Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Chelsea FC – Sunday 24th May 2026 - KO 16:00

clockstander said:

Diarra is a worry . I hope he comes back and looks the part next year as he has not lived up to expectation so far, no were near in fact.

Click to expand...

That depends on "expectation". He has had a bad injury , been to AFCON and played about 15 games.

He has already shown some serious ability to run with the ball through midfield, including a few times before he got injured. This is a game changing talent and few have it.

He changed the game at Everton, making two of the goals with smart running and decisive crossing. He has a goal in him and likes responsibility.

This boy is going to be an absolute star. And I'm happy to say I think we got him cheap.

What a journey for the lad...

rowley said:

That depends on "expectation". He has had a bad injury , been to AFCON and played about 15 games.

He has already shown some serious ability to run with the ball through midfield, including a few times before he got injured. This is a game changing talent and few have it.

He changed the game at Everton, making two of the goals with smart running and decisive crossing. He has a goal in him and likes responsibility.

This boy is going to be an absolute star. And I'm happy to say I think we got him cheap.

Click to expand...

Still only 22 as well. Probably come with big expectations with the fee but we forget how young he is.
I think theres a lot more to come from him with a full pre season behind him.

Still can’t comprehend how in controlled the lads were.

They knew they had it. They ****ing knew.

Think I said it last night but for all it wasn’t the absolute in the moment elation of last seasons playoffs it feels like something a whole lot bigger and deeper.

If we keep knocking years off these 5 year plans we gonna need to play Mars FC or r some **** in 3 years.

Plan 1 in 4
Plan 2 in 1

What’s next?

Just phenomenal what KLD and the recruitment group, coaching and general staff have done, and then the execution by this young team it’s just insane.

Break it down.

3-0 first game back.
Win away at Chelsea
2 Derby wins
Most points from behind in the league
Did I mention 2 derby wins?
Survived AFCON
Sold out every away end
Never lower than 14th
One more time, 2 derby wins
54 points.
Squad value at least tripled.

It is beyond ridiculous what has been achieved here. Absolute fantasy island stuff.

We came up through the playoffs after being written off before them.

We were written off all season, we weren’t even included in the chase for Europe graphics.

This club. This manager. This team. Us as fans.

The last couple years have just been everything.

Evil Jimmy Krankie said:

Now that the season is over does a league table get put together showing where each team would be if Chris Sutton got every prediction right? Cos we would be bottom or somewhere near it I reckon.

Click to expand...

Found one

Nads said:

Still can’t comprehend how in co trip the lads were.

They knew they had it. They ****ing knew.

Think I said it last night but for all it wasn’t the absolute in the moment elation of last seasons playoffs it feels like something a whole lot bigger and deeper.

If we keep knocking years off these 5 year plans we gonna need to play Mars FC or r some **** in 3 years.

Plan 1 in 4
Plan 2 in 1

What’s next?

Just phenomenal what KLD and the recruitment group, coaching and general staff have done, and then the execution by this young team it’s just insane.

Break it down.

3-0 first game back.
Win away at Chelsea
2 Derby wins
Most points from behind in the league
Did I mention 2 derby wins?
Survived AFCON
Sold out every away end
Never lower than 14th
One more time, 2 derby wins
54 points.
Squad value at least tripled.

It is beyond ridiculous what has been achieved here. Absolute fantasy island stuff.

We came up through the playoffs after being written off before them.

We were written off all season, we weren’t even included in the chase for Europe graphics.

This club. This manager. This team. Us as fans.

The last couple years have just been everything.

Click to expand...

If Carlsberg did posts.

Gil T Azell said:

If Carlsberg did posts.

Click to expand...

Mad thing is mate we are already better next season.

Rigg found his feet
Brobbey will have a preseason.
The lads signed have a year under them


It’s not stopping.

Who laughed at the 5 year plan? Back to the prem and qualify for Europe.

Still can't believe this whole season happened to be honest

You look at the teams in the europa league and there is some genuine quality and big clubs.
The format is essentially the same as the champions league. Guaranteed 8 games with the potential of us playing the likes of Juventus, Marseille etc at home.

The more I read about it, the bigger yesterdays result gets.

SAFCDRUM said:

Who laughed at the 5 year plan? Back to the prem and qualify for Europe.

Click to expand...

I just hoped to see us back in the Prem one day. This has gone way past my expectations but as Nads has said its going to get better.

Nads said:

Still can’t comprehend how in controlled the lads were.

They knew they had it. They ****ing knew.

Think I said it last night but for all it wasn’t the absolute in the moment elation of last seasons playoffs it feels like something a whole lot bigger and deeper.

If we keep knocking years off these 5 year plans we gonna need to play Mars FC or r some **** in 3 years.

