02/09/2024 14:01
Having scored six goals without reply in the opening two matches of the campaign, the Black Cats faced their biggest challenge to date in the third fixture of the new season as recently relegated Burnley arrived at the Stadium of Light having also taken two wins from two.
Whilst Burnley were forced to contend with the loss of a number of players as the end of the transfer window approached, Sunderland were able to head into the game largely unchanged with only Jack Clarke missing as he looked to finalise a move to Ipswich Town.
Romain Mundle came in in his place and would make the difference when he fired past James Trafford to open the scoring on 26 minutes after being played in by Patrick Roberts.
Burnley struggled to create any real chances and would only get one shot on target in the entire game, allowing Sunderland to wrap up the points despite the late dismissal of Dan Neil for picking up two yellow cards.
Three wins in a row marked the best start to a league campaign for nearly 100 years for the Bristol Street Motors-backed side, and things got even better on the long trip to the South coast to face Portsmouth.
The visitors grabbed the lead mid-way through the first half when Elizer Mayenda forced Will Norris into a save and the attempted clearance then ended up going into the net off Zak Swanson.
Mayenda was then involved in the second goal shortly after the half-time break as he miscued a shot into the path of summer signing Alan Browne to net for the first time since his arrival from Preston.
Mundle then made it 3-0 five minutes later and even though Luke O’Nien put through his own net late on, the Black Cats maintained their perfect start to go into the first international break of the campaign two points clear at the top.
Sunderland return to action on 14th September with a trip to Plymouth Argyle.
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