Sunderland win at Hull City to go top of the Championship
Click on the 'report' tab to read the report from the MKM Stadium
Isidor scores only goal of game on break after referee gets in way of Hull's Mehlem
Bedia hit crossbar for Tigers before goal
Black Cats move one point clear of Burnley
Tigers have lost back-to-back league games
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Image source, Rex FeaturesRelentless isn't it?
Sunderland could actually be knocked-off the top before they visit Luton on Wednesday.
A win for Leeds over Watford on Tuesday would put them back at the summit.
The lead has changed hands three times this weekend and the Championship continues to live up to its reputation.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Hull City manager Tim Walter was cautioned for protesting about the Sunderland winner and will now serve a one match touchline ban.
Walter has told BBC Radio Humberside "I went to the referee's room and they apologised for the situation but for me it's frustrating because he should know how we play and find another position at a set piece.
"The referee invited me in to apologise but it doesn't help me.
"But we had a lot of situations in the first-half and a lot of counter situations but our last decision wasn't the best.
"We created many chances but we weren't clinical enough and maybe lost our heads in the last five minutes.
"We had more courage in the second-half and we showed we can maybe be on the same page as them."
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Image source, Rex FeaturesIn such a highly competitive league, do you think Sunderland have what it takes to stay at or near the top of the table by the run-in?
They haven't tasted top-flight football since 2017.
Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
To read Adam Lanigan's report from the MKM Stadium, click on the report tab at the top of this page.
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland defender Chris Mepham speaking to Sky Sports: "I think you've got to be patient because they're a team that wants to have a lot of the ball and they're a difficult team to press because they're quite random at times.
"So we knew we would have to be patient without the ball but I think in the end we looked dangerous and up the other end, we were pretty solid today. It always gives you a good foundation to go and hurt them on the other side."
On winning today after losing the last two away games: "It's massive. It's a long season so it's not the be all and end all.
"But it shows where we are at the minute. We are a good team, we're progressing well and coming away from home against a good side like this isn't an easy task, so it's a massive three points."
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a good performance. Credit to the staff, we worked on transition this week in terms of every time the ball drops, just spin it in behind.
"And Wilson [Isidor] is so fast. Honestly, he burns us all in training and he got his just rewards for working really, really hard.
"Great finish, especially running away from their full-back because he's fast as well. That was some goal from him."
On the referee getting in the way before the goal: "I thought the ref was great. I thought it was good positioning from him.
"To be honest with you, I haven't seen it. I didn't know he was in the way. But it wouldn't matter, Wilson's that fast, no one is catching him."
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
How many of you were expecting Sunderland to be top of the table 10 games in?
Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Peter Swan
Former Hull City player on BBC Radio Humberside
Against a top team there, we should have got a point but we didn't.
If we had scored that goal, we would have said there is nothing wrong with that.
I wouldn't be blaming the referee for how we've been beaten today. We didn't do enough to win that game. Simple as.
FT: Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle
That's an excellent result. There are loads of positives out of that game. The first 30 minutes we were too comfortable and we needed to be ruthless.
But what a goal by Isidor. He ran 40 to 50 yards but his composure to dink it over the goalkeeper.
And what did Patterson have to do in that 90 minutes? The only criticism you could have is could we be more ruthless around their 18-yard box?
But you've got to say, that is a well-earned win and three points for the team today.
Chris Mepham is my man of the match today. Composure, calmness, responsibility, he had it all.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Image source, Rex FeaturesSunderland are top of the Championship.
It wasn't pretty and it won't live long in the memory but the Black Cats head back to the summit.
The goal which won it on 63 minutes will be argued by both sides - did referee Robert Madley influence the outcome when getting in the way of Hull City midfielder Marvin Mehlem?
He didn't touch the ball so by the letter of the law, it's play on.
Wison Isidor wasn't hanging around to find out as he sprinted from his own half to dink the ball over Ivor Pandur for this third goal in four games.
Hull City had their chances with Chris Bedia smacking an effort against a post and Mohamed Belloumi firing just wide.
The Black Cats are purring while the Tigers are left to lick their wounds.
Don't go anywhere - we'll get the views of both camps.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Up comes the Hull CIty goalkeeper Ivor Pandur for a corner.
But it's Joao Pedro who gets on the end of it with a header but it's over.
Pandur sprints back to his goal.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
We will have four minutes of time added on.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Although Chris Bedia hit the post for Hull City, in the world of football statistics that isn't a shot on target and hence they haven't managed such an effort yet.
Anthony Patterson in the Sunderland goal has had nothing to do - he's probably had busier Sunday afternoons having his roast dinner.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Hull City bring on Joao Pedro for Charlie Hughes and Oscar Zambrano for Xavier Simons.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Alan Browne trots on for Sunderland with Patrick Roberts making way.
This might be about shutting-up shop from Sunderland.
Roberts' last contribution was to be cautioned for a foul.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Peter Swan
Former Hull City player on BBC Radio Humberside
Mundle just got the better of Coyle for the cross. Rigg caught that as sweet as. I thought it had sneaked in at the near post but luckily for us it went wide and we're still in this game.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
17-year-old Chris Rigg is at the far post for Sunderland - he volleys - the Sunderland fans think it's in - it isn't - it hits the side netting.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Sunderland 10 minutes from going top of the Championship.
Hull City are still pressing BUT the closest they've come is Chris Bedia's effort which struck a post.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Chris Bedia is on the end of a Hull City cross but his header is wide.