Plan 1 in 4
Plan 2 in 1

What’s next?

Just phenomenal what KLD and the recruitment group, coaching and general staff have done, and then the execution by this young team it’s just insane.

Break it down.

3-0 first game back.
Win away at Chelsea
2 Derby wins
Most points from behind in the league
Did I mention 2 derby wins?
Survived AFCON
Sold out every away end
Never lower than 14th
One more time, 2 derby wins
54 points.
Squad value at least tripled.

It is beyond ridiculous what has been achieved here. Absolute fantasy island stuff.

We came up through the playoffs after being written off before them.

We were written off all season, we weren’t even included in the chase for Europe graphics.

This club. This manager. This team. Us as fans.

The last couple years have just been everything.

Click to expand...

You missed 1 more stat at the bottom there,
EUROPA LEAGUE QUALIFICATION.

rowley said:

That depends on "expectation". He has had a bad injury , been to AFCON and played about 15 games.

He has already shown some serious ability to run with the ball through midfield, including a few times before he got injured. This is a game changing talent and few have it.

He changed the game at Everton, making two of the goals with smart running and decisive crossing. He has a goal in him and likes responsibility.

This boy is going to be an absolute star. And I'm happy to say I think we got him cheap.

Click to expand...

I agree to some extent and my hope is that He and Rigg could repeat the Everton experience but that remains to be seen as does hopefully the Diarra you describe.

Chunksafc said:

You look at the teams in the europa league and there is some genuine quality and big clubs.
The format is essentially the same as the champions league. Guaranteed 8 games with the potential of us playing the likes of Juventus, Marseille etc at home.

The more I read about it, the bigger yesterdays result gets.

Click to expand...

It will be so real when the draw is made.

You’re pretty much guaranteed one of the monster clubs.

I hope we get Marseille for the LD family and we all want Milan away.

Bobs Pocket Meat said:

Shearer want a cnut

Click to expand...

There comes a point when 'banter' and natural bias becomes slightly embarrassing ...

... Shearer reached that point yesterday.

It's impossible for him to show any humility, or professionalism, he's an absolutely typical Mag.

There's no humour, or even well aimed clever sarcasm, just a sneering squint-eyed bile that almost chokes him ...

... fingers crossed for next season.

Hi guys, just wanted to say a huge congratulations on an outstanding season after your first year back in the Prem after nearly a decade away.

I doubt many of you will remember, but when we played in November at the SoL and the result was 2-2, I came on here and said I see no reason why you can't challenge for a European spot this season - how wrong was I? You didn't just challenge, you got one! But the reason I said that at the time was because you weren't just a plucky newcomer looking to survive, I could see a steely determination in your team to play and fight and take it to whoever your opponents were. I also thought your recruitment was excellent, you'd made some very shrewd additions, especially ex-Gunner Granit Xhaka.

I was never someone who hated/abused Xhaka when he was at Arsenal and felt he was a very integral cog to us - in terms of both leadership and qualities. I didn't even want us to sell him to Leverkusen, but I understood why we did. I also did feel a tinge of sadness that he's not part of our group to win the league. However, I am glad he's part of an exciting, ambitious project at Sunderland where he can also be appreciated by the fans.

Furthermore, didn't realise (if Wikipedia is correct) this will be your first European appearance since 1974 (Cup Wnners' Cup)? Surprising to read a club as big as yours hasn't been in Europe for that long. But at least that wait has come to an end and I look forward to seeing how you progress next season. European teams coming to your ground under the lights? The atmosphere will be raucous.

Congrats once again on a top season and all the best for next season too!

Smug in Boots said:

There comes a point when 'banter' and natural bias becomes slightly embarrassing ...

... Shearer reached that point yesterday.

It's impossible for him to show any humility, or professionalism, and he's an absolutely typical Mag.

There's no humour, or even well aimed clever sarcasm, just a sneering squint-eyed bile that almost chokes him ...

... fingers crossed for next season.

Click to expand...

I know plenty of mags and none of them can banter ,it always turns bitter and petty and, they have all strangely disappeared

Did someone mention....Europe???

Robref62 said:

Did someone mention....Europe???

Click to expand...

A few years back. A lot voted to leave iirc. That was meant to be a joke btw!

Morning all on this beautiful sunny BH morning. Oh what a day yesterday was . Good to put faces to people from here at the Museum. @Smug in Boots great to see you looking so well after a hectic time. So proud of the lads this season its been an absolute pleasure following this football team up and down the country and now its time to dust down the passport and the European adventure starts. Cant quite believe it if I'm honest. Anyway its just awesome what we've achieved. All been said about the game to be honest but the crowd and the atmosphere were quite unbelievable all game. Right must go dogs to walk and paracetamol required. Have a great summer everyone. Haway the lads.