Sunderland’s defensive standing among Premier League rivals after Nottingham Forest collapse | OneFootball

Sunderland’s usually tight backline has sprung leaks, nine goals conceded in two games, a last-minute loss at Aston Villa then a 5-0 home mauling by Nottingham Forest after going 4-0 down inside 37 minutes. It comes after only 36 conceded across their first 32 matches.

Sunderland Echo highlights how the slump has altered their standing among Premier League defences.

Sunderland have now allowed 45 goals, level with Manchester United and Chelsea, with only eight teams conceding fewer, led by Arsenal on 26 and Manchester City on 29.

Aston Villa have conceded 41, Liverpool 43 and Brentford 44, while Nottingham Forest are also on 45.

Sunderland remain strong for clean sheets with 10, bettered only by Everton on 11, Crystal Palace on 12, Manchester City on 14 and Arsenal on 15. Robin Roefs has nine, and Melker Ellborg kept one on his debut in the 1-0 win at Leeds in early March.

Head coach Regis Le Bris now needs a swift reset for the final four games, with Sunderland four points off sixth, which may yet yield Champions League football, and two off the top eight. Next up are bottom side Wolves, already relegated, who have shipped the second-most goals, 61.

Source: Sunderland Echo