Key events
68 mins: Dubravka is fuming with Hume, who he thinks has left one in on him after the goalkeeper slid out to collect the ball. Dubravka gives him a little push. Hume pleads his innocence but both players are booked. The Sunderland man did nothing front but Dubravka is probably just frustrated with life in general.
66 mins: Flemming drags a shot wide to show he can be a threat in the final 25 minutes.
64 mins: Diarra drives into the box and sends a pass into Brobbey, who holds off the defend and spins before shooting. Dubravka does well to save and the rebound it sent over by Mukiele.
63 mins: Another dreadful free-kick from Walker is cleared but Burnley come straight back, only to give the ball away again.
Broja and Flemming on for Foster and Florentino in the end. At least it’s a sign of intent from Parker.
62 mins: Broja and Flemming are stripped and ready. Foster and Edwards off?
61 mins: Reinildo does a little jig on the edge of the box, creating space for a shot but fires well over.
59 mins: Ward-Prowse’s delivery would be useful at this point. Parker might have been more sensible sending him on to get some minutes and make Burnley more dangerous from set-pieces.
57 mins: Edwards is fouled by Reinildo. It is a Burnley free-kick on the right which Walker punts into the box and Esteve flicks well over the ball.
55 mins: I suspect we will see Broja for Foster soon enough.
53 mins: I do enjoy the pantomime nature of booing Dubravka whenever he touches the ball. Pettiness is what football is all about for me.
Burnley are looking a lot better going forward in this half, almost as if attacking with intent is a better idea that constantly going backwards.
51 mins: Brobbey hold off Humphreys but after doing all the hard work, loops a pass straight out for a throw.
49 mins: Anthony is the next Burnley man to threaten. He goes down the left and fires over a cross which is well defended at the cost of a thrown. Walker slings it in but a Black Cat head is first to the ball.
47 mins: Laurent has gone into midfield and Burnley are playing with a back four. Can Edwards and Anthony make an impact on the wings?
Edwards starts positively, driving into the box and winning a corner.
Second half
Table of Contents
- 1. Second half
- 2. Sunderland sign Angulo in £17.5m deal
- 3. Half time! Sunderland 2-0 Burnley
- 4. GOAL! Sunderland 2-0 Burnley (Diarra, 32)
- 5. GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Burnley (Diarra, 9)
- 6. Kick off
- 7. Starting lineups
- 8. Preamble
- 9. What was the final score of the Sunderland vs Burnley match?
- 10. Sunderland v Burnley: Premier League – Live Updates
- 11. First Half – A Cautious Start
- 12. Second Half – Breakthrough and Burnley Response
- 13. Late Drama and Final Result
- 14. Tactical Analysis
- 15. Player Performances
- 16. Looking Ahead
- 17. Sunderland’s Recent Form (Last 5 Premier League Games)
- 18. Burnley’s Recent Form (Last 5 premier League Games)
We go again!
Laurent comes on for Tuanzebe.
Sunderland sign Angulo in £17.5m deal
Nilson Angulo joins Sunderland. The 22-year-old Ecuador winger arrives for a deal which could be worth up to £17.5m from Anderlecht.
Half-time reading:
Half time! Sunderland 2-0 Burnley
The Black Cats are a very efficient and effective Premier League team, creating and taking chances with great quality. Burnley look like a team on a Premier League farewell tour. I can’t see them turning this around.
45+2 mins: Obviously, there was no handball.
45+1 mins: Sunderland have a free-kick on the right. It is slung into the box and causing plenty of concern and it is bounces off heads and shoulders. Sunderland are claiming for a handball …
45 mins: Ugochukwu is booked for pulling back Diarra.
Four minutes added on.
44 mins: Supposedly Sunderland are just edging the possession stats but it does not feel like that. It’s games like this that shocks me Burnley only made one signing this window.
42 mins: Florentino seems to be the only Burnley player who wants to pass the ball forward.
40 mins: Burnley are yet to have a shot on target. Sunderland really are cruising here, not requiring to get out of second gear. It’s all far too simple for the hosts.
38 mins: Burnley have a corner on the left but Anthony does not beat the first man and then is offside when the ball comes back to him.
In other news … the first goal has been awarded to Tuanzebe as an own goal.
36 mins: Foster leads a break, laying the ball off to Anthony, who lifts a cross into the box, which Sunderland belatedly scramble away.
Mukiele is down an in need of treatment after being tackled by Foster.
34 mins: Edwards and Anthony are completely anonymous for Burnley. I can see why Edwards did well in Portugal but the Premier League just feels a little too fast for him. Anthony has a decent amount of talent but he is better suited to the Championship.
GOAL! The ball is sent out to the right to Mukiele in acres of space, allowing him to pull a cross back, which Florentino fails to cut out and then Diarra fires a shot towards Dubravka but he does not keep it out when he should do better.
