[BBC]Chris Collinson - BBC Sport statisticianMon, December 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM UTC·1 min readSunderland are the best promoted side we have seen at this stage of a Premier League season for 20 years, since Wigan Athletic in 2005-06 (Sunderland were also a promoted side that season but had amassed only five points after 13 games).
In Premier League history, only five promoted sides have ever had more points after 13 games and Sunderland fans are not quite partying like it's 1999. After all, Peter Reid's Black Cats had 27 points at this stage, thanks to Kevin Phillips' 13 goals in 13 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNevertheless, history offers great encouragement for Regis le Bris and co. Of the seven promoted teams before them to hit 20 or more points by this stage, five went on to finish in the top half of the table.
There are cautionary tales - Hull City slumped to 17th in 2008-09, but the broader trend suggests Sunderland's early-season form is more than a fast start.
If they maintain even a fraction of this level, they will be looking up the table, not over their shoulder.
