Sunderland’s dream return to the Premier League continued on Saturday as they came from behind to stun Chelsea 2–1 at Stamford Bridge, a result that lifted the promoted side to second in the table.
The Black Cats’ tally of 17 points from their opening nine matches marks their joint-best ever Premier League start, matching their total from the 1999/00 campaign, when they were also a promoted side.
But more impressively, it’s the best return by ANY promoted club at this stage of a season since Hull City 17 years ago in 2008/09.
Overall, Sunderland’s 17 points rank as the joint sixth-highest total ever recorded by a promoted team after nine fixtures.
It’s a historic position too. To find the last promoted team to finish a day in second place after nine matches, you have to go back 31 years to Nottingham Forest in 1994/95.
Most points by promoted clubs after nine matches
| Team | Season | Pts | Pos. |
| Nott'm Forest | 1994/95 | 21 | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 2008/09 | 20 | 3rd |
| Wigan | 2005/06 | 19 | 4th |
| Blackburn | 1992/93 | 18 | 2nd |
| Middlesbrough | 1995/96 | 18 | 4th |
| Sunderland | 1999/00 | 17 | 4th |
| Sunderland | 2025/26 | 17 | 2nd |
When asked whether Sunderland had entered the season expecting more than survival, manager Regis Le Bris said: “Not really, we are discovering a new league with a new squad… what we can control is how we are playing, the energy we can put on the pitch, the togetherness, and the game plan."
Sunderland now sit just two points behind leaders Arsenal, with their early-season form offering supporters plenty of optimism.