Brighton beat Sunderland to hold third place
Brighton won at Sunderland on 10 October to reach 13 points and hold third place in the Premier League.
It was a Matchweek 6 fixture at the Stadium of Light, listed in the league's October fixture update as a Saturday game. Brighton arrived as the division's top scorers. They left with another win banked. The Guardian
Jaouen Hadjam scored Brighton's second goal of the afternoon. Pascal Struijk was sent off in the second half, which left his side to finish with ten men. Robin Roefs was in goal for Sunderland.
That is two wins on the spin for Fabian Hürzeler's Brighton. They beat Arsenal 3-0 just before the international break. Régis Le Bris's Sunderland, by contrast, were left with four points and one league win from their opening games.
Brighton had scored 16 goals before this weekend, more than any other Premier League side. Premier League That attacking punch has carried them early in the season. It showed again on Wearside, even against a home crowd desperate to lift its team.
Hadjam is an unlikely scorer. He is a 23-year-old Algeria defender who joined Brighton from Young Boys in August. The Swiss champions confirmed his departure at the time, with Brighton announcing a contract until June 2031. Brighton & Hove Albion The fee was undisclosed, according to Reuters. Reuters
For Sunderland, the schedule does not ease. They were due to face Torreense in the Europa League on the Thursday night after this defeat. Captain Granit Xhaka had already spoken about embracing European football and said he wants “to see the Stadium of Light on fire”. SAFC
What makes this stand out is the contrast. Brighton look sharp, settled and full of goals. Sunderland are still searching for rhythm, with Europe now adding to the load.
Third place in October wins nothing. But it tells a story. Brighton are playing with confidence, and right now few sides in England are enjoying their football more.
