Follow live coverage as Sunderland face Brentford today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more.
The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United’s latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out.
Meanwhile, it’s Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Sunderland AFC 2 - 1 Brentford FC
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:22This is why the Premier League is hailed as the greatest competition in the world! Isidor nets a 96th-minute winner to give Sunderland an incredible 2-1 victory over Brentford at the Stadium of Light! The second half was packed with all the action! It started when Schade’s penalty was saved by Roefs, before Thiago's sumptuous header gave Brentford the lead. However, Sunderland didn’t let this dampen their spirits and responded when Le Fee netted a penalty to level the score. The hosts continued to press forward, and Xhaka’s wicked cross was headed in by the substitute Isidor to seal the three points in the most dramatic fashion. In such a close contest, Sunderland's expected goals (xG) narrowly eclipsed Brentford’s by 1.59 to 1.21. This result propels the Wearside outfit to sixth in the Premier League, while the Bees sit in the bottom half. Following the international break, Sunderland travel to Crystal Palace, while Brentford host Chelsea. This concludes our commentary on this enthralling Premier League match! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:18Ouattara has the unique opportunity to make history today. The 23-year-old joined the West Londoners for a club-record fee and netted the winner against Villa on his Premier League debut, and no Bees player has ever scored in their first two appearances in the competition for Brentford.
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:15Onyeka, who has only just been introduced, makes an instant impact with a delicious cross for Thiago! Andrews will be delighted!
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:141-0! BREAKTHROUGH FOR BRENTFORD! THIAGO WITH A CLASS HEADER! A lovely passing move gives Onyeka the ball, and he delivers the perfect cross for Thiago, whose header skims the underside of the crossbar and goes into the net!
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:10Can Sunderland hold on for successive Premier League wins at the Stadium of Light?
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:02FULL-TIME: SUNDERLAND 2-1 BRENTFORD
Sunderland vs Brentford
17:02Xhaka demonstrates his quality. His cross was whipped in with so much conviction and accuracy. What a comeback for the Black Cats!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:572-1 SUNDERLAND!!! UNBELIEVEABLE!!! ISIDOR COMPLETES THE TURNAROUND!!! Xhaka swings in a menacing delivery and Isidor gets between Collins and Van Den Berg to head past the goalkeeper. It has been checked and cleared by VAR. Sunderland are in dreamland!!!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:55Xhaka is booked for dissent.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:53Brentford have a free kick to slow things down. It has been a relentless second half!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:53The Stadium of Light is roaring! This time, Reinildo attempts to win a penalty, but he is only brushed by Onyeka.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:49Schade, who missed an earlier penalty, makes way for Carvalho.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:51There will be eight minutes of added time!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:49SUNDERLAND APPEAL FOR ANOTHER PENALTY BUT TAYLOR WAVES IT AWAY. Hume advances into the penalty area and is looking for a penalty under Henry's pressure, but there isn't enough contact.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:49A draw would be a fair reflection of the match, but given the drama of this second half, anything could happen in the final stages!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:49Guiu, who is on loan from Chelsea and netted in the previous match against Huddersfield, comes on for Diarra, who has been everywhere this afternoon!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:49HUGE CHANCE FOR BRENTFORD! Thiago turns provider and his cross is met by a deft flick from Ouatarra, but his effort is straight at the keeper. From such close range, he should be doing a lot better!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:44Diarra is looking lively! His shot whistles just wide of the post, and he hypes up the home crowd to intensify the atmosphere!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:43This game is so evenly balanced! It's so rare to see two penalties awarded for pulling down an opponent in the same match. Either team could win this! It's been an exhilarating half!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:40Henry is given a yellow card for conceding the penalty.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:401-1! LE FEE DISPATCHES THE PENALTY IN STYLE! Unlike Schade, Le Fee sends the goalkeeper the wrong way and Sunderland are back in this! Game on!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:39SUNDERLAND PENALTY! The hosts deliver a corner, and this time, Henry pulls down Diarra and Taylor awards another penalty! VAR have confirmed the decision!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:37Lewis-Potter, who has been defensively solid for Brentford, comes off for Henry.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:35Isidor is down after going up for a header with Kelleher! Quickly checked and cleared by VAR, and the striker is back to his feet.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:33This game is tantalisingly poised! Who will make the breakthrough? Both sides have displayed far more attacking intent in the second half!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:30Henderson is subbed for Onyeka, and the former Liverpool captain gets a standing ovation from the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:29Andrews looks to be turning to his bench to ready some reinforcements! Can the visitors grab a late winner?
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:27CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! Diarra latches onto a cross and can't get his effort on target! This match has erupted into life since the penalty save!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:25The penalty save is a lifeline for Sunderland! How will they react?
