andrews, who is hoping to find his best team with Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard out the door and Yoane Wissa still hoping to skip town.
Sunderland team news, focus
OUT: Daniel Ballard (groin), Luke O’Nien (shoulder), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Leo Fuhr Hjelde (achilles), Aji Alese (shoulder) | QUESTIONABLE: Niall Huggins (calf)
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Gustavo Nunes (thigh), Vitaly Janelt (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Yoane Wissa (disciplinary), Yunus Emre Konak (ankle), Paris Maghoma (other)
Sunderland vs Brentford prediction
The Stadium of Light was electric in Week 1, and will be looking for any reason to find and keep that current on Saturday. The Black Cats gets a boost in our minds for this, but they’ve also played a West Ham team who look anything but solid in addition to the failure to score against Burnley. We’ll stick with the Premier League mainstays until proven otherwise. Sunderland 0-1 Brentford.