GOAL! Sunderland 2-0 Burnley (Diarra, 32)
A sweeping counter attack, aided by some grim defending.
30 mins: Sunderland are not offering much going forward at the moment. Burnley are knocking it around nicely but without anything close to a threat.
As I question Sunderland going forward, Le Fee pings a shot straight at Dubravka from 20 yards.
28 mins: It very much feels like a second Sunderland goal will finish this game off and we can all go for a pint. Burnley, as often is the case, look blunter than your nan’s knives.
Joe Pearson asks: “Assuming Leeds avoid the drop, don’t you think that Dubravka could be just the player to resolve Farke’s goalkeeper dilemma?” Possibly just a little old at 37. He’s had a good season but can’t imagine anyone will rush to sign him.
26 mins: Tuanzebe has a simple five yards pass to Walker but instead sends the ball straight out of play.
24 mins: Edwards is fouled by Mukiele, although the replays show he got the ball. Burnley have a free-kick around 40 yards out, which Lucas Pires will take. It is a complete shambles and Paul Tierney awards a free-kick to Sunderland for something or other.
22 mins: Burnley are having a decent amount of the ball but lack the dynamism in possession to break the lines, so keep going backwards.
20 mins: The two times I’ve seen Sunderland in the flesh this season, they’ve been ruddy awful, losing at Burnley and Manchester United. They must be pleased I do not get see them much.
Brobbey easily holds off Esteve and spins him to create an attack. A touch night for the young Frenchman in the heart of the Burnley defence.
18 mins: Le Fee clips a cross towards the penalty spot and Talbi is there to attack it but he can’t make good enough contact on the volley.
16 mins: The Burnley centre-backs do not look to fancy facing Brobbey tonight. He is about twice the size as Esteve, to be fair.
Burnley have a chance to go through but Foster’s pass is awful, allowing Ballard to beat Anthony to it.
14 mins: Sunderland have a free0kick on the right, which is swung into the box. Esteve wins the first header bu the danger does not disappear. The ball eventually comes to Mukiele but his shot is beyond wild.
12 mins: As someone who watches a lot of Burnley, I spend much of that time debating who will be in the Premier League next season. Esteve, Walker, Florentino and Ugochukwu is my general answer from this starting XI.
GOAL! Brobbey uses his physicality to hold off the defender and play the ball straight back to Diarra. He dribbles into the box and shoots, hitting Tuanzebe on the way, leaving Dubravka stranded.
GOAL! Sunderland 1-0 Burnley (Diarra, 9)
It is a deflected finish but few inside the Stadium of Light are complaining.
8 mins: Burnley are knocking it around nicely but without causing any threat. They have put together around 30 passes. It ends with Edwards chipping a cross straight to Roefs.
6 mins: Burnley are yet to find their rhythm while Sunderland are starting to settle into theirs.
Sunderland’s Simon Adringa has completed his loan move to Monaco.
4 mins: Foster bizarrely controls the ball with his hand, giving Sunderland a free-kick around 35 yards from the Burnley goal. The ball goes into the box but Burnley managed to scramble it away.
2 mins: Burnley are in their light blue away kit, Sunderland a more traditional red and white stripes.
A few early boos for ex-Newcastle Dubravka. The ball seems to be running a touch slowly on the turf.
Kick off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Here come the teams …
Sunderland are still unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season. They might be missing Granit Xhaka but you must think they will fancy their chances tonight.
Regis Le Bris: “We need to balance our squad. We have to find adaptations, we have different setups available and I hope this one will work well.
“Step by step, today will be a tough challenge. The connection with the crowd is really important. We feel the responsibility.”
One key issue this season for Burnley has been the creation and finishing of chances. Parker has backed Foster today, having scored last weekend against Tottenham. The South African has not looked convincing as a Premier League striker and his three goals in 16 appearances this season has done nothing to change minds.
Pre-match reading.
Ward-Prowse on the bench of the Burnley. Ugochukwu and Florentino Luis are a decent pair, to be fair.
I covered the reverse of this fixture back in August. Burnley won 2-0 against a dreadful Sunderland side and I thought the Black Cats’ opening day win over West Ham was a flash in the pan. Always good to be reminded how wrong I generally am.
Get your deadline fill with John Brewin.
Starting lineups
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Talbi; Brobbey.
Subs: Moore, Cirkin, O’Nien, Geertruida, Rigg, Mundle, Isidor, Mayenda, Jen Jones
Burnley (5-2-2-1): Dúbravka; Walker, Tuanzebe, Estève, Humphreys, Lucas Pires; Ugochukwu, Florentino; Edwards, Anthony; Foster.