The home side have settled again but need a goal.
Hull City 0-1 Sunderland
Image source, Rex FeaturesWilson Isidor has done his work for Sunderland today.
The goalscorer is off and on comes former Hull City man Aaron Connolly for the visitors.
You may have seen the personal struggles Connolly has bravely been talking about in the last couple of weeks.
Wilson Isidor has scored three goals since his loan move from Zenit St Petersburg
Wilson Isidor's composed second-half strike was enough to send Sunderland back to the top of the Championship as they edged out Hull City in controversial fashion.
The French forward led a counter-attack from inside his own half for his third goal in four games as the Black Cats jumped a point above Burnley, who had won at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
But Hull were furious the 63rd-minute strike was allowed to stand after they felt referee Robert Madley got in the way of Marvin Mehlem, causing the German to lose the ball that led to the swift Sunderland break.
Defender Alfie Jones and assistant head coach Julian Hubner were booked for their protests, while head coach Tim Walter was shown a yellow card for approaching the referee at full-time to vent his anger.
Walter's third booking of the season means he will now serve a one-game touchline ban and miss Wednesday's home meeting with second-placed Burnley.
The Tigers, who hit the woodwork through Chris Bedia with the score goalless, remain in 14th after a second consecutive loss.
Both sides were relegated from the Premier League seven years ago and in that time, each dropped into League One but has climbed back to this level.
Ownerships have changed, managers have come and gone but the ambition to return to the top flight is as strong as ever.
They have each started this campaign with bosses unknown to many, but while German Walter has had a mixed start with Hull, Frenchman Regis le Bris has hit the ground running at Sunderland.
That showed, albeit in a very low key first half, as the Black Cats went closer to scoring, with Patrick Roberts having a cross-shot saved by Ivor Pandur's foot and Jobe Bellingham's 20-yard low strike not far past the post.
But Hull were quicker out of the blocks after the break and unlucky not to take the lead when Ivory Coast striker Bedia found a pocket of space in the area and rattled the angle of post and bar with a fierce effort.
However, the game's pivotal moment arrived less than 10 minutes later.
The move came from a Tigers corner, which they had worked short and played back towards Mehlem on the edge of the Sunderland area.
It appeared the referee may have hindered his view when receiving the ball, but midfielder Mehlem dawdled and was robbed by Dan Neil who sent Isidor one on one against last man Cody Drameh.
The striker showed pace and strength to shrug off the Hull defender, before lifting it delicately over Pandur once inside the area.
It was a third goal in his last four games and his loan move from Russian side Zenit appears to have given Sunderland that cutting edge up front they have desperately wanted.
Hull did not fashion any chances of note to force an equaliser as Sunderland held on for a seventh win in their opening 10 games.
Both sides are back in action on Wednesday as Hull face another tough test against Burnley, while Sunderland visit Luton Town.
Hull City head coach Tim Walter told BBC Radio Humberside:
"I went to the referee's room and they apologised for the situation but for me it's frustrating because he should know how we play and find another position at a set-piece.
"The referee invited me in to apologise but it doesn't help me.
"But we had a lot of situations in the first half and a lot of counter situations but our last decision wasn't the best.
"We created many chances but we weren't clinical enough and maybe lost our heads in the last five minutes.
"We had more courage in the second half and we showed we can maybe be on the same page as them."
Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris:
"It's difficult to win away, especially at Hull. In the first half, we dominated the ball but failed to break the final third.
"The scenario in the second half was different, they kept the ball and it was not easy to deal with the way they build up the game and we did well.
"The momentum was with them and they had a big chance to score and they didn't. We were prepared to use our counter attacks as we had that strength and Wilson made the difference."
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 22 |
| |
| 2 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 21 |
| |
| 3 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 19 |
| |
| 4 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 19 |
| |
| 5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 18 |
| |
| 6 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 18 |
| |
| 7 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 16 |
| |
| 8 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 17 | -3 | 16 |
| |
| 9 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 14 |
| |
| 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 14 |
| |
| 11 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 13 |
| |
| 12 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| |
| 13 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 12 |
| |
| 14 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 12 |
| |
| 15 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 12 |
| |
| 16 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 13 | -2 | 11 |
| |
| 17 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 11 |
| |
| 18 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 11 |
| |
| 19 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 11 |
| |
| 20 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 10 |
| |
| 21 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 8 |
| |
| 22 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 8 |
| |
| 23 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 8 |
| |
| 24 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 7 |
|
Manager: Tim Walter
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Régis Le Bris
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Tim Walter
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Régis Le Bris
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Championship
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Hull City are looking to win consecutive league games against Sunderland for the first time since December 2014.
Sunderland are unbeaten in six league visits to Hull (W2 D4) since losing 1-0 in November 2013 under Gus Poyet.
Hull have won three of their last four league games, although they lost 4-0 to Norwich in their last game which was their heaviest league defeat since losing 5-0 to Bristol City in April 2022.
Hull City’s Liam Millar has the best average progressive ball carry distance of any Championship player to feature in at least 100 minutes of action this season, progressing the ball upfield an average of 212 metres per 90 minutes.
Sunderland’s 17-year-old midfielder Chris Rigg scored his fourth Championship goal in their 2-2 draw with Leeds. Only four players have scored five Championship goals before turning 18 – Ryan Sessegnon (21), Connor Wickham (10), Gareth Bale (5) and Harvey Elliott (5).
