Sunderland's impressive Premier League campaign continued on Saturday with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. The Black Cats, despite missing several players due to the Africa Cup of Nations, displayed resilience and defensive solidity to secure a valuable point away from home.
The match saw Sunderland start strongly, enjoying the better of the first-half chances. Omar Alderete came close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half, his header forcing a good save onto the crossbar from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Brighton, however, grew into the game, with Yasin Ayari posing a threat, but Sunderland's defense remained resolute.
Brighton, who had previously maintained a 100% scoring record at home this season, struggled to break down Sunderland's organized backline. The Seagulls' manager, Fabian Hurzeler, acknowledged Sunderland's quality, admitting his team was frustrated despite creating enough opportunities to win the game in the second half. He also downplayed the absence of key players like Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck, insisting his squad was strong enough.
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris praised his team's composure and character, particularly after their recent Tyne-Wear derby victory over Newcastle. He acknowledged the impact of the AFCON absences but expressed confidence in his squad's depth.
The draw sees Sunderland maintain their strong position in the league table, currently sitting fifth and in contention for Champions League qualification. Their impressive form since promotion has been a major talking point this season. Brighton, meanwhile, are winless in their last four matches and occupy ninth place.
This result marked Brighton's first Premier League home game this season in which they failed to score. Sunderland, on the other hand, secured their sixth clean sheet of the campaign, matching their total from the entire 2016-17 season.
The traveling Sunderland supporters, many donning Santa hats with Le Bris's face, celebrated the hard-earned point, highlighting the strong connection between the team and its fans. As the year draws to a close, Sunderland can look back on a memorable 2025, while Brighton will be aiming to rediscover their form and push back up the table.