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:25Isidor, who scored against West Ham in the last league match at the Stadium of Light, replaces Mayenda.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:24Le Bris makes the first change of the afternoon as Talbi is withdrawn for Adingra.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:20Thiago is booked for a risky challenge on Diarra.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:19SCHADE'S PENALTY IS SAVED BY ROEFS!!! Schade takes a slow and short run-up, and the Sunderland keeper goes the right way to save the effort. You have to say it was a poor penalty!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:19Penalty Save Robin Roefs
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:18Diarra is also booked after complaining to the referee.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:18Reinildo is booked for the foul and dissent.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:18PENALTY FOR BRENTFORD! Reinildo is foolish. The defender needlessly pulls down Collins from the corner and Taylor points to the spot!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:17Alongside Mayenda, Thiago is another forward who has struggled to influence the game! The striker scored in the 2-0 win away at Bournemouth in the EFL Cup, but no such joy yet today...
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:15Kayode has been brilliant for Brentford this afternoon! Wins a free-kick after some solid defending! He is combative, robust and defensively disciplined.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:12Diarra plays a beautiful pass to Talbi, who should cross the ball, but he tries to cut in and loses possession. Audible signs of frustration inside the Stadium of Light!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:10Mukiele takes yet another long throw, but this tactic is yet to provide a convincing opportunity for the Black Cats.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:07No changes for either side at the break. Sunderland's attacking options, including Guiu, Isidor and Adingra, will be looking to get onto the pitch as soon as they can. While Carvalho, who netted in the previous outing at Bournemouth, could also be introduced soon.
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:06Hume's long-range effort is blocked and falls to Diarra, but he doesn't get the right connection, and his shot drifts harmlessly wide. Sunderland are still waiting for their first shot on target!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:04And we are underway at the Stadium of Light for the second half!
Sunderland vs Brentford
16:01Sunderland frontman Mayenda has struggled to get into the game so far, with just five touches in the first half. The youngster scored in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United but has been unable to get that space against a resolute Brentford defence. With Guiu and Isidor on the bench, Le Bris could look to make changes soon!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:59That’s half-time between Sunderland and Brentford with the score at 0-0! The main talking point of the first half will be Brentford’s disallowed goal. Andrews’ men thought they had opened the scoring when Collins picked out Ouattara with a delightful pass, allowing the former Bournemouth forward to race clear and coolly place his effort under Roefs. However, it wasn’t to be as Ouattara was adjudged to be narrowly offside and therefore a major let-off for Sunderland. Apart from this, the contest has been limited for chances. Sunderland have enjoyed 63.5% possession but are yet to register a shot on target. The expected goals (xG) are also close between the sides, with Brentford edging it by 0.23 to Sunderland’s 0.19. Brentford look dangerous on the counter, and Sunderland are intent on getting the ball out wide and swinging in crosses! Everything is to play for in this second half!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:49HALF-TIME: SUNDERLAND 0-0 BRENTFORD
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:49There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:49The ball breaks to Alderete on the edge of the area, and he attempts to fire a strike towards Kelleher, but the shot is smothered by a host of Brentford players.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:49Sunderland completed 530 passes against Burnley in their last game, their most ever in a Premier League match on record (since 2005-06). Granit Xhaka completed 93 of those – 14 more than any other Black Cats player in a top-flight match Opta has on record. Once again, Sunderland have had the majority of possession, but a notable opportunity hasn't come just yet!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:46Lots of holding at that Brentford corner. Collins ends up on the floor, but the referee is not interested.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:39Brentford's turn to attack and Lewis-Potter's delivery is headed away by Le Fee. Good defensive work rate showcased by the Frenchman!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:39Sunderland midfield does well to create an opening for Sadiki, but his through-ball is excellently read by Van Den Berg!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:39Ouattara's disallowed goal has been the standout moment of this clash! His pace and attacking instinct are a frightening prospect for any defensive line! Xhaka is unhappy with a foul by Yarmoliuk, but Anthony Taylor does well to diffuse the situation!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:37Sunderland have amassed a whopping 65.5% possession. Brentford are very content to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter-attack.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:35Yet another Sunderland cross is well dealt with by Brentford. This is a close contest so far!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:33Brentford look like a well-organised defensive unit that wants to spring forward on the counter. They're doing well to frustrate Sunderland so far after a frenetic start. The score remains 0-0.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:29In their previous 16 Premier League campaigns, only once have Sunderland succeeded in their first two home matches in a season, winning their opening two at the Stadium of Light in 2001-02 under Peter Reid.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:27Sunderland's game plan is very clear. The full-backs and wingers are looking to go high and wide everytime they are in possession!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:27Ouattara had just strayed offside, and the goal is rightly chalked off! However, that is a real warning sign for Sunderland of Brentford's Premier League quality and attacking danger!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:27BRENTFORD THOUGHT THEY HAD SCORED THROUGH OUATTARA BUT VAR RULES HE IS OFFSIDE! Collins intercepts a pass and drives forward before releasing an impeccable through-ball for the forward, who latches onto it and slots past Roefs. However, VAR has come into play here, and the goal is disallowed!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:25Kayode's throw-in is eventually cleared and the full-back fouls Reinildo to concede a free-kick.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:20Brentford look to have settled more now with some sustained periods of possession. Kayode is set to launch a long throw-in!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:20BIG OPENING FOR BRENTFORD! Damsgaard’s delightful dribble and cross set up Schade, but he is unbalanced and can’t direct his header on target!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:17Everytime Sunderland get the ball, they're looking for a cross! Hume's earlier delivery was dropped by Kelleher. The warning signs are there for Brentford!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:17Brentford will back themselves in this encounter. Despite losing 3-1 to Nottingham Forest, no team has won more away Premier League points than Brentford in 2025 (23 – W7 D2 L2). It’s already more away points than they managed in 2022 (22), 2023 (19), and 2024 (12).
