Sunderland fans had every reason to linger long after the final whistle at the City Ground on September 27, 2025. Their team had just clinched a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, ending an eight-year wait for a Premier League away win. For a club that’s clawed its way back from League One to the top flight, this was more than just three points—it was a statement that the Black Cats are back and ready to scrap with the best.
The journey to this moment has been anything but easy. Sunderland’s return to the Premier League is just six games old, yet there’s a growing sense that they belong. Against Forest, the visitors had to dig deep, especially in a second half dominated by the home side. But in true Sunderland fashion, grit and belief saw them through. As head coach Régis Le Bris summed up after the match, "He showed this confidence." The "he" in question? Goalkeeper Robin Roefs, whose heroics between the sticks kept Forest at bay and secured a precious clean sheet.
Let’s rewind to the decisive moment. The only goal of the game came in the 38th minute. Granit Xhaka, already proving to be an inspired signing, delivered a pinpoint free-kick. Omar Alderete rose highest, meeting the ball with a bullet header that left Forest keeper Matz Sels with no chance. Forest players protested, claiming Nicolas Dominguez had been fouled in the buildup and that Neco Williams was obstructed as the ball came in. VAR took a look, but the goal stood. Sunderland had their lead, and Forest were left fuming.
From there, it was all about resilience. Nottingham Forest, under new head coach Ange Postecoglou, dominated possession but struggled to carve out clear chances. The hosts were desperate for a positive result—Postecoglou’s first home game had been eagerly anticipated after a grueling run of away fixtures. Yet, despite freshening up his starting eleven and receiving a warm welcome from the City Ground faithful, the Australian manager saw his team frustrated by a combination of Sunderland’s defensive discipline and Roefs’ reflexes.
Forest’s best opportunities came in flurries. Williams and Bakwa combined well on the right, but Chris Wood, wearing the captain’s armband, couldn’t find his range. Substitute Omari Hutchinson looked lively, drawing a sharp save from Roefs, while Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White injected energy but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Elliot Anderson, dubbed the "Geordie Maradona," tried his luck more than once, but Sunderland’s back line held firm.
For Sunderland, the second half was a test of character. Forest pressed forward relentlessly, but Roefs was equal to everything thrown at him. The Dutch shot-stopper, who had faced criticism after a slip-up against Aston Villa, put on a masterclass in goalkeeping. "He has great confidence but at the same time he wants to improve his game. He's really demanding with himself, which is really encouraging for the future," Le Bris told reporters. The manager’s faith was rewarded, with Roefs earning a standout 9/10 in post-match player ratings.
Roefs himself was beaming after the match. "What an evening," he said. "We showed mentality and we showed we give everything on the pitch. With this mentality, I think we can achieve a lot. To be honest with you, I didn't really feel like they were going to score even if we played on one hour more. So many balls came in the box and the guys fought for every ball and did so well." He also paid tribute to the travelling Sunderland fans, whose support he described as "massive" and vital to the team’s success.
Not every Black Cat had a perfect night. Arthur Masuaku, handed his first Premier League start due to suspension issues, struggled to contain Forest’s wide players and was substituted for Lutsharel Geertruida just before the hour mark. Yet the collective effort was enough. Granit Xhaka’s leadership in midfield and Omar Alderete’s defensive solidity gave Sunderland a backbone that’s been missing in years past.
For Forest, the frustration continues. This defeat stretched their winless run to seven games across all competitions, a worrying trend for Postecoglou, who admitted before the match that he still needed to "earn the love" of the Trentside crowd. While there were positives in terms of possession and some enterprising play in the first half, the lack of cutting edge proved costly. Missed chances and defensive lapses—particularly at set pieces—remain a concern. Sels, Milenkovic, and Morato all received middling ratings, while Dominguez’s return from injury was overshadowed by the free-kick incident that led to Sunderland’s winner.
Player ratings reflected the night’s story. For Sunderland: Roefs (9), Alderete (8), Xhaka (8), Mukiele (7), and Sadiki (7) were standouts. Masuaku, Ballard, Geertruida, Traore, Brobbey, and Adingra all received 4s, reflecting either struggles or limited impact. On the Forest side, Williams (7) and Anderson (6.5) were among the brighter spots, but Wood (5), Bakwa (5), and Ndoye (5) highlighted the team’s lack of sharpness in front of goal. Hutchinson and Jesus showed promise off the bench but couldn’t alter the outcome.
There’s no denying the significance of this result for Sunderland. Not only does it mark their first Premier League away win since 2017, it also propelled them into the top four—at least temporarily—an astonishing turnaround for a club that’s spent the better part of a decade outside the top flight. The confidence is palpable, but as Roefs cautioned, "There's a really long way to go, we are just a few games in, but we have to celebrate every good moment and move on to the next one."
For Forest, the search for a first win under Postecoglou goes on. With injuries and squad rotation still posing challenges, the Australian coach will be eager to find answers quickly to halt the slide. But for now, it’s Sunderland’s night—and their fans will savor this one for a long time to come.
