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THE BREAKDOWN: The secrets of Sunderland's success - the stat that proves Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki's extraordinary impact, how they use 'little triangles' in attack and the quality that sets Regis Le Bris apart from the rest

Sunderland clearly did not receive the memo. Promoted sides are not supposed to enjoy Premier League life as much as this, and certainly not a club that has been away for nearly a decade.

Newly-promoted clubs are supposed to go straight back down again. They are supposed to toil and suffer and prove that no amount of summer spending will be enough to keep you here. Did they not notice that all six promoted clubs over the past two seasons went straight back down again? Did they not read all the pieces about how it’s impossible to stay up these days?