Subs: Weiss, Worrall, Bruun Larsen, Tchaouna, Flemming, Ward-Prowse, Broja, Hannibal, Broja
Preamble
After a joyous day of transfer chitter chatter, we get some actual football to finish it. Sunderland are sat in mid-table on 33 points and rapidly closing on the magical 40 mark. Few at the start of the season will have anticipating their smooth adaptation to the Premier League but smart recruitment and brilliant coaching has almost-certainly guaranteed them a second season at the top table.
The same, however, cannot be said of Burnley who are 11 points adrift of safety and in desperate need of putting a run of results together. They have not won in 14 Premier League games and a facing a swift return to the Championship. Scott Parker regularly stresses the “fine margins” in their defeats, which is fair because they are rarely thumped, but the truth of the matter is they are the second worst team in the league at the moment. Their squad just lacks the cutting edge required to get Burnley over the line in tight matches.
Let’s hope for a cracker.
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
What was the final score of the Sunderland vs Burnley match?
Sunderland v Burnley: Premier League – Live Updates
Stadium of light – February 2, 2026 – 21:38 GMT
The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light is electric as Sunderland prepare to face Burnley in a crucial Premier League clash. Both teams are battling for vital points, with Sunderland aiming to solidify their mid-table position and Burnley desperately needing a win to climb away from the relegation zone. This match promises a tense and tactical encounter.
First Half – A Cautious Start
The opening 15 minutes saw both sides adopt a cautious approach, prioritizing defensive solidity. Sunderland, playing in their customary red and white stripes, focused on controlling possession in midfield, with Jack Clarke looking particularly lively. Burnley, in their claret and blue, were content to absorb pressure and look for opportunities on the counter-attack.
* Key Moment (22nd minute): A hazardous free-kick from Burnley’s Josh Brownhill was well saved by Sunderland goalkeeper anthony Patterson.
* Possession Stats (30th minute): Sunderland 58% – Burnley 42%
* Shot on Target: Sunderland 1 – Burnley 0
The first clear chance fell to Sunderland’s Bradley Dack in the 35th minute, but his shot was blocked by a well-positioned Burnley defender. The half ended with the score remaining goalless, a fair reflection of a tightly contested period.
Second Half – Breakthrough and Burnley Response
the second half began with increased intensity. Sunderland continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute when Abdoullah Ba scored a stunning goal from outside the box, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures.
Though, Burnley responded quickly. In the 68th minute, Jay Rodriguez capitalized on a defensive error to level the score, silencing the home crowd.
* goal (55th minute): Abdoullah Ba (Sunderland) – A powerful strike from 25 yards.
* Goal (68th minute): Jay rodriguez (Burnley) – A close-range finish after a defensive mix-up.
* substitutions: Burnley manager Vincent Kompany brought on Samuel Bastien in the 72nd minute to add more steel to midfield. Sunderland responded with a change of their own, introducing Adil Aouchiche for Bradley Dack.
Late Drama and Final Result
The final 15 minutes were filled with drama. Both teams pushed for a winner, creating several half-chances. Sunderland’s Patrick Roberts had a shot deflected just wide in the 85th minute, while Burnley’s Lyle Foster saw his header saved by Patterson.
The game ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that leaves both teams with work to do. Sunderland will be disappointed not to have secured all three points, while Burnley will take heart from their resilience and fighting spirit.
Tactical Analysis
Sunderland’s manager, Michael Beale, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing attacking football.Though, Burnley’s disciplined defending limited their opportunities. Kompany’s Burnley side, meanwhile, focused on a compact 4-4-2, looking to exploit Sunderland’s weaknesses on the counter. The midfield battle was particularly intense, with both sides vying for control.
Player Performances
* Abdoullah Ba (sunderland): Scored a impressive goal and was a constant threat in midfield.
* Jay Rodriguez (Burnley): Showed his experience and composure to score a crucial equalizer.
* Anthony Patterson (Sunderland): Made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Looking Ahead
Sunderland’s next fixture is an away game against Brentford next weekend. Burnley face a tough home match against Manchester City. both teams will need to regroup and prepare for their upcoming challenges. The Premier League table remains incredibly tight, and every point is crucial in the battle for survival and European qualification.
Sunderland’s Recent Form (Last 5 Premier League Games)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | Tottenham | L 2-1 |
| 2026-01-27 | Fulham | W 3-0 |
| 2026-02-02 | Burnley | D 1-1 |
| 2026-02-09 | Brentford | |
| 2026-02-16 | Bournemouth |
Burnley’s Recent Form (Last 5 premier League Games)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-20 | Aston Villa | L 3-1 |
| 2026-01-27 | Luton town | L 2-1 |
| 2026-02-02 | Sunderland | D 1-1 |
| 2026-02-09 | Manchester City | |
| 2026-02-16 | Crystal Palace |