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:16There is a feverish atmosphere in the Stadium of Light. Reinildo's effort is well blocked, and Diarra's cross is overhit. But it's been a positive start for Sunderland!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:15CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND AND THEY’RE CALLING FOR VAR! A scramble from a corner causes the ball to strike Kayode's body and Sunderland want a handball, but after a quick review, the play continues.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:13Frantic start to this game without any clear-cut openings just yet. Damsgaard was sensational for Brentford against Villa, and could be key again today!
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:10Early pressure and intensity from Sunderland! Le Bris will know that Sunderland’s home form will be vital if they want to secure safety. With the victory over West Ham in the opening game, the Frenchman became the sixth of the last seven Sunderland managers to win their first home Premier League match in charge – of those, the only one to win their first two home games was Gus Poyet in 2013.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:03Brentford have also made a mixed start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, losing 3-1 away at Nottingham Forest, before clinching a vital 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. These results mean that they’re currently tenth in the top-flight standings. In their EFL Cup adventure, Brentford impressively triumphed 2-0 away at Bournemouth. The West London outfit will be confident, having won their last eight Premier League matches against newly promoted teams by an aggregate score of 28-6, with their last defeat against one coming in March 2024 away at Burnley. Regis Le Bris and Keith Andrews are still adjusting to life as English top-flight managers, and with both clubs sitting on three points in the league standings, having won and lost a fixture each, it promises to be a mouthwatering encounter at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:03Sunderland enjoyed a dreamy start to life back in the Premier League with a 3-0 dismantling of a dismal West Ham United side. However, a 2-0 defeat against Burnley at Turf Moor was a reality check for the Black Cats. Despite this, the newly-promoted side still sits in seventh in the Premier League table. In a midweek outing in the EFL Cup, a much-changed Sunderland team lost on penalties to Huddersfield. This is a historic day, as the meeting between Sunderland and Brentford will be the 940th different fixture to have been played in the Premier League. They last faced each other in the top flight in the 1946-47 campaign, with the Black Cats winning 3-0 away and 2-1 at home.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:04Henderson, born in Sunderland, played for the club between 2008 and 2011, and makes his return to the stadium he once called home.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:01Following their EFL Cup loss, Le Bris has chosen to make nine changes with the likes of Xhaka, Sadiki, Diarra, Mayenda, and Talbi coming into the line-up. Le Fee and Mukiele are the only two players to keep their places, with the latter, who spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, set to make his Premier League debut after signing from European Champions Paris Saint-Germain. Sunderland defensive titan Daniel Ballard is absent from the squad after suffering an injury in the previous Premier League outing against Burnley.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:00Andrews has also opted for nine alterations after EFL Cup action, reinstating players such as Collins, Kayode, Henderson, Damsgaard, Ouattara, and Thiago to the starting XI. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is not involved. The striker’s future has been an intriguing storyline of the summer, but Andrews confirmed that the striker is back in team training after spending a period on strike. The Bees manager believes that Wissa still has a future at the club and would welcome his return to the squad, but this game comes too soon for that.
Sunderland vs Brentford
15:01Brentford have the kick-off as this Premier League match starts! The Stadium of Light is bouncing!
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:57The players are walking out onto the Stadium of Light pitch for their third match of the 2025-26 Premier League season!
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:52BRENTFORD SUBS: Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock, Mathias Jensen, Hakon Valdimarsson, Fabio Carvalho, Frank Onyeka, Antoni Milambo, Kristoffer Ajer.
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:52BRENTFORD XI (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher; Keane Lewis-Potter, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Michael Kayode; Jordan Henderson, Yehor Yarmoliuk; Kevin Schade, Mikkel Damsgaard, Dango Ouattara; Igor Thiago.
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:47SUNDERLAND SUBS: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Marc Guiu, Patrick Roberts, Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor, Jenson Seelt, Simon Adingra, Arthur Masuaku.
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:41SUNDERLAND XI (4-3-3): Robin Roefs; Reinildo Mandava, Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Trai Hume; Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra; Enzo Le Fee, Eliezer Mayenda, Chemsdine Talbi.
Sunderland vs Brentford
14:36Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brentford.
Sunderland vs Brentford
13:00Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
