Sunderland are enjoying themselves back in the Premier League this season and will hope to secure at least a top-half finish in the second half of the campaign.
Regis Le Bris' side had a brilliant 2025 when they won promotion via the play-offs, and they have so far competed superbly in the top flight.
Here we run down their top five performances from a memorable year.
5) Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland (Premier League, December 3, 2025)
Sunderland picked up a fully deserved point from their trip to Anfield in early December as the promoted side caused the struggling defending champions all sorts of problems.
Chemsdine Talbi's deflected shot sent the away end into raptures midway through the second half before Florian Wirtz's shot was turned into his own net by Nordi Mukiele to rescue a point for Liverpool.
The Black Cats finished the game having had six shots on target — two more than Arne Slot's side — and they also hit the woodwork twice.
4) Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League, December 14, 2025)
The first Premier League Wear-Tyne derby since 2016 turned out to be a special day for the hosts as they got the better of their local rivals amid a frenzied atmosphere at the Stadium of Light.
A tight game with few chances was settled by a bizarre own goal when Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade headed into his own net when trying to clear the ball for a corner, but the manner of the victory mattered little.
Sunderland fans stayed on long after the final whistle to celebrate a cherished victory in a derby that they hope will now become a regular fixture once again in the top flight.
3) Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland (Championship Play-off Final, May 24, 2025)
Sunderland had finished fourth, 16 points behind third-placed Sheffield United in the regular Championship table, but they emerged victorious at Wembley in the play-off final in May to seal their place in the Premier League.
It was a nervy affair as the Blades took the lead in the first half through Tyrese Campbell but the Black Cats hit back with two late goals.
First Eliezer Mayenda equalised on 76 minutes and, just as extra-time loomed, substitute Tommy Watson struck to secure Sunderland's return to the top flight for the first time in eight years.
2) Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland (Premier League, October 25, 2025)
Another late show from Sunderland saw them triumph at Chelsea in October — a result at the time which sent them up to the dizzying heights of second place in the Premier League.
Alejandro Garnacho had put the Blues in front before Wilson Isidor equalised for Le Bris' men. They once again showed their desire to fight to the end when Talbi scored the winner in the third minute of injury time.
1) Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal (Premier League, November 8, 2025)
Arsenal were expected to outclass the Black Cats when they visited the Stadium of Light in November but instead Sunderland stunned the Gunners with more injury-time heroics.
Dan Ballard's opener was cancelled out by goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard and Mikel Arteta's side were heading for a hard-fought win until Brian Brobbey grabbed a last-ditch equaliser.
