Sunderland in dreamland but Postecoglou still seeking first Forest win

NOTTINGHAM, England :Sunderland are only six games into their first Premier League campaign for nearly a decade but after Saturday's 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest have almost half the total amount of points they managed when they were relegated in 2017.

Regis Le Bris's side were among the favourites for the drop after returning to the top flight following a playoff victory over Sheffield United in May.

But under the Frenchman's watchful eye, they have been the surprise package of the season so far, winning three and drawing two of their opening six games to move into the top four with 11 points. In 2016-17 they managed 24 and finished rock bottom.

"It was good to win because it wasn't an easy challenge," Le Bris said. "It was our first away win in the league, so I'm really proud of our fans and our squad because we worked hard."

Omar Alderete's first-half goal was the difference between the two sides at the City Ground with Sunderland mounting a staunch rearguard action as Forest laid siege to their goal.

"They have many threats and are really good on the ball," Le Bris said. "After we scored the first goal, their substitutions added five more attackers but we expected that.

"We defended well with the back five. The players were well connected, they worked hard, and we had a good goalkeeper."

While Sunderland's fans are pinching themselves at seeing their side so high in the standings, Forest's might be scratching their heads at events at their club this season.

They began the season solidly enough but Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided them back into Europe with a seventh-placed finish last season, was sacked after a public fall-out with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou replaced him