Sunderland’s flying start to the Premier League season may have surprised the wider footballing world but it is no shock to those inside the club.

The Black Cats always believed their blueprint would give them a better chance of survival than some of the clubs that have been promoted and then fallen straight back through the relegation trapdoor.

But with 11 points on the board, there is a sense that they have the perfect platform to survive and thrive this season.

This is how they got here – and why they are here to stay.

Granit Xhaka

There was a moment during a break in play during Sunderland’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace earlier this month that felt instructive. While half of the visiting team went over the touchline to listen to head coach Regis Le Bris, there was another crop of pl

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