Sunderland’s discipline in focus as Premier League card tables reveal the Black Cats’ edge | OneFootball

Sunderland’s Premier League return has been built on a combative out-of-possession game, conceding 36 in 31 matches, with only four sides having let in more.

They are 11th after a 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle United before the international break, seven games left and an outside tilt at Europe. Relegation trouble has never really materialised this campaign.

According to Sunderland Echo, only five teams have collected more cards than Sunderland, their 67 comprising 65 yellows and two reds.

They rank sixth for bookings on 65, level with Fulham. Brighton lead the division on 79, ahead of Tottenham on 75.

For dismissals they sit joint ninth on two. Chelsea have seven reds this season, with Bournemouth next on five.

Trai Hume has eight bookings, with Noah Sadiki and Reinildo Mandava on seven and Omar Alderete on six, the only Sunderland players above five.

Hume’s eight is the division’s third-highest, while Brighton’s Lewis Dunk tops the list on 10, the only player in double figures so far.

Reinildo was the first Sunderland player sent off in the league, dismissed after 33 minutes of September’s 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa. Luke O’Nien saw red six minutes after coming on at the end of December’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Enzo Le Fee, Alderete and Reinildo have committed 26 fouls each, with Dan Ballard and Hume on 25.

Source: Sunderland Echo